Pontian Greeks Honor Genocide Victims in Athens Ceremony (video)

Hundreds of people gathered in Athens’ Syntagma Square on Saturday to honor the hundreds of thousands of Greeks died or displaced from their homes by the Turks in early 20th century at the annual commemoration of the Pontian Genocide.

Pontian associations were holding a banner with the slogan “I do not forget,” as they watched the change of guard in front of the Unknown Soldier’s Monument with two evzones dressed in traditional Pontic costume as a token of honor in the memory of the 353,000 victims.

A memorial service was help for the victims, followed by speeches by representatives of Pontian associations who called on the international community to recognize the Pontian Genocide.

In a message message ahead of the May 19 Remembrance Day, Greece’s President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, said that “We do not forget the shameful crime and its victims.” He also called on those responsible for the genocide, even now, to apologize.

Source: GreekReporter