Speakers of the Grecanico language of Italy in Calabria, also known as the Calabrian Greeks, were adversely affected when, during the country’s Fascist period (1922–1943), Benito Mussolini undertook a systematic campaign to establish a strong, centralized national identity revolving around the glorification of a unified Italian culture anchored in the myth of Roman imperial grandeur.
Calabrian Greeks in Southern Italy are custodians of a unique Hellenic linguistic heritage, which has persisted since the Byzantine era. Yet, in pursuit of his ideological objectives, Mussolini’s regime attempted to eradicate any and all obstacles to national unity, thereby effectively also making all minority groups, including speakers of the Grecanico language targets of repression.
Calabrian Greek, or Grecanico, as a “threat” to Italy’s fascist nationalism
The Grecanico—or Calabrian Greek—language, a variant of Greek that evolved in Southern Italy over centuries, was more than just a means of communication. It was a living symbol of cultural memory and local identity. However, in the Fascist worldview, the persistence of such a language posed a threat to the construction of a homogeneous Italian identity.
The regime regarded any expression of non-Italian heritage as unpatriotic or even subversive. As a result, Grecanico—alongside other minority languages, such as Sardinian, Friulian, and Slovene—was excluded from public life and intentionally marginalized.
Discrimination and repression of the Grecanico community in Italy
The Grecanico-speaking population of Calabria faced both social and institutional discrimination, as public use of the language was often mocked, discouraged, or punished. The community was stereotyped as backward or uncivilized, especially in rural villages, leading to internalized shame among Grecanico users and weakening the intergenerational transmission of the language.
Culturally, the Fascist regime erased or downplayed the historical Greek influence in the region. Byzantine religious traditions, once prominent in parts of Calabria, had already been diminished in earlier centuries, and, under Fascism, any surviving traces of Greek religious or cultural identity were further suppressed. The state promoted an exclusive narrative of Roman Catholicism and Latin heritage, leaving little room for diversity.
The role of education: Language as a tool of assimilation
Education became one of the most effective instruments of Fascist cultural engineering. As documented by institutions such as the Museo Alessandro Roccavilla, Calabrian Greek children were forced to exclusively speak Italian in schools. Teachers, acting as agents of the regime, often ridiculed or punished students who used their mother tongue. Those who continued speaking the Grecanico language in schools and classrooms in Italy faced public humiliation or physical reprimands.
This policy extended beyond the classroom: all official communication and street signs were strictly in Italian, and public ceremonies were conducted exclusively in the dominant language of the country. Even place names were often Italianized, erasing historical links to Greek or local linguistic roots. The message was clear—only Italian was legitimate.
Long-term impact: A language at risk in Southern Italy
Fascist-era policies dealt a significant blow to the vitality of the Grecanico language. Many families stopped teaching it to their children, viewing it as a source of shame or barrier to social mobility. This led to a steep decline in fluent speakers, especially among younger generations. Today, Grecanico is classified as severely endangered, spoken only by a small number of elderly people in the Aspromonte area of southern Calabria.
Despite later efforts by scholars, local associations, and national legislation (such as Law 482/1999 on the protection of linguistic minorities), the damage inflicted by decades of cultural repression has been difficult to undo. While some cultural revival initiatives have emerged, they face significant challenges due to the linguistic discontinuity created under Fascism.
Remembering the silenced voice of Grecanico speakers in Italy
The suppression of the Grecanico language under Mussolini’s regime is a poignant example of how authoritarian systems seek to eradicate diversity in the name of unity. It illustrates the profound consequences of language policies that treat minority cultures as threats rather than assets.
Today, recognizing and revitalizing the Grecanico language is not just a matter of linguistic preservation—it is an act of historical justice and cultural resilience.
Gerace: Guardian of Calabrian Greek identity
Gerace, one of Italy’s most beautiful hilltop towns, stands as a stronghold of Calabrian Greek identity. During the Bicentennial celebration in 2020, symbolic events were held there, including the reading of a Bicentennial Oath in Ancient Greek which was engraved on a terracotta pinax. It was then broken and its fragments (symbolon) distributed as tokens of communal commitment to preserving the language.
Cultural figures the likes of Pasquale Casile and institutions such as the University for Foreigners “Dante Alighieri” in Reggio Calabria are at the forefront of preservation efforts. There has even been a proposal to establish a university chair for Calabrian Greek studies.
San Giovannello: A spiritual and historical beacon
Gerace is also home to the Byzantine church of San Giovannello, dedicated to Saint John Chrysostom. This is the oldest Orthodox church in Italy. After more than a decade of restoration, it is preparing to reopen its doors, thanks to a collaborative agreement between the Italian state and the Orthodox Church.
Its reopening is not only a religious milestone but also a powerful act of cultural memory, reaffirming the link between Byzantine spirituality and Grecanico identity.
Gerace: A bridge between cultures in Italy
The celebrations in Gerace and ongoing cultural initiatives show that this is not a nostalgic revival but a forward-looking commitment. Calabrian Greek is key to understanding Mediterranean history—a living testimony of plural identity and resilience.
Gerace remains the beating heart of the Grecanico world. It is, in essence, a bridge between East and West, as well as between tradition and modernity and the marginalized past and renewed future.