Deputy FM tour of the Greek-speaking villages of southern Italy

[Angelo]

Deputy FM tour of the Greek-speaking villages of southern Italy



Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Theodore Kassimis completed his tour of the Greek-speaking villages of southern Italy, in the first visit of*greek government official to the region. Mr. Kassimis’ tour took him to all of the Greek-speaking municipalities, where he met with mayors and representatives of associations, and he also visited schools where Modern Greek is taught, as well as the Institute of Greek Language Studies (IRSSEC) in Bova Marina, Calabria, where he unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit.


An important stop on Mr. Kassimis’ tour was the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint John Theristis, in Bivogni, where he was received by Bishop Antonio Scorvino and the senior archimandrite of the Holy Metropolis of Italy Evaggelos Yphantis. Mr. Kassimis also met with representatives of the Greek communities of Calbaria (Reggio Calabria, Messina, Palermo) and Apulia (Bari, Brindisi, Foggia).

Completing his tour in Corigliano, Apulia, Mr. Kassimis stated:

“I am deeply moved and overcome with feelings of great joy, which any Greek might feel in Magna Grecia. In Calabria and Apulia one sees that the Greek language – our language, our homeland, as they call it – has survived the centuries, from generation to generation, without being taught. And of course it is very important that in recent years help has been given to these people in learning their dialect, Grecanic, or Griko. I would like to express Greece’s gratitude to the Italian government for the effortst to preserve the local dialects of these regions. The Greek government is supporting these efforts by sending educators and assisting in the recording of this language.

In answer to a report’s question as to the significance of his visit, Mr. Kassimis stressed:

“Reinforcement of the educational effort in the regions of Calabria and Apulia is very important if the language is to be enriched – a language that is in danger of being lost if it is not enriched with new words. Those who know Greek want to borrow words from Greek, which is the mother language of their language. This is being assisted through the parallel teaching of Modern Greek, through the intensifying of relations with municipalities and regions in Greece, and through joint cultural programmes.

The Foreign Ministry, through the Secretariat General for Greek Abroad, puts great emphasis on exchange programmes for our young – visits of young people from the Greek-speaking regions of Italy to Greece, and vice versa.”


An important stop on Mr. Kassimis’ tour was the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint John Theristis, in Bivogni, where he was received by Bishop Antonio Scorvino and the senior archimandrite of the Holy Metropolis of Italy Evaggelos Yphantis. Mr. Kassimis also met with representatives of the Greek communities of Calbaria (Reggio Calabria, Messina, Palermo) and Apulia (Bari, Brindisi, Foggia).


Completing his tour in Corigliano, Apulia, Mr. Kassimis stated:


“I am deeply moved and overcome with feelings of great joy, which any Greek might feel in Magna Grecia. In Calabria and Apulia one sees that the Greek language – our language, our homeland, as they call it – has survived the centuries, from generation to generation, without being taught. And of course it is very important that in recent years help has been given to these people in learning their dialect, Grecanic, or Griko. I would like to express Greece’s gratitude to the Italian government for the effortst to preserve the local dialects of these regions. The Greek government is supporting these efforts by sending educators and assisting in the recording of this language.

In answer to a report’s question as to the significance of his visit, Mr. Kassimis stressed:

“Reinforcement of the educational effort in the regions of Calabria and Apulia is very important if the language is to be enriched – a language that is in danger of being lost if it is not enriched with new words. Those who know Greek want to borrow words from Greek, which is the mother language of their language. This is being assisted through the parallel teaching of Modern Greek, through the intensifying of relations with municipalities and regions in Greece, and through joint cultural programmes.


The Foreign Ministry, through the Secretariat General for Greek Abroad, puts great emphasis on exchange programmes for our young – visits of young people from the Greek-speaking regions of Italy to Greece, and vice versa.”


