Rebooting the Greek Language, a project of Simon Fraser University, aims to use state-of-the-art digital tools and pedagogy to create a platform for Greek language learning. The program, decades in the making with efforts to revitalize Modern Greek language acquisition in the context of the Greek diaspora, officially launches on November 26, 2019 in Vancouver.
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) provided support for the most recent phase of this effort, which has included a paid internship program held jointly in Vancouver and Athens. Support from the Foundation has also gone to the SNF New Media Lab and the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser.
The launch event will also pay tribute to the late Dr. André Gerolymatos, who was Professor of History and Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser. Dr. Gerolymatos’s tireless efforts were instrumental in making the Centre, and by extension Simon Fraser University, one of the foremost contributors to the field of Hellenic studies. His work was integral to ensuring that it would have the human capital, through a robust suite of permanently endowed faculty positions, to make it a lasting dynamo of research and pedagogy. Dr. Gerolymatos passed away in May, 2019.
In the “Between Worlds” exhibit at Museum of Vancouver, visitors will take a virtual peek into an ancient Greek home, watch a naval battle unfold from onboard a Greek warship, and help reconstruct a ruined tholos.
The event will also mark the public launch of the André Gerolymatos Memorial Fund.
The event, free but with limited space available, will take place at the Museum of Vancouver from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience augmented and virtual reality content created as part of the project.
