Successful completion of the 6th International Summer School of Greek Language, History and Culture of the Ionian University

The 6th International Summer School of Greek Language, History and Culture of the Ionian University was successfully completed for another year under the academic coordinator of Professor Athanasios Efstathiou, Department of History and Digital Humanities of the Ionian University.

The 6th International Summer School of Greek Language, History and Culture 2026, which took place in Corfu (June 28 - July 12, 2026), was attended by 16 students from 12 countries: Australia, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, France, USA, Spain, Latvia, Netherlands, Hungary, Turkey and the Czech Republic. The International Summer School of Greek Language, History and Culture has been taking place at the Ionian University since 2017.

Through the Lifelong Learning Center of Ionian University, the program offered 3 ECTS and included 40 teaching hours of modern Greek language offered at 3 levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced. It also included 40 teaching hours of Greek history and culture distributed as follows: Visits to the Archaeological Museum of Corfu, the Kapodistrias Museum, the Banknote Museum, the Corfu Reading Society, the Paleopolis Museum of Mon Repos, a guided tour of the historic center of Corfu town, as well as a daily educational trip to the archaeological site of Dodona and the historic city of Ioannina (visit to the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina, the Castle and the Silversmithing Museum). In all museums the students had at their disposal worksheets enriched with educational and museum-pedagogical activities, aiming at linguistic and cultural skills, so as to make the most of their stay there.

Also, during the Summer School, lectures were given on the following topics: “Greek Music”, “Music Iconography”, “Ancient Athenian Democracy” and “Modern Greek Poetry”.

Finally, for the recreation of the participants, as well as their acquaintance with the natural beauties of our islands, a day trip to Paxos and Antipaxos was held, while for their familiarization with the local festivals and fairs, a visit was made to Panagia Vlacherna in Kanoni, on the day of the festival of the Holy Temple.

The teachers and scientific associates of the Program all had high training, as well as many years of experience in the field.

We warmly thank all the museums and archaeological sites for the free entrance. We would also like to thank the President of the Corfu Urban Bus Company, Mr. Alexandros Pangalis, for ensuring the free transportation of the participants to and from the museums. We would also like to thank the cruise company Ionian Cruises, and particularly Mr. Petros Papikinos, for the kind offer of the day trip to Paxos-Antipaxos.

In closing, we would like to emphasize that the participants left with the best impressions, both from the lessons and from the cultural activities, but also enchanted by Greek nature, gastronomy and hospitality. These students (among whom are also professors who teach ancient Greek in educational institutions in their countries) will be the best ambassadors of our language and culture abroad.

We will be glad to see you again at the next International Summer School of Greek Language, History and Culture 2027!