Pontian Hellenism in continuous “exodus” – prosfygia. Testimonies and interviews

• Published in: Cahiers balkaniques (Paris) Vol. Hors-série
• Main Author: Charitidou, Georgia I
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cahiers balkaniques 29-10-2024; Centre d'Études Balkaniques
• Subjects: displacements; Pontus; refugee; Stalin; Turks; Πόντος; Stalin; Στάλιν; Turks; Pontus; εκτοπισμοί; réfugiés; Staline; refugee; displacements; Turcs; Pontos; προσφυγιά; Τούρκοι; déplacements
• ISSN: 0290-7402; 2261-4184
• DOI: 10.4000/12l9e

Hellenism, established on the shores of the Black Sea (Greek Pontus) since ancient times (8th century BC colonization), preserved the Greek language and the Greek Spirit. The end of this era in the Pontus region, came after coordinated persecutions, displacements and the Turkification of populations as well as coercive works during the Ottoman Empire; Intensified after the dominance of the Young Turks and Kemal, at the beginning of the 20th century (1913-1923 AD). Over this decade, the Pontus Greeks were forced to leave their homes and follow endless death marches. Many fled to Southern Russia, where under Stalin they faced new persecutions and deportations with the few survivors eventually repatriating to Greece. This continuous “Exodus” – refugee (Greek prosfygia) and its characteristics i.e. losses, problems, adaptation etc, are highlighted by the testimonies of Pontians, which were gathered by the Committee of Pontian Studies, the scientific body of Pontians.