For Immediate Release
May 18, 2009
Boston, Massachusetts
The Pontian Society “PANAGIA SOUMELA OF BOSTON” is organizing a series of events, from May 23 – 24, to commemorate the Genocide that was committed by the Turkish state against the Greeks, in Pontos and Asia Minor.
Many millions of innocent lives have been perished so violently at the start of the 20th century. Even though it is not yet, Internationally recognized, it is well documented that more than 2.5 million, Armenians, Greeks and Assyrian peoples have been massacred by the Ottoman and Kemalist Governments from 1914 to 1923, as it is proven by many of the documents available and some free thinking, reputable Turkish researches and scientists admit.
The memorial events will begin Saturday, May 23, at the Lesxi of the Society, 587 Albany Street, Boston MA, an evening with our youth, welcoming the visitors from Greece cultural group, with speeches and an open discussion about the Genocide and the messages that should be received from these commemorative events.
Sunday 24, at 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy and Memorial Service, by His Eminence the Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, at Saint John the Baptist, 15 Union Park St, Boston MA.
- At 5:00 PM a reception and program will follow at Maliotis Cultural Center with keynote Speaker, Publisher and Author Mr. Savvas Kalenteridis "The pontian question as a contemporary political issue".
- Also the Internationally known Historian and Author Mr. Taner Akcam, Professor of History at Clark University, Massachusetts, will speak on the "Importance academic research of the genocide in pontos".
- Cultural Presentation "Phases of life and history in pontos" Peaceful period – Capture of Trapezous – Genocide and Uprooting, through songs, music and dance, as well as a Documentary "Genocide historical archives" by MOMOGEROI, Thessaloniki, Greece.
- An unforgettable trip to the centers of Hellenism, photo show "Thraki - Konstantinople - Pontos - Kapadokia - Asia Minor" by Mr. Savvas Kalenteridis, Publisher and Author, Athens, Greece.
We believe, that the Jewish Holocaust is the result of the Genocides committed by the Ottoman and Kemalist Governments, which were never recognized and punished, as we know Hitler based his "Final solution" against Jewish people, on the asylum given to Kemal and Neoturks for the genocides they have previously committed.
The crime of genocide is not a crime against one ethnic group or a part of it. IT IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. Therefore the struggle for the International recognition of the Genocides does not only a concern of the Hellenes of Pontos and Asia Minor.
It concerns all humanity, and we are committed to continue to make the most important struggle, a human being can make.
NO MORE GENOCIDES !!
Demetrios S. Kosmidis, General Secretary “Panagia Soumela” of Boston.
PONTIAN SOCIETY "PANAGIA SOUMELA" OF BOSTON
587 Albany Street Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: (617) 338-7453
www.panagiasoumelaboston.com
webmaster@panagiasoumelaboston.com