A Re-Assessment of Greek History and Culture in Asia Minor by Modern-Day Turkey

There appears to be have been a change of heart in the past few years on the part of Turkey, and its attitude towards the varied minorities who have played such an important role in its history since time immemorial. This is especially poignant taking into account the country's stance towards its Greek Smyrnaean and other minorities in the past, the events of 1922, and the country's fervent pro-Turkish, anti-Greek sentiment at the time. There seems to be an awakening on the part of Turkey that other cultures apart from their own were indeed an important part of Asia Minor, and enriched the cultural fabric of the country immeasurably with their presence.

A number of notable examples come to mind from the last few years. Famous Greek singer Haris Alexiou, whose family origins are from Smyrna, had a street name in the Gaziemir district of Smyrna named in her honour in 2010, see this article for more.

Apart from this, a number of Greek church re-constructions and refurbishments have also been taking place in Turkey over the past few years. One of the most interesting is that of the renovation of the Agios Voukolos church in downtown Smyrna, see this for more. This was one of the only churches which was left largely unscathed by the fire of 1922, and, over the years, has been used for various purposes. While, unfortunately, it will not be utilized as a church in its current incarnation, but, as a cultural centre, it has been renovated almost back to its former glory.

It is also pleasing that there is a small, but important church for the present-day Greeks of Smyrna to be able to practice their religion. Once a Protestant Dutch church, the Agia Photini church in Smyrna, see this article for more, has been named in honour of the original Agia Photini Smyrna church which was lost in the fire of 1922.

These events signal a new understanding, and re-appraisal of, Greek culture by Turkey, which is heartening in the face of past turmoils between the two countries. Additionally, this can only bode well for the two countries to learn from each other's cultures, and, in turn, become richer for the experience.