In Acharnes they lit the “Flame of Memory” and danced the serra as a warning about the genocide in Pontius

At the monument to the Pontic Acrites in Acharnes, Monday, May 18, 2026 (photo: Facebook / Spyros Vrettos)

IN Acharnes lit “Flame of Memory” in honor of the victims genocide of the Pontic Greeks. The action brought together residents, youth and Pontic organizations.

IN Acharnes lit “Flame of Memory” — a symbolic event in honor of the victims genocide of the Pontic Greeks. The event took place in the evening May 18, 2026on the eve of the official Remembrance Day, and brought together city residents, representatives of local organizations, youth and descendants of Pontic refugees.

At the monument to the Pontic Acrites in Acharnes, Monday, May 18, 2026 (photo: Facebook / Spyros Vrettos)

According to Pontos Newspromotion in Acharnes became part of the commemorative events May 19 – a date that for Pontic Hellenism remains not only a day of sorrow, but also a demand for historical justice.

This year marks 107 years old from the beginning of the most brutal phase of the destruction of the Greeks of Pontus. And the ceremony in Acharnes showed again that the memory of the tragedy continues to be passed on from generation to generation – not as a museum formality, but as a living part of family, cultural and social identity.

Commemorative procession in Acharnes, Monday 18 May 2026 (photo: Facebook / Spyros Vrettos)

The event started at the bust Kapetana Euclidiswhere it was committed trisagion – memorial prayer for the dead. Mayor Acharnes took part in the ceremony Spyros Vrettosstate representatives, deputies from Eastern Attica Stelios Petsas, Vasilis Ikonomou And Manolis Christodoulakisas well as representatives of public associations and city residents.

After the funeral part there was procession of memory To Memorial to the Acrites of Pontuswhere wreaths were laid in memory of the victims of the genocide. It was a discreet procession, but powerful in symbolism: when historical justice remains an unfinished issue, even silence at such events sounds louder than many official speeches.

Serres dance, Monday, May 18, 2026 (photo: Facebook / Spyros Vrettos)

Young people took a special place in the ceremony. Children and teenagers in traditional Pontic costumes stood next to older generations, showing that the memory of 353,000 dead is not confined to the past. It is transmitted through families, songs, stories, language, music and rituals.

“Flame of Remembrance” in Acharnes, Monday, May 18, 2026 (photo: Facebook / Spyros Vrettos)

The highlight of the evening was the lighting “Flames of Memory” and execution Serra – Pontic Pyrrhic dance. In this context, the serra became not just an element of tradition, but a gesture of dignity, resilience and resistance to oblivion.

In his speech, Mayor Acharnes Spyros Vrettos emphasized that memory does not disappear when love for the homeland remains alive and flares up like a flame in the collective consciousness. He also repeated the demand for international recognition genocide of the Pontic Greeks.

According to the mayor, the Pontians, despite forced expulsion and persecution, managed to get back on their feet, create, work and become examples of strength, dignity and contribution to society.

The final meaning of the evening was expressed in a short formula: “I don’t forget”. Sometimes it is precisely such words that turn out to be more accurate than long political declarations. Although declarations are also needed – especially if they are ever followed by actions, and not just another annual exercise in solemn rhetoric.

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