Emigrants commemorate their ancestors
The emigrants who lost their lives on the migration route after the Turkey-Greece Population Exchange were commemorated with carnations thrown into the Black Sea in Samsun.
Within the scope of the event held on the 99th anniversary of the population exchange, the refugees gathered at the pier built on the “Kurtun Yolu” on the place known as the Tobacco Pier at that time, symbolizing the arrival of the Bandırma Ferry to Samsun.
Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Demir, in his speech, stated that the first step of the way to the foundation of the Republic was taken here and that they will leave carnations in the sea to commemorate this day right here.
Noting that among the provinces with the highest exchanged population in Turkey, Demir said, "I am one of those who know and live the beauty and richness of this.
Exchanges carry the values that make us who we are in their genetics. They are in love with our nation, our homeland, our flag, and our future, and they do their best in this regard. May God not let any of us experience that pain again."
Melek Dirican Üner, a member of Samsun Exchange and Balkan Turkish Culture Research Association, who read the press text on behalf of the associations participating in the program, stated that approximately 2 million people were affected by the exchange.
Üner said, "We, who have children and grandchildren who experience the pain of being exchanged, organize commemoration events every year on the anniversaries of the exchange. We commemorate our family elders who lost their lives in the war and the path of eyes with respect, longing, and mercy."
