GREEK COMMUNITY OF MELBOURNE LIT UP THE GREEK CENTRE IN RED TO COMMEMORATE THE GREEK GENOCIDE IN PONTUS
by GCT
The Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM) lights up the Greek Centre in red. It stands in solidarity
with the descendants of the victims of the Greek Genocide in Pontus, honouring their resilience and determination.
The GCM express heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragedy and recommit to the pursuit of justice, healing, and reconciliation.
On this solemn day, the broader Greek Community gather to commemorate the Greek Genocide, a tragic chapter in history that claimed the lives of countless Greeks in the Ottoman Empire.
Together with their memory, the GCM also recognises the importance of and understanding and acknowledging the past to help shape a better, brighter future.
Bill Papastergiadis OAM, President of the GCM, expressed his thoughts for this solemn day “As we remember the Greek Pontian Genocide, it is essential to emphasise the significance of promoting truth, justice, and remembrance. Numerous families, including mine, were affected immensely by this catastrophe.
My beloved grandmother is a very courageous woman and a figure who inspires me to
this day. I observed through the years how the events of the Greek Pontian Genocide affected her so deeply, and the wounds never healed. She never wanted to discuss the past with us, I could see it in her eyes, the hurt, and the pain she was going through. She would always tell me, Vasili always look at the future, her words marked me, and I will never forget that”.
“The GCM acknowledges this tragedy, to ensure that historical facts are preserved and shared. May the memory of the victims and the events of this disastrous day, forever inspire us to work towards a world where such atrocities are never repeated. Let us stand united against genocide, promoting
peace, understanding, and respect for all”.
The Greek Genocide took place between 1914 and 1923, during the final years of the
Ottoman Empire. It resulted in the forced expulsion, massacres, and systematic extermination of Greeks living in the regions of Pontus, along the Black Sea coast of present-day Turkey, as well as Asia Minor and Thrace.
This atrocity, perpetrated by the Ottoman authorities, aimed to eradicate the Greek population, and eliminate their cultural identity.
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