Hellenism in Italy...A culture that survived 3100 years

[Flipper]

I think we have to start a thread for those who still keep their roots alive in southern Italy. The language has been isolated for over 3000 years and is still pretty easy to understand by us. I think we should collect some sources and show our respect to those people...

I start with this site salentogriko.info:scopri la grecìa salentina!

[Spartan]

It is my understanding that it was mandatory in Italy to learn both Greek and Italian in schools until Mussolini took power. Mussolini trying to bring back the glory of Rome removed Greek from the curriculum.

So think about it! Until the mid 1930's Southern Italians from Naples - south considered themselves as Greek and many still do. i have to friends named Biaggio and Guissepe who are from Sicily and guess what their home town is named?

Nikosia! They both know they are of Greek descent and are very proud of it even though they cannot speak greek.

[Truth Bearer]

No it was until the early 20's when Mussolini wiped out the Hellenic nature of various areas in Sicily and Calabria.They closed down all the Orthodox churches and yes forbade Greek as a second language.

[Spartan]

My mistake on the decade!

[Orphic_Hymn]

The Hellenic language is very well alive among the members of the Grecianic community. Who can say he doesn't understand this poem by Salvino Nucera?

RIZE

I rizemu emìnai ecì
sto chùma pu ìrthame sto còsmo
ismìa me te ccardìe,
me tin glòssa to ggonèoma.
Rize macrìe ce palèe
ti efuscòsai sto chùma tu kerù
ce tegghiònnusi , perÃ*nnonda
ti thÃ*lassa, sti Crècia.
Ecì sta chorìa pu eghenÃ*stima mègala
emìnai glicÃ*de ce pricÃ*de.
I glicÃ*da ton pedìo
me tòssa ònera stin ciofalì,
ti ètrechai sta chorÃ*fia
apissu ste ppètuddhe
c’esclÃ*pennai sta dendrÃ*
jÃ* na piÃ*usi ta ccinùrjie folèe,
ti ècannai tòsse zimìe.
I pricÃ*da ton athròpo
ti scÃ*rusi pòsso ène scerò
to porpÃ*tima ti zoì
sta prÃ*mata cathimerinÃ*
chÃ*nnonda ta ònera
ce tòssa agapimèna.
Ethèlame na condofèrome
pu afìcame te rrìzzema
ce na mi tes ìvrome maremmène.