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[Apollyon]

Finally,I see a light in the distance.
Something is moving on

[Prokomenos]

You know something guys I had no clue that where still Greek speaking villages in Southern Sicily. I must say Im completely shocked to be quite honest. I think that is amazing. Just goes to show how Hellenism spread and the affect that it left.
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[Hellenika]

Some of those villages are so remote they were never affected by invasions, etc. I am pretty sure the Greek they speak is the same Greek dialect that was being spoken in the Greek city-state of Syracuse in ancient times, which is now known as Sicily. Hopefully someone else on here knows more about this, but I found it fascinating when I first read about a few years ago.

[Ellinas]

The language that dominates among the Greeks of Sicily and Calabria (known as Griko) is clearly a Greek dialect but it is has a considerable influence by Italian.

This is a song in Griko. You can notice the Italian influence in some words:

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[Prokomenos]

Very interesting information Ellinas. Thanks for the video to.

[Hellenika]

Originally Posted by Ellinas
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The language that dominates among the Greeks of Sicily and Calabria (known as Griko) is clearly a Greek dialect but it is has a considerable influence by Italian.

This is a song in Griko. You can notice the Italian influence in some words:

Thanks Ellinas.

[Merlin]

Great that the Greek Government is showing some direct interest towards these lost ouposts of Hellenism.

I myself visited some of the Greek speaking villages of Puglia some years ago. As you enter the village of 'Kalimera', you're greeted by the words 'Kalosorisate' written in Latin script. I managed to speak to some elderly persons and could understand them! What was interesting is that I soon gave up on Demotic Greek and spoke to them instead in Cypriot dialect. We understood each other better that way! I found the whole experience very moving but one has to say it is a dying dialect amongst the young. Thanfully many local folklore groups have emerged who are desperately trying to keep the language alive. The help of the Greek Government (along with Italian and EU cooperation) is vital.

Just a few points. The Greek speaking villages are to be found in Puglia and Calabria and their dialects differ as they are separeted geographically. They are descended from Koine Greek. It appears that the inhabitants of southern Italy are the descendents of ancient Greek and Byzantine settlers but they were later joined by Greek refugees fleeing Turkish persecution.

There are no longer any Greek speaking villages in Sicily, though many Sicilians are still fiercely proud of their Greek roots. Sicily does still have Arvanitika speaking villages as does the southern mainland.

The Greeks of southern Italy were converted to Catholicism. This is why I find the news about a Greek Orthodox monastery very interesting. Could anyone provide any more info about its background?

Thanks!

[half greek]

Originally Posted by Merlin
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Great that the Greek Government is showing some direct interest towards these lost ouposts of Hellenism.

I myself visited some of the Greek speaking villages of Puglia some years ago. As you enter the village of 'Kalimera', you're greeted by the words 'Kalosorisate' written in Latin script. I managed to speak to some elderly persons and could understand them! What was interesting is that I soon gave up on Demotic Greek and spoke to them instead in Cypriot dialect. We understood each other better that way! I found the whole experience very moving but one has to say it is a dying dialect amongst the young. Thanfully many local folklore groups have emerged who are desperately trying to keep the language alive. The help of the Greek Government (along with Italian and EU cooperation) is vital.

Just a few points. The Greek speaking villages are to be found in Puglia and Calabria and their dialects differ as they are separeted geographically. They are descended from Koine Greek. It appears that the inhabitants of southern Italy are the descendents of ancient Greek and Byzantine settlers but they were later joined by Greek refugees fleeing Turkish persecution.

There are no longer any Greek speaking villages in Sicily, though many Sicilians are still fiercely proud of their Greek roots. Sicily does still have Arvanitika speaking villages as does the southern mainland.

The Greeks of southern Italy were converted to Catholicism. This is why I find the news about a Greek Orthodox monastery very interesting. Could anyone provide any more info about its background?

Thanks!

I think this women would have no problem talking to Cyproits.

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[Prokomenos]

I tell you guys I am really amazed on how far Greek culture spread throughout the world. The impact it had on people and different civilizations. No wonder why we are disliked and why they want to claim our history like many different nationalities Albanians, Skopjians, Bulgarians, Nords, Afrocentrists and so on...