Grecanico: Ancient Greek language still spoken in southern Italy

In a small corner of southern Italy, between the mountains of Calabria and the Ionian Sea, an ancient language still lingers. Locals call it Grecanico, or Griko in neighbouring Puglia. It’s a rare form of Greek that has survived for centuries, passed down in villages where the walls still echo with its sounds.

But time is running out. 

“There’s only a few hundred of us left. I’m one of the youngest, and I’m 71 years old," says Tito Squillaci, one of the leaders of the fight to keep Grecanico alive.

As each generation passes, so too does a piece of this unique cultural heritage.

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Outlasting empires

How Greek first took root in southern Italy remains a matter of debate. Some historians trace it back to the colonies of Magna Graecia, founded in the 8th century BCE, when settlers from across the Aegean established cities on Italian shores. Others argue the language arrived later, reinforced under Byzantine rule in the Middle Ages.

What is certain is that Grecanico has outlasted empires, invasions, dictatorships and endured centuries of neglect.

More than just words

For many in Calabria, Grecanico represents more than just a language. It lives in traditional songs, oral storytelling and the cultural memory of communities that long saw themselves as distinct within Italy.

Today, efforts to revive it include a week-long school held in August, where old, young, and wannabe Grecanico speakers get together to keep the language alive. 

FRANCE 24’s ENTR team travelled to Calabria to meet both the older generation of fluent speakers and the young activists leading its revival.