During the second week of September the Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture (HeLaS) of DI.K.E.P.P.E.E. “Stavros Niarchos” of the University of Ioannina had the pleasure of welcoming a group of students who attended Greek language and Culture courses in the context of the collaboration of the HeLaS with the Foreign Language Center (CLA) of the University of Urbino, Carlo Bo in Italy.

During the academic year 2023 – 2024, four cycles of online Greek language courses were held. The first class of beginners attended three cycles, from October to June, while a second beginner class was formed in March. In September 2024, a “Greek week” was held in Ioannina, during which the students attended daily Greek language and culture lessons and with their teacher, miss Anna Douvali, they visited the Ancient Theater od Dodoni, the “Theodoros Papagiannis” Museum of Contemporary Art and the Monastery of Tsouka, the Averof Art Gallery and the Averof Winery in Metsovo and finally the area of Zagori. A cooking workshop was also held, in which the students, under the guidance of the chefs, Kostas Gerodimos and Sofia Voulgari, learned elements of the epirotic gastronomy in an experiential way.

The participants got to know the region of Epirus, expressed their enthusiasm for the program, as well as the desire to continue the lessons and their contact with the Greek language.