Pontic Greeks commemorate the 1914–1923 genocide
The decade-long massacre cost the lives of over 320,000 people.
Photos: A. Christofilopoulos
Proud and solemn, a crowd of traditionally dressed mourners march around the Greek Parliament. Their faces are frozen, their walk somber. It is not a happy day.
To many, the genocide of the Pontic Greeks is a forgotten page of history. To some, it was never even included in the book to begin with. Despite being recognised as historical fact by Germany, Sweden, Australia, Austria and many more, it remains far from the forefront of our collective consciousness.
They haven’t forgotten. It started in 1914, and lasted nine years. In that timespan, the systematic extermination οf Greeks living around the Black Sea, “Pontos” in Greek, cost 326,000 lives. That is the conservative estimate, some historians claim that 382,000 people were killed by the Turks as part of a widespread campaign that included forced displacement, torture and death camps.
The Turkish government denies the factuality of these claims. It maintains this conviction with regards to other genocides as well.
The community of Pontic Greeks has been scattered around Greece and the Mediterranean since. Yesterday, in Athens, where a large group is still close-knit, remembered the events.
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