Lin Ye has united and led the association's members in promoting cultural exchanges between China and Greece, through various activities, since 2023 when she became president of the Greek Overseas Chinese Women's Association. During recent years, the association has promoted education of children and teenagers, supported the growth and development of women, and participated in charity events. Under Lin's leadership, the association has promoted cultural inheritance, protected women's rights and interests, engaged in public-welfare initiatives, and helped organize friendly China-Greece exchanges.

Fully Engaged in Work

Since it was established in 2003, the association has adhered to the principle of loving China, uniting overseas compatriots, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese women and children in Greece, and giving back to society. The association has also helped promote economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and Greece. 

Lin has lived in Greece for 20 years. She joined the association 10 years ago, and she was quickly tasked with overseeing various cultural-exchange and public-welfare projects. Working on such projects helped her gain a deeper understanding of the association's mission, and of its development. 

Chinese women in Greece are not only an important link between their families and communities, Lin says, but they also play important roles in promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and Greece. "Overseas Chinese women, with their unique power and multiple identities, have become a link between cultures, and a bridge for mutual understanding," Lin says. 

Through Chinese-education courses, psychological support and provision of other services, the association helps overseas Chinese find their place in a world of cultural integration, and fosters a positive environment for the development of their children.

"Our association has maintained close cooperation with the Athens Chinese School and the Greece School for Overseas Chinese, and many of our members' children are learning Chinese in such facilities. During traditional Chinese festivals, we often visit the schools, and we send blessings and gifts to the teachers and students. These activities help students have a taste of Chinese culture," Lin says. 

One of the association's members says she was impressed by one of the activities to mark Mid-Autumn Festival. "The children were very interested in the moon cakes and the legend behind the festival. With innocence and curiosity, they asked a lot of questions, such as 'Does fairy Chang'e really live on the moon?' That made us realize that cultural inheritance needs to start with children," the woman said. 

Lin agrees. "In the future, the association will pay more attention to the inheritance of Chinese culture, promote the integration of Chinese education, with local mainstream education, and create a better growth environment for our next generation." 

In addition, the association has helped overseas Chinese women and children solve problems; for example, by providing legal advice, offering psychological support, and by helping the women and children overcome language barriers. "There was once a Chinese mother who was in trouble, due to a family dispute. We assisted her in contacting a lawyer, provided her with legal aid, arranged psychological counseling, and finally helped her out of the dilemma and find new direction in life," Lin recalls. "The association will provide career development training to women and encourage them to participate in social welfare and business management." 

In March 2024, the association, in collaboration with the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, organized an activity to celebrate International Women's Day. More than 200 people participated. During her speech, Lin expressed hope "the rose of China will bloom in the beautiful port of Piraeus." The port, located in southwest Athens, capital of Greece, is known as a pearl of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. 

"The association will continue to pool the strength of women, participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, carry forward the spirit of the Silk Road, give back to society, and make new contributions to the building of a happy and harmonious society," Lin says.

Spreading Chinese Culture

Lin attaches great importance to the promotion of Chinese culture in Greece. "Many members of our association have started their own businesses and/or worked in the cultural-communication industry in Greece. They have helped integrate Chinese culture into Greek society," Lin says.

The association has twice participated in the "Friends of the Child" Christmas charity sale, in Athens. The association, in collaboration with women employees of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, set up a Chinese booth and sold Chinese delicacies, snacks, tea, crafts and Chinese-style ornaments. The event attracts more than 30 diplomatic missions, and nearly 100 local organizations and business groups, every year. 

The event aims to give back to the community, and to help children feel warmth and care. Also, the event serves as a stage for cultural exchanges among various countries. 

"The most popular products at the booth have been small items that embody traditional Chinese culture and snacks with Chinese characteristics, such as paper cuts, bookmarks, embroideries, jiaozi and steamed buns," Lin says. 

"I still remember how a Greek woman developed a strong interest in Chinese tea culture after she had a cup of tea at our booth. She contacted us after the event, saying she hoped to learn more about tea and traditional Chinese medicine," Lin adds. 

During the charity event, volunteers from the association communicated with participants and visitors, either in English or Greek. Most of the association's volunteers were overseas Chinese students or second generation overseas Chinese. Some were the association's members and their children. 

Lin believes serving as a volunteer allows children of overseas Chinese to better communicate with each other, and to share and deepen their love for Chinese culture. Before each charity event, the association provides training to its volunteers. "They learn how to introduce the products, and Chinese culture, in a proper way ... This not only helps them provide better services, but also allows them to gain experience and confidence," Lin says.

Homeland in Heart

"In the future, I will do my duty, and I will always uphold the fine tradition of loving the motherland, and loving my hometown," Lin said, during her speech, in 2023 when she became the association's president. 

Although they are far from their hometowns, overseas Chinese always have their motherland in their hearts. On September 28, 2024, the association hosted a symposium, in Athens, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The association's members discussed ways to enhance exchanges and cooperation between China and Greece. The members waved the five-star red flag (China's national flag) and, in unison, offered their blessings to the motherland through a video: "Although we live abroad, our hearts are tied to the motherland. We hope our motherland will be prosperous, and our people will live in peace." 

At the end of last year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added "Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year" to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

Lin felt proud as the news spread around the world. "Spring Festival is an important symbol of Chinese culture, which carries the meaning of reunion, gratitude and hope. We have participated in several activities to celebrate the good news, and the Spring Festival," Lin said, at the time. 

One of the benefits of being the association's president, Lin says, has been her greater awareness of the importance of unity. "The success of every activity is inseparable from the support and efforts of the members. Looking ahead, we will make continuous efforts to promote cultural exchanges, women's development, and the education of children and teenagers. I hope we will enhance in-depth cooperation between China and Greece, in the fields of culture and education, and, at the same time, help more overseas Chinese women and children feel the warmth of home," Lin says.

Photos from Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly April 2025)

Editor: Wang Shasha