Athens’ Syntagma Metro Station to Host Asia Minor Catastrophe Tribute

The “A century …in Ιonia, Τhrace & Pontus” exhibition. Photo source: TIF.

Athens’ metro station at Syntagma Square will host an audiovisual tribute commemorating 100 years since the Asia Minor catastrophe.

Following a successful showing during the 86^th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), where it premiered, the audiovisual event will be open to the public at the metro station’s multi-purpose events space, running in 30-minute slots from 09:30am to 08:00pm, between January 16 and 22. Entrance is free of charge.

Titled “A century …in Ιonia, Τhrace & Pontus”, the tribute acts as a time machine that takes its viewers on a journey to Greece’s recent history, examining the changes that occurred with the arrival of almost one and a half million refugees from Asia Minor and the area of Pontus to their “new” homeland.

The show is divided in narrative sections, starting from the place of origin before the catastrophe and moving towards the displacement of the refugees and finally their settlement in Greece which greatly affected the country’s historic course.

The “A century …in Ιonia, Τhrace & Pontus” exhibition. Photo source: TIF.

It is enriched with images, videos and other material taken from historical archives which are shared through contemporary technical means.

Associate Professor of the Department of Balkan, Slavic & Oriental Studies at the University of Macedonia Vlasis Vlasidis curated the historic aspect of the show, while actor Alexandros Nikolaidis acted as its narrator and music composer Jannos Eolou wrote original music for its soundtrack.

TIF Helexpo SA alongside the Central Union of Municipalities of Greece (KEDE) and the Network of Cities with Hellenic Communities of the Near East have organized the tribute, whose Athens’ run is supported by the Regional Union of Municipalities of Attica, the Municipality of Athens and the Athens Urban Railway Transport SA (STASY).