AIX-EN-PROVENCE, FRANCE – In the heart of Southern France, the organized Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence has been a vibrant point of reference for the Hellenes of the region in recent years. The president, Vicky Voulgaridi, spoke to The National Herald about the need for connection, solidarity, and the preservation of Greek identity. She discussed the activities of the Community, which serve as a dynamic vehicle of culture and social cohesion.
“Our vision is simple but essential: every Greek who finds himself in our city will find open arms and will not feel alone for even a moment in a foreign country,” she emphasized.
The Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence was founded in 2021, at a time when the Greek presence in the region had been significantly strengthened. Since 2016, particularly due to the economic crisis in Greece, many Greeks have chosen to settle in Aix-en-Provence and in the South of France in general, seeking new professional and personal prospects. A number of Greek students also choose the city for their studies and many subsequently decided to build their lives there.
“All this created the need for an organized body that would bring the Greeks of the region together, strengthen the ties between us, and promote Greek culture,” Voulgaridi told TNH.
The president of the Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence Vicky Voulgaridi. (Photo courtesy of Vicky Voulgaridi)
She has been president of the Community since its establishment in 2021, having been honored with the trust of the members of the Community in all three electoral processes since then.
“What fascinates me most in this role is the love I see from the French for Greece, for our customs, traditions and culture. It is particularly moving to see older people wanting to learn the Greek language because of their origin or their love for Greece, but also their need to participate in the events we organize. This human contact and the connection of cultures is the greatest reward for me”, said Voulgaridi.
Asked about the biggest challenges facing their Community today, the President replied: “The biggest challenges today are mainly maintaining the active participation of community members given the fast pace of everyday life, as well as reaching out to the new generation. A community abroad also needs to make a constant effort to secure resources, partnerships, and suitable spaces for its activities.”
The Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence keeps the Greek soul alive in Southern France through activities and events. (Photo courtesy of Vicky Voulgaridi)
She added, significantly: “However, the people’s love for Greece and their willingness to contribute give us the strength to continue.”
Special mention was made in the context of our conversation to the interest of the young expatriates of the Community in the Greek language, history, and traditions, with Voulgaridi emphasizing the official recognition of the Greek school of Aix-en-Provence as the most important achievement of the Community to date.
“There is interest from the children and the younger expatriates and this gives us great joy and the strength to continue. That is why we tried very hard as a Community and managed to secure everything necessary for the Greek school of Aix-en-Provence to be officially recognized. At the same time, our community keeps alive all Greek holidays and traditions, from national anniversaries to the traditional Greek Easter, so that our children grow up with images and experiences from our homeland.”
The Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence keeps the Greek soul alive in Southern France through activities and events. (Photo courtesy of Vicky Voulgaridi)
The Greek element is at the core of a series of events organized by the Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence, the most recent of which was held on May 28, dedicated to the Greek language, in collaboration with City Hall, the Maison de l’Europe, and the French Cypriot Community. “We spoke about the importance and timeless value of the Greek language, while our choir presented, through music and song, the power and beauty of the Greek language in its own unique way.”
The Greek Community of Aix-en-Provence keeps the Greek soul alive in Southern France through activities and events. (Photo courtesy of Vicky Voulgaridi)
