AMGHS EVENT - CENTENARY OF THE CATASTROPHE OF ASIA MINOR & THE DESTRUCTION OF SMYRMA - MONDAY 12th SEPTEMBER TO SUNDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2022
# EVENT UPDATE: Please note two changes to the previously advertised event. Firstly, AMGHS is proud to present in conjunction with New Farm Cinemas the Queensland premiere screening of "Smyrna My Beloved" on Wednesday 14th September 2022. Tickets are $24 pp and includes light refreshments after the film. Booking details can be found in the flyer below. Secondly, the cultural exhibition will finish on Saturday 17th September, and will not be open on Sunday 18th September 2022. #
The Asia Minor Greek Historical Society (AMGHS) in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Community Of St. George is proud to present a series of events commemorating the Centenary of the Catastrophe of Asia Minor and the destruction of Smyrna during the month of September 2022.
During the week of Monday 12th September, to Sunday 18th September, there will be an exhibition featuring snippets of the very long history of Asia Minor including the great Catastrophe culminating in the destruction of Smyrna 100 years ago, the plight of the Hellenic refugees and their journey to safer lands to begin a new life. This exhibition will be located at function room of the Kafenio Brisbane, 8 Vulture St West End.
On Tuesday 13th September, Professor Con Aroney A.M. and Despina Drakos will be keynote speakers at the Centenary of the Catastrophe of Asia Minor Lecture. This will be held at The Greek Club, Edmondstone St, South Brisbane. Doors open 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. Professor Aroney’s presentation “The Asia Minor Catastrophe – The Crime and the Courage” will describe the history of Greeks in Asia Minor from ancient times and the political events leading up to the destruction of Smyrna in 1922. It will also frame the events of the catastrophe through the eyes of his grandparents and great-grandparents from the Caris and Girdis families who suffered and died in the conflagration.
Despina Drakos’s presentation “Australia’s Asia Minor Cultural Heritage” will describe why the first pioneering migrant Greeks of Asia Minor that came to Australia and how they assisted their family members and friends to join them after the 1922 Catastrophe. Drawing from her father’s eyewitness accounts of the Catastrophe and recollections of life in West End within the Hellenic Asia Minor and greater Greek community of that area, Despina describes some of the achievements of those families.
Plan an exhibition visit in the afternoon, followed by dinner at Kafenio Brisbane and finish off with the Lecture at the Greek Club. There. the Hellenic Dancers will perform a selection of dances from Asia Minor in regional costume. This is a night not to be missed!
On Wednesday 14th September will be the Queensland premiere of the film "Smyrna, My Beloved" at New Farm Cinemas, 701 Brunswick St New Farm. This moving drama recounts the 1922 burning of the cosmopolitan city of Smyrna and the assault on its vibrant and prosperous Greek and Armenian communities. Veteran actress Mimi Denissi is the creative force behind SMYRNA, MY BELOVED. The film is based on her play, which ran in Athens for an unprecedented three seasons and was seen by more than one million viewers. She co-wrote the script and stars in the film.
On Friday 16th September, the Annual Kalomana Lecture will be held at the Welfare Room, Greek Orthodox Community Administration building, rear of The Greek Club / Greek Orthodox Church, Edmonstone St South Brisbane. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Amelia Brown, will present “Ancient Monuments and Contemporary Sorrow: Seferis’ Poetry and the Hellenic Legacy of Asia Minor”.
The week concludes with a Memorial Service on Sunday 18th September. This service will take place at the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, Edmondstone St, South Brisbane. Divine Liturgy begins at 9.00am. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Trisagion will take place at the cenotaph adjacent to the church. You are invited to lay your wreath in memory of the fallen and the survivors of the Catastrophe at this time.
You are invited to join us for morning refreshments at The Greek Club, but please RSVP before Monday 12th September to assist with catering.
