MELBOURNE — Greek media highlighted a commemorative event marking the 111th anniversary of the Sayfo Genocide, during which the Ottoman Empire and allied Kurdish tribes targeted the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean), Greek, and Armenian peoples for death and expulsion.
The event featured a diverse cultural program that included speeches, music, and traditional artistic performances. It was attended by religious and community leaders, as well as politicians and academics.
Participants reflected on the suffering endured by the Syriac (Aramean–Assyrian–Chaldean) people and Greeks during that period, emphasizing the importance of continuing efforts to raise awareness and secure official recognition of the genocide in Australia.
As part of the program, Greek writer and academic Themistocles Kritikakos delivered a speech discussing his book, Memory, Trauma, and the Struggle for Genocide Recognition in Australia.
Kritikakos noted that the impact of the genocide has persisted across generations, particularly among diaspora communities. He also highlighted the historical connections between Australia and these peoples, referencing testimonies and humanitarian efforts during the First World War.
He concluded by stressing that official recognition of the genocide remains absent and is a humanitarian and historical necessity that extends beyond the affected communities themselves.
