Ta Smyrneika Tragoudia

In these days of remembrance of the Greeks of Smyrna, there are certain songs which stand out for their sheer sincerity, and beauty. This particular song, performed by Pantelis Thalassinos, perfectly captures the spirit of Greek Smyrna, and evokes a gamut of emotions in the viewer, from sadness, anger, hope, and, finally, to a greater understanding, and appreciation of, the Greeks of Smyrna.

14th September: National Remembrance Day for the genocide of Asia Minor Greeks by the Turkish State

Today, 14th September, is the Day of National Remembrance in commemoration of the genocide of Asia Minor Greeks by the Turkish state. This song, which is performed by famous Greek singer of Asia Minor descent, Georgos Dalaras, is a tribute to the memory of the Greeks of Smyrna who lost their lives during the Asia Minor Catastrophe in 1922. It also celebrates those Greek Smyrnaeans who were forced to leave their ancestral homelands in Asia Minor, and start new lives in Greece and other countries, under extremely difficult, and trying circumstances.

St. Chrysostomos of Smyrna - Saint Day 12th September

In memory of St. Chrysostomos of Smyrna, Metropolitan of Smyrna, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his flock and Smyrna; may his memory live on eternally.

Ελληνική Σμύρνη - Greek Smyrna

It is a well documented fact that the Greeks of Smyrna were an advanced civilization in all respects, and the following video is one example of how progressive they were, and before their time. It is also a reflection οf, and insight into, just how cosmopolitan Smyrna was in this era.

The Greeks of Smyrna were a people who published a vast array of newspapers which dealt with various topics of interest to their readers, and, apart from this, wrote invaluable literature which has survived the test of time, and, is thankfully stored at the Ένωση Σμυρναίων (The Association of Smyrnaens) which is in Athens, Greece. The role of Greek women in Smyrna society, also, is another topic explored in the video.

Women were more liberated in Smyrna than their female counterparts were in Greece, holding various employment positions outside the home but, at the same time, they were proud of, and valued their husbands and families, their families reciprocating this in return. The Greek women of Smyrna were also notable for their dignity, and the particular care they took with their appearance, wearing only the finest, most tasteful jewellery and fashions of the era.

Apart from this, the Greeks of Smyrna also partook in other cultural pursuits, and were active in sports such as soccer, hurdles, cycling, fencing, boxing, sailing, golf, tennis, and equestrian sports. Smyrna was also the birthplace of the rembetiko, and key singers of this music, such as Marika Ninou and Rita Abatzi, were born there. Finally, the video also outlines how the theatre was of paramount importance to the Greeks of Smyrna, and that Smyrna was the birthplace of noted Greek thespians, among these, Kyveli Adrianou, Mitsos Myrat, and over one hundred and fifty others. I hope you enjoy this excellent video.

Welcome to SmyrnaGreekConnection

Welcome to my blog, SmyrnaGreekConnection. It is a blog dedicated to those humane, wonderful, artistic, industrious Greek people who lived in the city of Smyrna, Asia Minor, for thousands of years, and celebrates their memory, and their tremendous contribution to Greek life in all its different spheres.

 

As the purpose of this blog is one of information, learning and sharing about the Greeks of Smyrna, it will largely be about the Greek experience in Smyrna before 1922, the year of the Great Fire of Smyrna, and the Asia Minor Catastrophe. This is not to obviate the importance of these events in history, as these have been well documented by historians and others with an interest in the Greeks of Smyrna.

With this blog I wish to cast a spotlight upon other aspects of Greek life in Smyrna, such as cultural life, cooking, theatre, religion, which many times, and for thoroughly understandable reasons, have taken a backseat to the tragic events of 1922.

I have a family connection to Smyrna, as my maternal grandmother Maria Coroneos, nee Maria Kokkinogenis, was born in the seaside city of Cordelio, Smyrna, on 14th September, 1905. My grandmother had tragically lost both of her parents, Manoli and Efthalia Kokkinogenis, at a very young age, and was raised by her loving maternal grandmother, Vasiliki, a retired school teacher, who looked after Maria after both her daughter and son-in-law passed away.

Maria was a highly talented youngster, and a specialist cook from a young age, thoroughly devoted to homemaking, which was a much admired quality of Greek women in Smyrna society. Unfortunately, events in Smyrna were becoming untenable around the early 1920s for Greek and other Christian peoples, and Vasiliki arranged for her and Maria to live closer to Vasiliki's brother, Archimandrite Porfirios, in Jerusalem.

A little after Vasiliki returned to Smyrna to take Maria to Jerusalem, the Asia Minor catastrophe unfolded. Vasiliki and Maria were both forced to partake in the death marches of Greeks which were taking place at this point. The women did not know where they were going, and witnessed many cruelties and other unspeakable acts committed upon Greeks. Eventually, though, the women found refuge, as a Greek man took them under his wing, and they escaped, finally landing in Palestine.

Maria, at the age of 20, married a Greek gentleman from Egypt, Christoforos Coroneos, in Jerusalem. Maria's grandmother Vasiliki happened to be present in a Greek Orthodox church service in Jerusalem when she befriended a Greek lady from Egypt, Maria Coroneos, the mother of Christoforos, and, from there, Maria followed Christoforos to Egypt. Maria and Christoforos settled in Heliopolis, Cairo, where they raised five children, one of which is my mother.

Maria stayed with her family in Egypt until December 1953, when they began their journey to emigrate to Brisbane, Australia to join her two elder daughters and eldest son, who had left Egypt one year previously. Christoforos sadly passed away in 1958, but, as always, Maria was solid, calm, philosophical and beautiful in character, and totally unflappable in the face of adversity. Maria passed away in February of 2000, and is much lamented.
 

My grandmother was a beautiful human being in all respects, and my mother, sister and I miss her terribly, and will always remember her for her generosity of spirit, grace, and willingness to listen to other people, and offer a good word. My grandmother, like other Greek Smyrnaeans, was a jewel, and will never be forgotten. I am sure that my story is one of many millions throughout the world. Here’s to the Greeks of Smyrna, and may their memory, and legacy live on.

Athanasios Jonacas, Brisbane, Australia