“My language gave me Greek”: AEK’s History and Culture Club hosts Greek -speaking students from under Italy

Its history and culture club AEKpart of the AEK Amateur Association, in the context of its mission to highlight cultural heritage and promoting sport and culture in Greece and abroad, announces with great pleasure the implementation of a Great Initiative: The hospitality of students from the Greek -speaking villages of Lower Italy.

The program, with title “My language was given Greek”has a 10 -day duration and combines educational, cultural and athletic activities. Students have the opportunity to get in touch with living Greek culture, attend new Greek language lessons, visit archaeological sites, museums, the Greek Parliament, as well as important sports facilities.

AEK’s History and Culture Club, as a key body for the arrest, design and implementation of the program, has mobilized methodical forces of state, education and civil society to give life in a vision that unites Greece with its historical diaspora. This initiative is an expression of the deep faith of the club in the importance of preserving the Greek language and identity, even beyond the geographical boundaries of the Greek state.

The implementation of the program was made possible thanks to the valuable support of important bodies and organizations:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Deputy Minister responsible for the issues of expatriate Hellenism, Mr. Ioannis Loverdou, responded immediately and catalytic. Mr Loverdos paved the way for the program, gave the Initiative of the Institutional Current and secured the mission, access and guided tour of places of high cultural and institutional interest.

The Municipality of New Philadelphia – Nea Chalkidona, with the personal care of the Mayor, Mr. Ioannis Tobouloglou, secured the daily “welcome” of the guests and contributed substantially to the smooth flow of the program.

The Leontios School of Athens, with the Director General Mrs. Amalia Skoura immediately recognizes the importance of the initiative, focused on the educational core of the program, offering a structured new Greek language course with worthy and experienced teachers of her educational potential. In addition, it secured the hospitality of their children and their companions in its modern guesthouses.

The Minoan Lines, in collaboration with the Grimaldi Lines, have been a critical factor in the project. Under the direction of Managing Director Mr. Loukas Sigala, they responded with speed and professionalism and kindly provided the transfer of students from Italy to Igoumenitsa and from there to Athens and of course the journey of return.

The History and Culture Club of AEK He heartflies the warmest thanks to all valuable sponsors and supporters who have contributed decisively to the implementation of this visionary action.

We also thank the mayors of Koriliano Dadoro Ms. Dina Manti and Sternatia, Mr. Gabriele Candito, who shared the vision of the club and trusted their children in this symbolic and meaningful experience of cultural contact and learning. But parents’ confidence is a valuable moral capital for the club.

With the program “My Language I was given Greek” and with other initiatives planned, the History and Culture Club of AEK. It confirms its role as an active cultural cell, capable of linking past, present and future of Hellenism through acts with substance, depth and duration. Acts that have officially recognized us as a cultural body of the country.