Black wreath laid outside Greek Consulate in Edirne over 1821 Morea massacres
A black wreath was laid outside the Greek Consulate in Edirne on Saturday to commemorate the 205th anniversary of the massacres of Muslims in the Morea during the Greek War of Independence.
The protest was organized under the leadership of the Federation of Balkan Turks, with representatives of civil society organizations marching to the Greek Consulate carrying a Turkish flag and a banner reading, “We have not forgotten the Morea massacre, and we will not let it be forgotten.”
Participants subsequently laid a black wreath at the entrance to the consulate.
The event focused on the violence against Muslim communities during the Greek Revolution of 1821. Historical research confirms that Muslims and Jews were among those killed during the sack of Tripolitsa in the Morea in October 1821. Cambridge University Press describes the events as one of the most serious atrocities of the Greek Revolution, noting that Muslims and Jews were indiscriminately killed during the city's capture.
CALLS TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS
Speaking on behalf of the Edirne Federation of Balkan Turks and its affiliated associations, Balkan Rumelia Turks Confederation Secretary-General İsmail Kocaköse said September and October 1821 were marked by massacres in the history of Greece.
Kocaköse claimed that approximately 40,000 Turks were killed within three days and described the events as a historical reality. He also accused Greek irregular forces of desecrating and burning Muslim graves.
He linked the commemoration to contemporary issues concerning the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, arguing that the reopening of Greek minority schools in Türkiye should be accompanied by reciprocal treatment of Turkish minority schools in Greece.
Kocaköse also raised concerns over the administration and disposal of properties belonging to Turkish Muslim foundations in Greece and called for the implementation of a 2008 European Court of Human Rights ruling concerning the recognition of associations using the term “Turkish” in Western Thrace.
“HISTORY MUST NOT BE FORGOTTEN”
Mehmet Kamar, spokesperson for the Babaeski Association for Solidarity with Balkan Turks, said historical suffering should be remembered to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Kamar emphasized that children, women and elderly people should never become targets during conflicts.
“Our message is against the devaluation of human life on the basis of nationality, religion or sect,” Kamar said. He added that while remembering the victims of the Morea and Tripolitsa, participants also bowed their heads for all victims of history.
Following the statements, participants visited an exhibition on the Morea massacres held on Saraçlar Street in Edirne.
The event was attended by Cevat Güneş, president of the Thrace Balkan Turks Culture and Solidarity Association; Erhan Pekkan, president of the Babaeski Association for Solidarity with Balkan Turks; and representatives of other civil society organizations.
