Pontian speech

1. Commemoration Assembly
Pontian-Greek Genocide
19 May 2017
Mrs Sophia Zachariou: Principal of SAHETI Primary School – delivered
the following message to the pupils, during her welcome, at the
Commemoration Assembly
The child looked up innocently at the man and said:
‘Why, do you speak so strangely and look at the way you are dressed?And
why do the people here, make jokes about you’?
For a brief moment, the man closed his eyes and allowed himself to
wander to the mountainous region of Pontos – where he could hear the
Pontian lyraplaying (kemencie) and the distinct sounds of thedaoulifill the
air.
But quickly,he re-opened his eyes, looked at the child and said:
‘I do not speak strangely, it’s just that my language is different to yours.
And, I look the way I do, as I have no family left, no home or country.
And perhaps, if you hear my story and you are courageous to share it with
your friends – you will be able to stand up, to be seen and to be heard
saying,Never Again to ethnic cleansing.
Boys and Girls – I hope that what you hear at our Assembly this morning,
allows you to have a deeper and better understanding of the unnecessary
horrors, cruelty, devastation and futility that genocide has on humanity.
And that you will be courageous enough to stand up, to be seen and to be
heard saying
‘Never Again to Genocide’
Thank You