Christmas 1922 for the Greeks of Smyrna

At this time of year, we reflect upon the year which has just passed, and remember our relatives who have passed on, fondly recalling the good times which we spent with them. I think of my grandmother, Maria and her own grandmother, Vasiliki, my great-great grandmother, and can only imagine just how they suffered during the Asia Minor Catastrophe. Their story, though, is an example of the many millions occurring at this time in Asia Minor.

In 1922, The Greeks of Smyrna spent their Christmas in highly adverse circumstances due to the tragic events of the Asia Minor Catastrophe, the Great Fire of Smyrna, and, its horrific aftermath. Families were torn apart forever, children orphaned, countless lives lost, desperate people fled for their lives, these being just several of the life events taking place at this time for the Greeks of Smyrna. For those who managed to escape, and make their way to other countries such as Greece, it was not an easy Christmas for them in any shape, way or form. A people of dignity, poise, highly articulate and educated, the Greeks of Smyrna had to tolerate harsh conditions upon their arrival in Greece, such as living in makeshift shelters, and, being unable to provide for themselves. It was a Christmas endured in the bitter cold of a Greek winter which proved unbearable for them. Apart from this, the Greeks of Smyrna had to face other inequities upon their arrival on Greek shores, which only compounded their sufferings in Smyrna.

There was largely a lack of understanding on the part of the Greek Hellenes towards the Greeks of Smyrna, and indeed all Greeks from Asia Minor. Forms of discrimination on the part of many Greek Hellenes against Ottoman Greeks, such as labelling them a number of derogatory terms, with women not exempt from these classifications, children being treated poorly because of where they were born, and, a general air of racism towards the Ottoman Greeks did not help matters in any respect. The Greeks of Smyrna were a people made to feel like second-class citizens due to their higher knowledge of everything, which was something many Greek Hellenes misunderstood at this time in history.

This video is a vivid example of the torment which the Greeks of Smyrna experienced on their way to a country which they idolized their entire lives, and had always believed would accept them with open arms, but, which they discovered,to their astonishment, did not understand them, and, in many instances, did not wish to.

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.