Remembrance Day of the Pontic Genocide is a significant date, celebrated annually on May 19. The first event took place on Saturday evening in Piraeus.
Today, memorial events dedicated to the genocide of the Pontic Greeks will be held in Thessaloniki and Athens. The Pontic Federation of Greece notes in its statement that May 19 is a significant day for Greeks of Pontic origin around the world, a day of honor and remembrance of the genocide of their ancestors. This is the culmination of actions in favor of efforts for international recognition of the genocide of the Eastern Greeks. The statement emphasizes:
“The ultimate goal of our struggle for international recognition of genocide is to prevent and deter such crimes, which, unfortunately, continue to haunt humanity.”
The main event in the capital is centered on Syntagma Square: there will be a memorial service for the victims of the Pontic genocide of the Greeks in the Athens metropolis and the official change of the presidential guard at the monument to the Unknown Soldier by men dressed in Pontic clothing, a rebel costume.
The President of Π.Ο.Ε will deliver greetings. Georgios Varithimiadis, Regional Governor of Attica Nikolaos Hardalia, representatives of organizations, as well as Dr. Clearchos Kyriakidis, Professor at the University of Cyprus (To Τμήμα Νομικής Πανεπιστημίου Frederick, Κύπρος). This will be followed by the laying of wreaths at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, a protest march to the Turkish Embassy and the presentation of the resolution.
In Thessaloniki, the central event will begin at Hagia Sophia Square: with a memorial service for the victims of the genocide of the Pontic Greeks at the genocide monument of the municipality of Thessaloniki, the laying of wreaths, welcoming speeches, and a speech by Dr. Christos Clerides, professor and head of department at the Frederic University of Law. There will be a protest march to the Turkish Consulate and the presentation of a resolution, reports CNN Greece.
Information kiosks are located at Syntagma Square in Athens and Aristotle Square in Thessaloniki. There, the history and culture of the Pontic Greeks, their tragedy, are shown through audiovisual and print media.
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