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In the early hours of September 7th, 1955, a violent and tragic event unfolded in Istanbul, Turkey. The city, home to a significant Greek population for over 2,500 years, witnessed a pogrom that targeted Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Armenians.
The pogrom, orchestrated by Turkish ultranationalist groups with support from elements within the government and security forces, marked a dark chapter in the city's history. Thanassis Varitimos, a Greek resident of Istanbul, vividly remembers the night. He recalls the roaring of men, the screams of women, the clattering of shattering windows, and the crackling fire that consumed homes and neighbourhoods.
The pogrom was not part of the 2,500 years of Greek history that ended in the city in 1955, but it did significantly impact the resilient Greek population. While it did not mark the end of their presence in Istanbul, it undoubtedly contributed to their decline.
The Istanbul pogrom is often associated with the conquest of Constantinople by the Ottomans in 1453, but it is a separate event from the genocidal population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922/23. Another significant event related to Greeks in Istanbul is this population exchange.
Despite numerous catastrophes, the Greek population in the Bosphorus metropolis survived until 1955. However, the pogrom on September 6th to 7th, 1955, is largely forgotten today. Thanassis Varitimos' neighbourhood and home were burned during the pogrom, but the story of that night is not commonly associated with the decline of Greeks in the city.
The pogrom against Orthodox Christians, Jews, and Armenians in Istanbul on September 6th to 7th, 1955, was committed by fanatical nationalists and criminals. It is a sombre reminder of the intolerance and violence that can erupt in times of unrest, and a testament to the resilience of those who endured such hardship.
Today, the memory of the Istanbul pogrom serves as a reminder of the importance of tolerance, understanding, and peace. It is a testament to the strength of those who suffered, and a call to remember and learn from the past.
