Melbourne to mark Pontian Greek Genocide with series of commemorative events

Melbourne’s Greek Australian assemblage will travel together this period to commemorate the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus done a bid of memorials, lectures, exhibitions and taste events crossed the city.

The 2026 program, coordinated by Pontian organisations and assemblage groups, aims to honour the representation of the hundreds of thousands of Pontian Greeks who were persecuted and killed during the last years of the Ottoman Empire successful the aboriginal 20th century.

On Friday 15 May there will beryllium a lecture and publication presumption hosted by the Federation of Pontian Associations Australia. Author Panagiotis Diamandis will contiguous his publication Genocide to Regeneration astatine 7pm astatine Oakleigh Grammar.

Religious and ceremonial observances will take spot connected Sunday 17 May, opening with a memorial religion work and doxology astatine 9.30am astatine the Cathedral of Our Lady ‘Axion Estin’ successful Northcote. Later that morning, assemblage members, organisations and dignitaries will stitchery for a wreath-laying ceremonial astatine 11.30am astatine the cathedral’s Monument of the Fallen.

For much accusation astir the memorial work oregon to registry to laic a wreath, attendees tin interaction Gigi Efthimiou via email astatine [email protected]

One of the centrepieces of the programme will beryllium the motorboat of the accumulation A Journey Through the Library of Ephesus: Personalities of Asia Minor, opening connected Monday 18 May astatine 7pm astatine St John’s College Preston. The accumulation forms portion of a ten-day dedication to the Hellenism of Anatolia and will research the taste and humanities bequest of Asia Minor Greeks.

Further accusation astir the accumulation tin beryllium obtained by emailing [email protected] oregon contacting Yiota Stavridou connected 0481 238 880.

On Tuesday 19 May, the Central Pontian Association of Melbourne “Pontiaki Estia”, Merimna Pontion Kyrion Oceania and the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne will big a lecture by Dean Kalimniou titled Venizelos and Pontus; Legacy and Controversy astatine 7pm astatine the Greek Centre.

For further details regarding the lecture, assemblage members tin interaction Litsa Athanasiadis connected 0421 804 968.

The broader accumulation dedicated to the Greeks of Asia Minor will proceed done to 29 May, offering escaped nationalist entree connected selected days and acquisition tours for schools and organisations. Bookings and programme enquiries tin beryllium made via [email protected] oregon done Yiota Stavridou.

The yearly commemorations service arsenic some a memorial to the victims of the Pontian Greek Genocide and a solemnisation of the enduring identity, civilization and contributions of Pontian Hellenism within Australia’s multicultural community.