The 12th International Summer University officially opened at the Rex Vowels Theatre at UNSW Sydney on Monday, September 7, bringing together academics, government representatives, community leaders and students to examine the future of the Greek language in Australia.
This year’s program is titled Greek Language, Culture and Media – The Greek Language in Australia: From Memory to the Future.
The summer university is being held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, and with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The opening ceremony featured recorded messages from Greece’s Minister for Education, Religious Affairs and Sport, Sofia Zacharaki, and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs responsible for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos.
NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis, Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos and Kieran McKenna, the CEO of event sponsor Bank of Sydney, were among those who delivered addresses. Representatives of the NSW Opposition, the academic community and Greek Australian organisations also participated.
In attendance were also the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, George Skemperis, the Consul General of Greece in Adelaide, Dr Alexandra Theodoropoulou, the event’s Founder Professor Nikoletta Tsitsanoudis-Mallidis, and co-organiser Vasilis Adrahtas.
Students from Sans Souci Public School performed Greek songs during the ceremony, bringing a musical element to the official proceedings.
The program will continue throughout the week with presentations, speeches and discussions examining the enduring presence, development and future prospects of the Greek language in Australia.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos
