92nd Year Commemoration of the Smyrna Greek Genocide, Great Fire of Smyrna, and the Asia Minor Catastrophe

We are again at this point in the year, especially with Christmas toay, when we look back and remember the Greek people of Smyrna, and recall the sacrifices that they made. Those unfortunate people who never left their beloved homelands, leaving their final agonizing breaths in their Smyrna, and, those more fortunate who left with only the clothes on their back, largely never to return to their birthplace, a centre of Hellenism for many years.

The 92nd Year Commemoration of the Smyrna Greek Genocide, Great Fire of Smyrna, and the Asia Minor Catastrophe is always an occasion mixed with much pain, consternation, but, on the other hand, the belief that the human spirit can overcome insurmountable odds, and emerge victorious. I do believe that Turkey has indeed come a long way since Mustapha Kemal's armies arrived and turned Smyrna into an unspeakable heap of ash and untold human misery. Turkey still does have a long way to go in terms of human rights and the proper recognition of their past, in order to become a European country in the way that they believe they should be.

The current president of the country appears to be a man of more integrity, subtlety, and much more nous than many of his predecessors, and recognizes that the country has a deep Greek history. He does not seem to have the overwhelming hatred of Greek people that plagued Kemal, a man born in Greece, who, from what I comprehend, was never a person to negotiate, but just take, a universal problem everywhere, which only has negative repercussions, the Smyrna events of 1922 a prime example.

It is a shame that this event ever occurred, but, the past cannot be undone. It also, unfortunately, exposed the seedy, and uncompromising, underbelly of Europe, in the way that the whole situation played out with many European countries firstly on Greece's side, then defecting to the Turkish side, which is a pattern that plagues Europe whenever Greece is in trouble. It is representative of a lack of culture on their part, and that the decimation of Greek culture will only take attention away from their deficiencies. It is hoped that something can be learned from this situation so that it does not occur again, and that people can live together in peace, and harmony, which would have been the wish of the soulful, clever, and unique Greek citizens of Smyrna.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 9

The ninth, and final part of the documentary deals with how it is not a good thing to senselessly wipe out historical artifacts such as these buildings, but that the overriding factor in all of this comes down to money. It is also typical of Greece that there is no museum of cultural revolutions and wars that took place, and left their mark on the country, unlike other European nations. It is also stated that a city without an history is a city that cannot survive in the long term. I hope that you have found this documentary to be both stimulating, thought-provoking, and interesting. It presents another side to the refugee experience of the Greek people of Asia Minor, and how this horrific event in Greek history still influences what is taking place in Greece to the present day.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 8

The solutions presented to the issue of what will happen to the buildings is one that appears to favour the interests of certain business groups, and not the population, or the city as a whole. Despite this, many inhabitants are adamant that they wish to remain in the buildings. They not only have a sentimental attachment to the building, as they were raised there, but it is also a connection to their parents and families who have long since passed on. The razing of old buildings and the erection of new multi-storey buildings, though, is a common incident, as many aristocratic houses fell, and keeping falling to the same fate many times. Please enjoy part eight of this multi-part series.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 7

Part Seven of the documentary deals with how the tenants of the refugee settlement in the suburb of Drapetsona are being forced out of their houses with no economic remuneration in return for their houses. The main reason that the houses were branded as being of little value is that they were affected by an earthquake which occurred some years ago. The current tenants want to stay in their homes, and took their complaint higher, and it was decided that the actions of developers to oust people from their homes were not legal, but the debate rages on as to how to utilize these buildings. Please enjoy this installment in the series.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 6

The continued deterioration of the buildings largely serves as the rationale to have these demolished, due to their state as an eyesore in the urban landscape. Several tenants have sold on the basis that they may be forced to vacate the building at some point if there is a need for this to happen. One owner states that this is a vicious cycle for him, being that he may have to leave involuntarily, as his father was a refugee, and that, ironically, he will be in the same position if he has to leave his house. Part Six also touches upon the fact that there is interest on the part of developers in the land, but not in saving the present structure.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 5

Over the course of time, demographic and other changes made their impact in the areas where the refugees settled. The entrance of immigrants from the Balkan countries and Albania were significant. It is also interesting how there are both business buildings and a hospital in close vicinity which stand in contrast to the refugee housing settlement. This has had a negative effect on the quality of life in this area with unregulated parking issues and other problems stemming from poor Council practices. Please enjoy part five of this documentary.

"Στην άκρη των χειλιών το ναι" Part 4

Part Four explores how the refugee families who lived in this building retreated during World War II to the Panathinaiko Stadium for shelter, but that this was not the safest place for them either. The British planes caused the exterior damage to the buildings during the wartime, and this remains to the present. There is also a movement to demolish the buildings, which is vehemently opposed by the current tenants. I hope you find this instalment of interest.