The ceremonies for the Commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Pontian Greeks’ genocide on Sunday culminated at the Turkish Consulate with Pontic associations delivering a resolution.
The ceremonies, that were organized by the Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece, started at the Metropolis of Athens with a memorial service. Dozens of state officials and representatives of Pontic associations attended the liturgy at the Cathe-dral.
After the liturgy, there was a procession to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Syntagma Square. There, the ceremony of the Change of the Presidential Guard was conducted by Pontian Evzones with the traditional uniform.
Pontian activist Tamer Cilingir delivered a speech, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The ceremonies culminated with a rally to the Turkish Consulate where a committee of Pontians delivered a resolution asking from Turkey to acknowledge the Pontic Genocide. Turkish governments through the century have refused to recognize the Pontic Genocide.
Pontic song and dance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
A performance to commemorate and honor the victims of the Pontic Geno-cide followed the liturgy and the wreath-laying, the performance was titled “Pontus: Crucifixion and Mem-ory”.
Several acclaimed singers and musicians such as Giorgos Dalaras, Kon-stantinos and Matthaios Tsachouridis, Elena Kelessidou, Melina Aslanidou, Eleni Ouzounidou, Haik Yatzidyan, Sarina Krous, Pela Nicolaidi and Christos Kaliontzidis performed at the emblematic Odeon of Herodes At-ticus.
The Pontian dance group Eknefsis performed the traditional dances of Pontus accompanied by a choir and an orchestra.
