With absolute success, the three programs of the Center for the Study of the Hellenic Language and Culture (HeLaS) of the DIKEPPEE "Stavros Niarchos" of the University of Ioannina were completed during July 2025. During the first half of the month, the Program for Young Expatriate Greeks Abroad was implemented, funded by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Starting on July 7th and lasting for three weeks, the Program for Epirotes Abroad was carried out, also funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lastly, the Center’s regular four-week Summer Program concluded at the end of the month.

Participants in the programs attended intensive Greek language courses and took part in numerous cultural activities and educational excursions aimed at introducing them to the Greek language, the history and the culture of Epirus and Greece.

The first closing ceremony, for the Young Expatriates Program, took place on July 11th in the presence of the President of HeLaS and Vice-Rector for International Relations, Global Engagement and Lifelong Learning, Mr. Xenofon Bitsikas, the Member of the Governing Council of the University of Ioannina, Mr. Konstantinos Karamanis, and the Deputy Mayor of Ioannina, Mr. Stefanos Sintos.

The second closing ceremony—for both the Regular Summer Program of HeLaS and the Program for Epirotes Abroad, funded by the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs—marked the official end of the academic year. It was held with great success and in a celebratory atmosphere on Thursday, July 24, 2025. The event featured welcome addresses by the Head of DIKEPPEE "Stavros Niarchos," Ms. Vasiliki Pantel, the Rector of the University of Ioannina, Ms. Anna Batistatou, the Deputy Mayor of Ioannina, Mr. Stefanos Sintos and the President of the World Council of Epirotes Abroad, Mr. Chrysostomos Dimou. The event was also honored by the presence of members of the World Council of Epirotes Abroad: Vice President, Mr. Eleftherios Dimitriou, General Secretary, Mr. Spyros Kostadimas, Cashier, Mr. Ilias Galanos, Press and Communications Officer, Mr. Theofanis Kalyviotis, Special Secretary, Mr. Panagiotis Bouziouris, President of the Panepirotic Federation of Europe, Mr. Dimitris Dokos, President of the Panepirotic Federation of America Mr. Ioannis Katsimbaris, President of the Epirotic Association of Frankfurt, Ms. Dimitra Petsa, Member, Mr. Stavros Ziogas and President of the World Vlach Amphictyony, Mr. Michalis Mageirias. The ceremony began with a message from the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy, Ms. Maira Myrogianni, which was read aloud.

During the event, the students presented a unique cultural program dedicated to travel literature. Through a photography exhibition, the screening of an original video and literary texts they created during their stay, they captured with sensitivity and creativity their experience of Greece and Epirus.

HeLaS continues its mission with consistency, promoting the Greek language and culture, strengthening the bonds with the Greek diaspora and lovers of the Greek language, and cultivating a sense of cultural identity through experiential learning and language education.