Celebration of the International Greek Language Day
By Gvantsa Turmanidze
Tuesday, February 12
On February 8, 2019, the Embassy of Greece in Georgia in collaboration with the Institute of Classical, Byzantine and Greek Modern Studies of Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University have celebrated the International Greek Language Day and presented the exhibition of rare publications of the Library of the Institute dedicated to the Greek Language and Civilization. The date coincides with Commemoration Day of Greece's national poet, Dionysios Solomos, whose lyrics are featured in the Greek National Anthem.
Ms. Tina Dolidze, Head of the Department of Classical, Byzantine and Greek Modern Studies, greeted the guests and expressed her gratitude for coming to celebrate this special day, the day of Greek Language, which is an outstanding source of intellectual and spiritual values for the world. Here, Ms. Tina mentioned that this day coincides with our cultural day too, as it is St. David the Builder’s day, whose namesake was the greatest king of Georgia having held intensive contact with the Byzantine world. It is also the day when the University was founded, making the 9th of February very special.
Ms. Tina spoke about the exhibition, which presents rare books from the University’s library. The founder of the institute, professor Gordeziani, brought 5000 books from Moscow, which were kept at Lenin library (now called the State Russian library), including very important additions in history and literature of 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. “Our library is one of the best ones in Eastern Europe, it’s the most important library in Hellenic studies in the Caucasus”.
HE Dimitris Karabalis, the Ambassador of Greece to Georgia, underlined the meaning of the 9th February and stressed the importance of choosing the University for holding this event, which by his words seems like a kind of a shelter for the Greek language in Georgia.
Ms. Keti Abesadze, the director of the Library, made a presentation of the most important books kept at the library and invited the guests to have a look at the display.
