Twenty-three-year-old Anna Vinnik from Kharkov, Ukraine is the winner of the World Olympiad for Modern Greek, organized for the first time this year

The purpose of the World Olympiad for Modern Greek is to spread the Greek language across the world. It is under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, the World Pontian Youth Coordinating Committee (PASEPON), and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), with the support of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad.

Naryn Hakobyam from Armenia won second place and Valentina Olinik from Ukraine came third.

The three winners emerged after the two stages of the competition, which lasted more than three months, from dozens of contestants, who examined the following topics: “Aristotle Year”, “A 90-year-old lady” (referring to AUTH), “Happiness in the 21st century”, “How does cartoon violence affect children”, “The forgotten importance of the family table”, “Are genes to blame for everything?” and “Shoot pictures and be happy!”

The award ceremony took place on Saturday evening, at the closing of the Olympiad in the Ceremonial Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) in the presence of the Mayor of Thessaloniki Yiannis Boutaris, Deputy foreign minister Yannis Amanatidis, President of the Panhellenic Federation of Pontian Associations ( (POPS) Christina Sahinidis, Rector of Aristotle University Pericles Mitkas, President of the School of Modern Greek Language of AUTH, Professor Marina Matthaioudaki, the chairman of the Hellenic National Commission for Unesco Catherine Tzitzikosta and other guests.

“The competition was very helpful in spreading modern Greek language. It created awareness for participation in the competition, worldwide, Matthaioudaki said.

“Most importantly, it sent a message to the world that people who do not have Greek origins can learn the Greek language and their only motive is love for language learning,” Matthaioudaki said, noting that the university can promote language proficiency and the Greek language worldwide.

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