Greek Parliament Honors the Memory of 353,000 Pontic Greeks with ‘G’ Lighting

The Greek Parliament honored the memory of the martyred 353,000 Pontic Greeks who fell victim to genocide by illuminating its building with the letter ‘G,’ representing ‘Genocide.’ May 19th has been officially recognized by the Greek Parliament since 1994 as the Day of Remembrance for the Genocide of the Pontic Greeks, who were targeted in a campaign of ethnic cleansing. On Monday, May 19, 2025, the Greek Parliament commemorated this day by projecting the letter ‘G’ onto its facade, symbolizing mourning for the victims of the genocide. The logo was inspired by a photograph depicting the march of 5,000 orphans near Harput in 1922. The semi-circle of the ‘G’ is formed by human figures symbolizing the ‘death marches’ endured by displaced Pontic Greeks, during which a significant portion of the population perished. At the end of the procession, an amaranth plant appears through the figures. Known for retaining its vibrant yellow color and shape for years after being cut, the amaranth represents the resilience of the Pontic Greek community, which survived despite being uprooted from their homeland. This highlights the deep-rooted belief that the Pontic Greek culture will continue to thrive. No truth or silence can cover the massacre of 353,000 Pontic Greeks between 1916-1923. As emphasized by the Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece, ‘If we forget, we will be lost.’