Members and dance groups of the Pontic Educational and Cultural Association of Victoria (PECAV), Akrites tou Pontou, attended the celebrations of the Assyrian New Year (6772) at the invitation of the Assyrian community.
Theo Karapanagiotidis, the Secretary of PECAV, said the two communities had forged a special collaboration in recent years and added that the Assyrian Australian Social Development Club invited his organisation to their new year celebrations on 3 April at Mona Lisa Receptions in Coolaroo, Melbourne.
He said the President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Peter Stefanides, had attended the event with Harry Tsairis, the president of PECAV.
“The dance groups of Akrites tou Pontou with the dance group of the Assyrian community, Ashur Folkloric Dance Group have forged a special, close relationship that reflects the particularities of each community but above all emphasises the common elements that connect them over time.
“History, culture, dance, customs and traditions, but above all the fact they are victims of a common persecutor,” said Mr Karapanagiotidis.
“They have suffered, they have been persecuted, they have been victims of horrible crimes, they have suffered genocide, but they have survived to demand recognition of the genocide suffered by our peoples.
“May the celebration of the New Assyrian Year bring Health, God’s blessing, harmonious living and continuous and uninterrupted cooperation between our two communities,” said Mr Karapanagiotidis.