Commemorations and memorial events commenced on Monday ahead of the annual May 19 remembrance of the Pontian Greek Genocide – which falls on Wednesday.
Ethnic Greek Pontian groups around the world on the specific day remember the more than 350,000 victims of the genocide between 1916 and 1923 at the hands of the Ottomans and Turkish nationalists in Pontus, the ancient land on the southeastern shores of the Black Sea and the inland mountains.
Greece’s Parliament has already recognized the Pontian Genocide, with the goal now being international recognition of the calamity.