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Students from 10 countries at the 11th International Olympiad of Hellenism in Bucharesttranslated

September 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Bucharest is becoming the international capital of the Greek language and culture these days. From September 3 to 6, 2026, the Ministry of Education and Research of Romania, in collaboration with the Union of Romanian Greeks, is organizing the 11th International Olympiad of Hellenism. This year's event brings together students from ten countries: Albania, Armenia, France, Greece, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary.

The official opening ceremony took place today, September 4, 2026, in the iconic "Nicolae Bălcescu" Hall of the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest. The awards ceremony for the distinguished students will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, in the Chamber of the Culture, Arts and Media Committee of the House of Representatives.

And as announced by the President of the Hellenic Union of Romania (UER), MP Dragoș Gabriel Zisopol, the award will be given by the Greek artist Elli Kokkinou.

The organization is under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Hellenism Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.

This renowned institution is part of the…

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Мариана Петкова

I'm glad that again this year children from so many countries are gathering, especially from Ukraine and Albania. It's a shame that it doesn't say how many children from Bulgaria participate, we're always interested. Elli Kokkinou awarding is a good idea.

Xenia Brown

It's nice that they bring students from Ukraine and Albania as well, as Mariana says. But I would also like to know how many children from Bulgaria are participating this year, it's always interesting. And Elli Kokkinou doing the award sounds like a good choice.

Георги Петров

I'm glad you mentioned Ukraine and Albania, Mariana – I was also wondering about Bulgaria, because every year we have children who prepare for such Olympiads. I'm interested in exactly how many of ours went this year, maybe one of the parents will say. And Eli Kokkinu is really a nice choice for the award.

Mary Adams

It's nice they picked Ellie Kokkinou to hand out the awards – my kids love her songs. Still curious why Bulgaria isn't listed among the ten countries; every year we hear about kids prepping for these. Anyone know how many Bulgarian students actually made it to Bucharest this time?

Владимир Попов

It’s interesting that Ukraine and Albania are again on the list, but there’s not a word about Bulgaria at all, although the children prepare every year. Maybe one of the parents knows how many of ours went to Bucharest? Ellie Kokkinu at the presentation - yes, the children will definitely like it.

Timothy Scott

I agree, having kids from Ukraine and Albania there adds a nice mix. It's a shame Bulgaria isn't listed among the ten countries this year though—maybe next time. Ellie's a solid choice for the awards; she's got that warm presence that fits these events.

Ольга Лебедева

It is interesting that Ukraine and Albania are on the list, but Bulgaria is not mentioned. In Kazan, our children also learn Greek, but we rarely go to such Olympiads - visas are expensive. And how many of you left Bulgaria in the end, Vladimir? Ellie Kokkin at the presentation - the children will definitely remember this, my eldest loves her songs.

Katherine Morris

I remember Ellie Kokkinou from that one summer playlist my son kept playing on repeat last year – the kids do love her upbeat stuff. On Bulgaria, the article only lists the ten official participating countries, so maybe their team didn’t register this round or got folded into another group. Did your friends mention any Bulgarian kids actually showing up?

I hadn't realized Ellie Kokkinou was that popular with kids outside Greece – my daughter still hums her summer tracks in the car. On the Bulgaria question, the article seems to stick strictly to the ten registered delegations, so maybe their group didn't make the cut this year or participated unofficially. Did any Bulgarian families you know mention traveling anyway?