By Aspasia Zontanou
In 1994, the Greek parliament declared that the Pontian Greek Genocide (1914-1923) be remembered every year on May 19. This last Sunday, in Düsseldorf Germany, the Perish of Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Andreas held such a remembrance ceremony. The parish hall was filled to the last seat.
The Greeks of the numerous Pontian Associations of North Rhine Westphalia and Belgium gathered under the vigilance of the very Reverend Ioannis Psarakis and Reverend Theophanis Lappas.
In the presence of the Greek General Consul Gregory Delavekouras, a chorus of young Greeks of the “Xeniteas” Pontian Association of Düsseldorf, honored their ancestors with famous Pontian songs.
Savvas Kelenderitis, author and publisher of www.pontos-news.gr, delivered a presentation of historical information and video footage of the events that lead to the genocide of 350,000 Pontian Greeks and Armenians in the aftermath of World War 1 by the Ottoman Turks.
The Pontian spirit burns brightly here in northern Germany.