Attached there are some photos from Minister Michael Atkinson's presence at the
PanPontian Federation of Greece's Commemoration at Ayia Sophia Square in Thessalonike, Greece, on the 19th May, 2009. According to newspaper and police reports, over 15,000 people were present and gave Minister Atkinson the welcome and reception he truly deserved as a Phil-Hellene who acknowledges the truth, respects history (as a scholar) and who proclaimed the recognition of the Christian Genocide in Anatolia, making specific reference to the plight of the Pontic-Hellenes, the Asia Minor Hellenes, the Armenians, the Assysians, the Nestorian and other Christian minorities.
Every time any of the speakers referred to Minister Atkinson's presence at Ayia Sophia Sqaure, there was a thundering applause; and rightly so. In the words of the President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, Harry Tavlaridis, "Our Minister Michael Atkinson is a modern day Trantellena" (a Pontian term for "thirty times an Hellene"/Τραντέλλενας). We are proud of our Minister.
Peter Jasonides
Alternate President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia
Alternate Secretary of the International Confederation of Pontian Hellenes.
