The Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece issued a statement this past weekend condemning a song sung by Turkish-Cypriot singer Isin Karaca in Komotini on 4 August referencing the destruction of Smyrna, calling it an “unacceptable provocation” and a “direct insult”.
Karaca raised eyebrows after performing “Izmir Marsi” at a concert organized by the Young Academics’ Association (GAT) in Komotini, a song that praises the events from 1922 when Turkish forces entered the city of Smyrna (now known as Izmir).
The immediate aftermath led to the Burning of Smyrna and has come to be known as the Asia Minor Catastrophe.
The events notably led to the forced expulsion of numerous Greeks and Armenian living in the city, with countless individuals losing their homes and possessions to the flames, many of whom fled to Greece.
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Smyrna, modern-day Izmir in Turkey, was destroyed by Turkish forces in 1922 while the city’s Greek and Armenia inhabitants either fled or were killed.
It is the historical context which is what caused significant outrage in the nation as a result of the song’s performance, with many news outlets and people calling it out for its provocative nature.
The Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece added to the anger at the British-born Turkish Cypriot for singing that song, saying:
“As descendants of refugees and those killed in the genocide of Mustafa Kemal’s nationalist frenzy, we must oppose this whole system of disinformation and incitement of hatred.”
