Vandals desecrated a monument to the Pontic people in Thessaloniki. It was erected in the central part of the municipality Neapolis – Sykei, in the western part of Thessaloniki, in summer 2023.
Municipal authorities have filed a complaint with the police, who are looking for evidence from CCTV cameras of nearby shops to identify the culprits.
As reported in a statement by the municipality of Neapolis-Sikei, “with the aim of either stealing metal or insulting the memory of Asia Minor and Pontic refugees, unknown persons damaged the monument, having previously turned off the lighting system.” “They should be ashamed”says the mayor of Neapolis – Ciquei.
Simos Daniilidis expressed his indignation and anger about what happened. He noted that those who tried to destroy the monument “should be ashamed, because they insult the memory of their grandparents, and become allies of the persecutors of their ancestors.”
The monument will be restored as soon as possible by Professor Emeritus APF School of Fine Arts G. Tsaraswho created it. Park in memory of the Pontic and Asia Minor Greek people municipality of Neapolis – Sikei, located between the streets Riga Ferea, Andreas Papandreou And Nafpaktoswas opened in June 2023simultaneously with the opening of the monument, which has the shape of an inclined column with a height six meters. At its top are located seven glowing birdssymbolizing living memory.
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