Return To Anatolia, in partnership with the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council, held a solemn reflection gathering to honour the victims of the Greek Genocide in the Pontos region on Saturday, May 20 at the Genocide Monument in the Ray Brahman Gardens in Melbourne’s suburb of Preston.
Father Vasilios Kourtessis led the attendees in prayer, both in English and Greek, to remember the victims of the Greek Genocide. Following the prayer, guests were invited to place white flowers, symbolising the innocent victims, onto the monument.
The event then transitioned to the Darebin Intercultural Centre in Preston, where attendees had the opportunity to hear a lecture on the Greek Genocide in the Pontos Region, from 1916 to 1922.
The lecture, moderated by Cr Lambros Tapinos, provided an overview of the tragic events and delved into the complexities of the genocide, covering topics such as diplomacy, the involvement of great powers, massacres, deportations, and the backdrop of the Greek-Turkish War of 1919-22.
The event drew a diverse audience, including many non-Greeks, sparking interest but also inspiring numerous thought-provoking questions from the audience.
Although question time had to be shortened due to time restrictions, the conversation and interest among attendees continued during the light refreshments, fostering ongoing dialogue and a deeper understanding of this dark chapter in history. The event concluded with a shared commitment to honouring the memory of the victims and promoting awareness of the Greek Genocide in the Pontos Region.
