For older generations, Asia Minor was an experience, songs, tastes, places, places, houjas, folklore, traditions, superstitions, a wealth of coexistence with other races.  For our generation it is the memory we hold in our hands, like a baton, to pass on to the younger generation. What do we keep of it? What do we leave behind?  How does history reach us?

Six distinguished guests, each from their own perspective, talk about the narrative of Asia Minor to journalist Margarita Pournara

This is a special series of events at the Hellenic American Union, which will run from March to June 2022 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Catastrophe. These meetings will take place in the Hellenic American Union’s glass roof overlooking Athens and in the presence of a small audience due to the pandemic, but will be broadcast live on the Hellenic American Union’s website and YouTube channel.

The fifth guest, on May 18, at 19:30, is the American author and journalist Lou Ureneck, who is coming from Boston especially for the event.

In his book published by Psychogios, “The Great Fire.  Smyrna September 1922” describes the actions of American Methodist pastor Asa Jennings, who was in Smyrna during the days of the Catastrophe. Through his own coordinated actions and the help of two naval officers, an American and a Greek, he managed to save thousands of lives. Jennings’ story remains unknown to the Greek public and Ureneck’s research brings it to light, describing in his book both the tragic days that wiped a cosmopolitan city off the map and the period after the fire. A professor of journalism and a gifted scribe, passionate about digging through the archives, the American brings the humanitarian tragedy back to life.
The discussion will be held in English without interpretation.
The event is supported by the Maria Tsakos Public Benefit Foundation.

Date Wednesday 18 May 2022, 19:30

Online address on the Hellenic American Union Athens website and YouTube channel (Hellenic American Union Athens – YouTube)
Attendance Free attendance with pre-registration on the Hellenic American Union website
Information Cultural Affairs Division (2103680052), [email protected], www.hau.gr