BACK TO ALL

Nafplio - Memorial events for the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Smyrna, May 11th to 22nd 2022

Smyrna burning 1922, Great Fire of Smyrna, καταστροφή της Σμύρνης 1922

A large tribute with various memorial events, on the occasion of the completion of 100 years since the Catastrophe of Smyrna has been planned by the Municipality of Nafplio, beginning on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 in Kolokotroni Park and ending on May 22nd 2022, in New Byzantine's Square. Smyrna Catastrophe: Genocide of Greeks in Asia Minor Remembered.

This very rich program includes speeches, exhibitions, dances and concerts, all inspired from Smyrna (Izmir) and the never forgotten homeland of the ancient Greek Asia Minor.

The program consists of three parts. The first part hosts the inaugural event, which will take place in Kolokotroni's Park in collaboration with the Association of Philologists of Argolis, during which the philologist Mr. Anastasios Chatzianastassiou will bring to life the memories of Smyrna, through historical records and literary texts.
The second part is of religious content and is organized in collaboration with the church council and the parish of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni. The third part is dedicated to the Smyrna of music and songs.

Opening event
Wednesday, May 11th 2022, at 09:30 am in Kolokotroni's Park.
It is implemented in collaboration with the Association of Philologists of Argolis, where the philologist Mr. Anastasios Chatzianastassiou brings to life the memories of Smyrna, through historical records and literary texts.

Duration of Events
From Wednesday, May 11th until Sunday, May 22nd 2022

About the locations
Opening event at Kolokotroni's Park, on Wednesday, May 11th 2022 at 9:30 am.
Second and third part of events: Neo Vyzantio Bistrict, Square of Neo Vyzantio in Nafplio (in front of the Holy Temple of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni), in the modern city of Nafplio.

Smyrna burning 1922, καταστροφή της Σμύρνης 1922
Smyrna burning 1922, καταστροφή της Σμύρνης 1922

Did you know that?
September 12th 1922 marks one of the darkest days of Hellenism, as Smyrna, one of the most prosperous and beautiful cities on the Mediterranean coast of Asia Minor, was destroyed by the Turks, sending hundreds of thousands of Greeks to a homeland they had never known.
Smyrna Catastrophe: this term refers to the events of the massacre of the Greek and Armenian population of Smyrna by the Kemalist army, as well as the burning of the city, which occurred in September 1922. This destruction began 7 days after the withdrawal of the last Greek military unit from Asia Minor and after the entry of the Turkish army and Mustafa Kemal himself into the city. 
In 1922, after the Asia Minor Catastrophe, refugees from Constantinople, Cappadocia, Ionia and Pisidia arrived in the city of Nafplio.
For the construction of the refugee residences, an area was chosen in the northeastern part of the city, between Argous and Asklipiou streets, on a 50-acre estate, donated by Anna Iatrou, widow of the great donor and former mayor of Nafplio.
The refugee settlement was called "Neon Vyzantion" or simply "Sinikismos" (Settlement), as the people of Nafplio usually call it. In 1929 the construction of the first refugee houses began, while the project lasted a total of over seven years.
The central church of the "Sinikismos" (Settlement), built with personal work and the financial support of refugees, is dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen and was inaugurated in 1961.

37.56834490099, 22.808780359793