The Genocide of the Greeks of Asia Minor, Pontos and Eastern Thrace Remembered The 100 th Commemoration of the “Great Catastrophe” Symposium; A Great Success
Skokie – A sellout crowd of more than 350 participants attended the 100 th Commemoration of “The Great Catastrophe,” held on April 7 th . The Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center hosted the event, in collaboration with the Asia Minor and Pontos Hellenic Center, the Pontian Society of Chicago, the Pan Pontian Federation of USA and Canada, the Pan-Pontian Youth Association of USA and Canada.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Ed. Center
Kelley Szany, Vice President of Education and Exhibitions at IHMEC, welcomed the guests by reminding them of the IHMEC mission of honoring those whose lives were lost in the holocaust and in other genocides around the world.
Event organizers also used the event to showcase the involvement of the Pan-Pontian Youth Association/USA and Canada. Under the leadership of Soula Skoupas and Adonis Stergiou, the youth group created a “pop-up museum” of Pontian Greek artifacts. The exhibit tastefully traced the culture and contributions of their ancestors. According to AMPHRC President, George Mavropoulos, “The enthusiastic participation of our youth gives us hope that the history of the suffering and the success of the Pontians will not be forgotten.”