The Closing Ceremony of the Summer Program for Young Members of the Greek Diaspora, organized by the Centre for the Teaching of Greek Language and Culture (KEDEGPO) of the International Centre for Hellenic Education, Tradition and Vocational Training "Stavros Niarchos" (DIKEPPEE) of the University of Ioannina, was held with great success on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, at the open-air theatre of the DIKEPPEE "Stavros Niarchos".

The event marked the successful completion of another cycle of the Program, which offers young people of the Greek Diaspora the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the Greek language, culture, and history, while fostering meaningful connections with Epirus and the University of Ioannina.

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Ms. Vasiliki Panteli, Head of the DIKEPPEE "Stavros Niarchos", who referred to the 30th anniversary of the Centre for the Teaching of Greek Language and Culture, highlighting its long-standing contribution to the promotion of the Greek language and culture and to strengthening the bonds between Greece and the Greek Diaspora. Professor Xenophon Bitsikas, President of the Centre for the Teaching of Greek Language and Culture and Vice Rector for International Relations, Outreach and Lifelong Learning of the University of Ioannina emphasized the strategic importance of the University's internationalization initiatives and its enduring commitment to the Greek Diaspora.

Greetings were also delivered by Mr. Konstantinos Karamanis, Member of the University of Ioannina Governing Council and Vice President of the University Property Management and Development Company. On behalf of the Mayor of Ioannina and the Deputy Mayor for Education, Ms. Katia Tzima, President of the Primary Education School Committee of the Municipality of Ioannina, also addressed the audience.

During the ceremony, a message from Ms. Maira Myrogianni, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was read. In her message, she described the Program as an important initiative for strengthening the ties of young members of the Greek Diaspora with Greece, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Greek language and Greek-language education in preserving national and cultural identity.

A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the new logo of the Centre for the Study of Hellenic Language and Culture by Mr. Nikolaos Konstantinou, member of the Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP) of the Department of Fine Arts and Art Sciences, School of Fine Arts, University of Ioannina. He presented the philosophy and symbolism behind the Centre's new visual identity.

Στη συνέχεια, οι σπουδαστές και οι σπουδάστριες παρουσίασαν το δημιουργικό τους project με τίτλο «Ήπειρος: τόπος, γλώσσα, μνήμη», μέσα από έκθεση φωτογραφίας, προβολή βίντεο και ανάγνωση πρωτότυπων κειμένων που οι ίδιοι δημιούργησαν κατά τη διάρκεια της συμμετοχής τους στο πρόγραμμα. Η παρουσίασή τους ανέδειξε τις εμπειρίες, τα βιώματα και τους δεσμούς που ανέπτυξαν με τον τόπο, τη γλώσσα και τον πολιτισμό της Ηπείρου.

The ceremony was enriched by a musical performance from the Konstantinos Leontaris Music School, featuring Mr. Konstantinos Leontaris and his associate Ms. Anthi Stavrou, who created a warm and memorable artistic atmosphere.

Certificates of participation were awarded to all participants. A particularly moving moment was the performance of the students' choir, which presented songs they had rehearsed throughout the Program.

The ceremony concluded with a performance of traditional Greek dances by the participants, who had learned them during dance workshops led by Ms. Alexandra Apostolaki from the Laboratory of Language, Folklore and Culture of the Department of Primary Education at the University of Ioannina. The performance brought to a close a period of creative learning, cultural exchange, and meaningful engagement with the Greek language and culture.

Through the Centre for the Teaching of Greek Language and Culture of the DIKEPPEE "Stavros Niarchos", the University of Ioannina continues to invest in the promotion of the Greek language and culture while strengthening the ties between Greece and the Greek Diaspora, building lasting bridges of communication between younger generations of Greeks abroad and their ancestral homeland.