The workshop organized by the Center for the Study of Hellenic and Latin Literature and the Center for the Study of Modern Greek Dialects and Idioms of the Academy of Athens with the title “Classical Education in Greek Education” on the occasion of the World Day of Greek Language on Friday, February 7, 2025 in the East Hall of the Academy of Athens.

The aim of the conference was to highlight the importance of the Greek language and classical education, focusing on experiential teaching and the contemporary challenges facing the teaching of Ancient Greek in Greece, as well as to revive the debate on the re-establishment of classical Lyceums.

The conference was opened by the President of the Academy of Athens, Mr. Michalis Tiberios and was followed by the address of the Secretary for Publications of the Academy of Athens and Supervisor of the Center for the Study of Greek and Latin Literature, Mr. Antonios Regakos.

The Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Kyriakos Pierrakakis, on behalf of His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens, Archimandrite Father Isidoros Katsos, the Vice-Rector of the University of Athens Sofia Papaioannou delivered a greeting. The speakers, professors from Greece and abroad, developed the theme of classical education, emphasizing the importance of the experiential method of teaching and its role in preparing young people for the future.

Christoforos Charalambakis (Academic) referred to the strengthening of classical education in schools, Mauro Agosto (Pontificia Università Lateranense) presented the successful experience of Classical Lyceums in Italy, while Steven Hunt (University of Cambridge) and Joseph Conlon (Ralston College) referred to the innovative teaching approaches applied abroad for the teaching of Ancient Greek. Maria Efthymiou (EKPA) highlighted the timeless value of the Greek language and its impact on the development of Western thought, while Yannis Kargakos (Arsakeia Schools) referred to the challenges of the Greek educational system. Sophia Goula (Hellenic Education) presented experiential teaching methods for primary school children, while Georgia Xanthaki – Karamanou presented the challenges of the Greek language and culture.

Evangelos Alexiou (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) stressed the importance of teaching ancient texts and the connection between ancient authors and contemporary thought. Nikoletta Kokosioli, philologist and representative of the Paideia Institute, presented the modern methods of teaching Ancient Greek, highlighting the importance of the experiential approach for the consolidation of the language in students. Yannis Mastrogeorgiou spoke about classical education in the age of Artificial Intelligence, while Giorgio Filieri from Sternatia, one of the Greek-speaking villages of lower Italy, spoke about the Griko dialect and the importance of preserving this living linguistic heritage, which connects modern Greek communities with ancient Greece and tradition.

The event was concluded with a moving performance by a group of elementary school students of Greek Education, who, honoring the World Greek Language Day, presented the timelessness of the language through the centuries through ancient and modern Greek texts, accompanied by the ancient lyre of Nikos Xanthoulis.

World Greek Language Day is celebrated every year on February 9, the day of the death of our national poet Dionysios Solomos, in order to honour the timeless value and richness of the Greek language, which has had a significant impact on culture and thought worldwide.

The conference, which lasted about 7 hours, was attended by a large number of people in person, and attracted the interest of schools from all over Greece, with participation from countries such as Uruguay and China via the internet, demonstrating the international interest in the Greek language and culture.

The conference was moderated by Eugenia Manolidou and was held with the kind support of “Europe Insurance”.