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Koutoujian Commemorates Pontian Greek Genocide in Athens
By Contributor // Posted on May 23, 2013 in Community
Peter J. Koutoujian (second from left) and other dignitaries at the
Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day event in Athens
On Sun., May 19, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was a featured speaker at
the Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day gathering in Athens,
Greece. He was invited to speak in Athens' Syntagma Square by the
Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece.
Koutoujian spoke about the shared history of the Pontian Greeks and
the Armenians, both of whom suffered during the Ottoman Empire's rule
in the early 20th century. He spoke about how those events brought the
two ethnic groups together and bound them in history, while also
underscoring the importance of coming together to remember and honor
those who perished and survived.
`Because my grandfather did not give up hope when he fled
Turkey - didn't give up on humanity, or the capacity of the human
spirit - I am able to speak to you today as the descendant of a
survivor,' Koutoujian said.
`And I am not the only one; there are millions of us. That is why
today is so important. We are maintaining a legacy for those who
perished, but also for those who survived.'
Sheriff Koutoujian, whose paternal grandparents fled Marash to escape
the genocide, has been a vocal leader in bringing recognition to the
Armenian Genocide.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/05/23/koutoujian-commemorates-pontian-greek-genocide-in-athens/
From: A. Papazian
By Contributor // Posted on May 23, 2013 in Community
Peter J. Koutoujian (second from left) and other dignitaries at the
Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day event in Athens
On Sun., May 19, Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian was a featured speaker at
the Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day gathering in Athens,
Greece. He was invited to speak in Athens' Syntagma Square by the
Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece.
Koutoujian spoke about the shared history of the Pontian Greeks and
the Armenians, both of whom suffered during the Ottoman Empire's rule
in the early 20th century. He spoke about how those events brought the
two ethnic groups together and bound them in history, while also
underscoring the importance of coming together to remember and honor
those who perished and survived.
`Because my grandfather did not give up hope when he fled
Turkey - didn't give up on humanity, or the capacity of the human
spirit - I am able to speak to you today as the descendant of a
survivor,' Koutoujian said.
`And I am not the only one; there are millions of us. That is why
today is so important. We are maintaining a legacy for those who
perished, but also for those who survived.'
Sheriff Koutoujian, whose paternal grandparents fled Marash to escape
the genocide, has been a vocal leader in bringing recognition to the
Armenian Genocide.
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2013/05/23/koutoujian-commemorates-pontian-greek-genocide-in-athens/
From: A. Papazian