The nations of Greece and Costa Rica are both celebrating the bicentennial of their independence this year, with Costa Rican authorities planning to illuminate their iconic National Insurance Building in the capital city of San Jose in blue and white on March 25th.
Greeks in Costa Rica are already celebrating this great milestone for both countries in 2021.
Both countries celebrating bicentennial in 2021
Organizations representing the Greek Diaspora in Latin America had just called for stronger contacts with Greece during a video conference with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday.
The premier said he was “moved by the Greek flags set behind them, wherever these people may be, in Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Uruguay and the rest of the Latin American countries.”
It is of the utmost significance to sustain the element of unity that defines Hellenism abroad, noted Mitsotakis. “It is my obligation to protect the unity of Hellenism,” he underlined.
Preservation of language, culture of paramount importance to Central American Greeks
The President of the Federation of Greek Communities of Argentina, Anastasios Kavathas, stressed the need to “preserve our language” by strengthening the schools that operate in the communities.
He also referred to the traditional dance programs that schools offer. “In this way, we want to be close to Greece,” he said.
The President of the Federation of Greek Communities of Brazil, Stavros Kyriopoulos, raised the issues of education and the need to increase the number of teachers.
He also thanked the Prime Minister for his initiative to contact the Greek community in Latin America, something he said “No one had done before. Not one another Prime Minister.”
Greek Diaspora in Mexico, Panama, Uruguay
The President of the Hellenic Community of Mexico, Costas Galanis, also referred to the need to strengthen the schools of the communities, emphasizing that in the past “many students learned Greek from Mexican teachers.”
The Vice President of the Hellenic Community of Panama, Ioannis Liakopoulos, presented an overview of the many cultural activities that the community has developed, while he also spoke about the important role played by many expatriates in the business life of the country.
“When Greeks focus on something, they can achieve great things,” he stressed.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
