Ukrainian-Greek Thought

Ukrainian-Greek Thought (Ukrainian: Українсько-Грецька Думка) is a Ukrainian diaspora organization based in Athens, Greece. It is one of the most influential Ukrainian community associations in the country, works closely with the Embassy of Ukraine in Greece, and is a member of the Ukrainian World Congress. The organization traces its origins to 1998, when Halyna Masliuk and Litsa Pateraki founded the first Ukrainian association in Greece, called "Zhuravlynyi Krai" (Crane Land). After the death of its head Volodymyr Kabachii in 2003, the association split into three separate organizations. To protect the good name of Ukrainians in Greece, the leadership re-registered the association under a new name, and thus Ukrainian-Greek Thought appeared in Athens, considering itself the successor of Zhuravlynyi Krai. It had to enter into disputes with another organization, "Ukrainian Crane Land." From 2012, with the partial decline of "Ukrainian Crane Land," and especially from 2014, with the Euromaidan, the Revolution of Dignity, and Russian aggression in Ukraine, Ukrainian-Greek Thought became the leading organization of Ukrainians in Greece. In 2015 it joined the Coordinating Council of the United Diaspora of Ukrainians in Greece. The organization is headed by a chairperson and is governed by a board. Its center is in the capital, Athens, with branches in Patras, Rhodes, and the Peloponnese. The current chairperson is Halyna Masliuk. Its activities include informing Greek society about Ukraine, its true history, customs, and traditions; preserving the image of Ukraine and Ukrainians; and educating the second generation and children from mixed marriages in accordance with Ukrainian family traditions. Since 2003, a Ukrainian Saturday school has operated, currently with about 40 children aged 4 to 19, including a kindergarten group. Teachers prepare children in Ukrainian studies subjects: Ukrainian language and literature, geography of Ukraine, and history of Ukraine. The school director is Hanna Pavliuk. A theater group operates at the school, performing in Athens and other Greek cities. In 2009, the first certification of children at the school was conducted by Liudmyla Ivanova, director of the International Ukrainian School. Since 2010, members of the organization have achieved the teaching of Ukrainian language at the University of Athens. Since 2006, the organization has organized the Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece, usually held on the island of Euboea, in various cities, primarily in Eritrea. These forums discuss pressing issues of the Ukrainian diaspora, including history, education, and media, and are held with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine and the participation of the European Congress of Ukrainians. Translation activity is an important part: a bilingual collection of works by Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko has been published. In 2015, a Ukrainian page was founded in the newspaper "Mir-Omonia," where information about the activities of Ukrainian-Greek Thought is published. Since 2014, Ukrainian-Greek Thought has acted as a people's diplomat. The chairperson and members have made a number of written appeals to the president, prime minister, parliament of Greece, foreign diplomatic institutions of leading countries, and Greek members of the European Parliament, emphasizing the Ukrainian people's aspirations to preserve a united sovereign Ukraine. In 2016, it provided patronage to the Ukranorama project, whose task is to inform the Greek-speaking population about events in Ukraine, acquaint them with Ukraine, cover events from the life and activities of the Ukrainian community in Greece, and tell Ukrainians about Greece.

The organization's history began in 1998, when Halyna Masliuk and Litsa Pateraki founded the first Ukrainian association in Greece, romantically named "Zhuravlynyi Krai" (Crane Land). Its activities continued until 2003, when after the death of its head Volodymyr Kabachii, it split into three separate organizations. Seeking to protect the good name of Ukrainians in Greece, the leadership of the association re-registered it under a new name. Thus, in Athens, "Ukrainian-Greek Thought" appeared, considering itself the successor of "Zhuravlynyi Krai." However, it had to enter into disputes with another organization, "Ukrainian Crane Land." From 2012, with the partial decline of "Ukrainian Crane Land," and especially from 2014 (Euromaidan, Revolution of Dignity, and Russian aggression in Ukraine), "Ukrainian-Greek Thought" transformed into the leading organization of Ukrainians in Greece. In 2015, "Ukrainian-Greek Thought" joined the Coordinating Council of the United Diaspora of Ukrainians in Greece. The organization is headed by a chairperson and is governed by a board. Its center is the capital, Athens, with branches in Patras, Rhodes, and the Peloponnese. The current chairperson is Halyna Masliuk. Since 2003, a Ukrainian Saturday school has operated, currently with about 40 children aged 4 to 19, including a kindergarten group. Teachers prepare children in Ukrainian studies subjects: Ukrainian language and literature, geography of Ukraine, and history of Ukraine. The school director is Hanna Pavliuk. A theater group operates at the school, performing in Athens and other Greek cities. In 2009, the first certification of children at the school was conducted by Liudmyla Ivanova, director of the International Ukrainian School. Since 2010, members of the organization have achieved the teaching of Ukrainian language at the University of Athens. Since 2006, the organization has organized the Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece, usually held on the island of Euboea, in various cities, primarily in Eritrea. These forums discuss pressing issues of the Ukrainian diaspora, including history, education, and media, and are held with the support of the Embassy of Ukraine and the participation of the European Congress of Ukrainians. Translation activity is an important part: a bilingual collection of works by Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko has been published. In 2015, a Ukrainian page was founded in the newspaper "Mir-Omonia," where information about the activities of Ukrainian-Greek Thought is published. Since 2014, Ukrainian-Greek Thought has acted as a people's diplomat. The chairperson and members have made a number of written appeals to the president, prime minister, parliament of Greece, foreign diplomatic institutions of leading countries, and Greek members of the European Parliament, emphasizing the Ukrainian people's aspirations to preserve a united sovereign Ukraine. In 2016, it provided patronage to the Ukranorama project, whose task is to inform the Greek-speaking population about events in Ukraine, acquaint them with Ukraine, cover events from the life and activities of the Ukrainian community in Greece, and tell Ukrainians about Greece.

• 2016

  Provides patronage to the Ukranorama project.

• 2015

  Joins the Coordinating Council of the United Diaspora of Ukrainians in Greece; founds a Ukrainian page in the newspaper "Mir-Omonia."

• 2014

  Euromaidan, Revolution of Dignity, and Russian aggression in Ukraine; the organization becomes the leading Ukrainian organization in Greece and acts as a people's diplomat.

• 2012

  With the partial decline of "Ukrainian Crane Land," Ukrainian-Greek Thought begins to emerge as the leading organization.

• 2010

  Members achieve the teaching of Ukrainian language at the University of Athens.

• 2009

  First certification of children at the school, conducted by Liudmyla Ivanova.

• 2006

  The organization begins organizing the Forum of the Ukrainian Diaspora in Greece.

• 2003

  After the death of head Volodymyr Kabachii, the association splits; "Ukrainian-Greek Thought" is re-registered in Athens as successor.

• 2003

  Ukrainian Saturday school begins operating.

• 1998

  Halyna Masliuk and Litsa Pateraki found the first Ukrainian association in Greece, "Zhuravlynyi Krai" (Crane Land).

Leading Ukrainian diaspora organization in Greece, acting as a cultural, educational, and people's diplomacy hub.

• Bilingual newspaper Ukrainian-Greek Thought

  Publication covering the organization's activities and Ukrainian community life in Greece.

• Ukrainian Saturday school

  School for children aged 4-19 teaching Ukrainian language, literature, geography, and history.

• Bilingual collection of Taras Shevchenko's works

  Translation and publishing project.

1. 1Українсько-Грецька Думка – Українсько-Грецька Думкаukrgrdumka.gr
2. 2Ukrainian-Greek thought - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Українсько-грецька думка - Wikipediauk.wikipedia.org