Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
Mon Mar 19, 2018, 04:37 PM Mar 2018

Greece: Thessaloniki grapples with Holocaust taboo

Last edited Mon Mar 19, 2018, 08:26 PM - Edit history (1)

On the University of Thessaloniki's campus, there is a memorial to the Greek victims of the Holocaust. It was built in 2014 — very late for a city once known as the "Jerusalem of the Balkans."

"There are still people in Thessaloniki who don't know that the campus used to be part of the Jewish cemetery," says filmmaker Lydia Konsta.

The cemetery was destroyed during the Nazi German occupation. This was done in cooperation with the city's administration, who were pursuing goals of their own. Large parts of Thessaloniki had been destroyed by fire in 1917 and the Jewish gravestones were to be used for the remaining repairs. Thus, one of the world's largest Jewish cemeteries disappeared into the streets, sidewalks and churches of the city.

---snip---

The many victims' associations in Greece use the term "Holocaust" in connection with the cruel massacres committed by the Nazis, in which non-Jews were also killed. "The Jews were killed for the simple reason that they were born. Most others were killed for purely political reasons," says Molho. "A lot of people haven't understood this. And many still don't want to understand it. For me, that's anti-Semitism."

This form of anti-Semitism is sometimes openly expressed: "The Germans killed 360 people in my village," a retired teacher from Crete told DW, "but Hitler was right about the Jews. They still hold the world's power to this day, and they don't respect the crucifix." A 41-year-old animal keeper from Serres in northern Greece says: "Why should we deal with such stupidities as the Holocaust today? Anyway, the young generation has nothing against the Jews."


To this day, parts of headstones from Jewish cemeteries can be found embedded in sidewalks around Thessaloniki

more...

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Greece: Thessaloniki grapples with Holocaust taboo (Original Post) Behind the Aegis Mar 2018 OP
Is there a link? enough Mar 2018 #1
Yes Behind the Aegis Mar 2018 #2
that last sentence Skittles Mar 2018 #3
Basically, she is saying the Jews are Greeks. Behind the Aegis Mar 2018 #4
OK that makes sense Skittles Mar 2018 #5

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
3. that last sentence
Tue Mar 20, 2018, 05:45 AM
Mar 2018

"Someone who cannot acknowledge that half of the city's population used to be Jewish will never understand that it is also because of this, that the city is Greek."

can you explain that, Behind the Aegis; not sure I understand.

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
4. Basically, she is saying the Jews are Greeks.
Tue Mar 20, 2018, 05:58 AM
Mar 2018

If people refuse to admit to the Jewish population, then they are ignoring the history of the city, which include(ed)s Jews. It is a slightly awkward sentence, but it boils down to "Jews are Greeks".

Skittles

(152,964 posts)
5. OK that makes sense
Tue Mar 20, 2018, 03:46 PM
Mar 2018

wow BtA, I am disappointed by the reference of hateful garbage coming from young people - I know people can be raised to hate, but it is so much easier now to education yourself, hear other points of view

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Editorials & Other Articles»Greece: Thessaloniki grap...