May 19 marks Pontic Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, an official day of commemoration for the systematic killing and ethnic cleansing of Greeks living on the shores of the Black Sea during World War I and the Greco-Turkish War that followed.

The genocide, officially recognized by the Greek state in 1994, saw the Ottoman Turks attempt to expel or kill the native Christian population of Anatolia, including the Pontic Greeks.

Different estimates put the death toll between 300,000 to 360,000, with many being executed, massacred, forced to work in labor camps until they died, or deported to the interior on death marches.

This day of remembrance serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during this dark period in history. Between 1913 and 1923, the Turkish Ottoman leadership embarked on a campaign to expel or kill its indigenous Christian population of Anatolia, including the Pontians.

The genocide was carried out by the Three Pashas and later by the rebel government under Mustafa Kemal. While Ataturk may not have had direct involvement, and much of the horror enacted against indigenous Hellenes was carried out by paramilitaries, there is no doubt there was acquiescence by the leader.

Pontian Greeks were executed during the Amasya trials, while others were subject to massacres, forced labor camps, and death marches. Rape, primarily of Pontic women and girls, was also standard operational procedure. In 1923, those Pontians who remained in Turkey were exiled to Greece as part of the population exchange between Greece and Turkey defined by the Treaty of Lausanne. However, this forced displacement did not erase the deep roots that the Pontic Greeks had in Anatolia (now Turkey).

Turkish guide-books on sale in the Taksim Meydane present a distorted version of the events, claiming that the Greeks “returned to their own country.” The reality is that the Pontic Greeks had lived in the Pontos for nearly three thousand years, and their Pontian dialect was not even understandable to twentieth-century Athenians.

Today, the Pontic Greek genocide remains a painful chapter in the history of both Greece and Turkey.

Commemorations in Melbourne

In May 2023, the Greek community in Melbourne will commemorate the Greek Genocide in Pontos, a tragedy that resulted in death of over 250,000 and lives and the displacement of many others. The events scheduled for this occasion include; a lecture, a lighting ceremony, a commemorative service, an exhibition, a formal dinner, and a wreath-laying ceremony.

Lecture – Kick-Ass Women of Pontus

The lecture titled “Kick-Ass Women of Pontus” will be delivered by Dean Kalimniou on Thursday, May 18, at the Greek Centre’s Mezzanine Level on Lonsdale Street. The event is organized by the Central Pontian Association of Melbourne “Pontiaki Estia”, Merimna Pontion Kyrion Oceania, and the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne in collaboration with the Australian Federation of Pontian Associations.

Illumination of the Greek Centre

The Greek Centre building will be illuminated in red over two nights, Thursday 18 and Friday 19 of May, to remember the victims of the genocide. Anonymous donors are sponsoring the initiative.

Memorial Service

The Pontian Associations of Melbourne under the auspices of the Australian Federation of Pontian Associations will host a Memorial Service on Friday, May 19, at 9:30 am, at the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin, to honor the lives lost during the genocide. Distinguished guests of the Hellenic Armed Forces will be in attendance.

Exhibition – Asia Minor – Reflections on daily life

On Friday, May 19th, the official opening of the exhibition entitled “Asia Minor – Reflections on daily life” will take place at 6:30 pm at the bookshop building of the Holy Monastery of Axion Estin. The exhibition will run from Friday 19th to Monday 29th of May 2023, with the display opening from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from the 20th to the 29th of May. The exhibition is dedicated to the Greeks of Asia Minor, and educational tours for schools and community groups can be booked by contacting Yiota Stavridou.

Formal dinner

The Australian Federation of Pontian Associations will host a formal dinner on Friday, May 19, at 8:30 pm, to honor distinguished guests from Greece, political and religious leaders, and representatives of various community groups. The Central Pontian Association of Melbourne and Victoria, ‘Pontiaki Estia,’ will host the event, which will consist of presentations and speeches.

Wreath Laying Ceremony

On Sunday, May 21, a Wreath Laying Ceremony will take place at the Hellenic Memorial on Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, to remember the lives lost during the genocide in the region of Pontos. Community members can register to lay a wreath by contacting Apostoli Alexiadis.

These events provide a crucial opportunity for the Greek community in Melbourne to honor their ancestors and their history, to educate future generations, and to bring awareness to a tragedy that must never be forgotten.