Vassilis Vassilikos - the widely known author of Z who will represent Greece on the 18-member committee has been an Honorary UNESCO Ambassador since 1996. Born in 1934 on the island of Thassos, Vassilikos has published around 90 books - his first one, I diigisi tou Iasona (Jason's Narration), in 1953. He studied law at the Thessaloniki Aristotle University and Television Directing in the US. During 1981-84 he held the position of General Manager of ERT-1, the first channel of Greek state television. He is actively involved in European literary matters and is a columnist for Greek daily Ta Nea .
How do you assess the fact that you have been elected to represent Greece on UNESCOs committee for cultural diversity?
This election is first and foremost an accomplishment for our nation. Only three countries have been elected to represent Team A, which consists of 27 states: 15 from the European Union and a number of others, such as Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Malta etc. Secondly, this committee represents an opportunity to actively participate in the process of safeguarding multiculturalism. Multiculturalism is important and UNESCO is the only international organisation that can protect it. After all, this is the fundamental reason for its existence.
What is the impact of globalisation on different cultures?
Well, impact, is certainly one way to describe it. But the impact of globalisation should not be viewed in an all-negative way, the way that Greek Archbishop Christodoulos depicts it, for instance. It should rather be approached in a more progressive way, in the sense that difference is an element of progress.
Is there a battle between globalisation and cultural diversity? If so, who will emerge the victor?
As much as it may seem odd, the two can indeed work, not competitively, but rather complementarily. The more the blanket of globalisation expands, the more hands and feet will keep emerging from under it. Especially heads, so that people can breathe.
Is the existence of non-international languages threatened by globalisation? Will we, for example, lose the Greek language, as we know it?
Now, language is another thing. This is an enormous issue that really needs to be discussed separately. Just to inform you, however, UNESCO has declared the 21st of February of each year as the International Mother Language Day for the protection of the mother tongue.
