Today is the International Day of Remembrance of the Pontian Genocide. 

In addition to remembering those who were massacred, we celebrate the thriving Pontian culture that survived the genocide and has spread to communities throughout the world. 

The following video (below) is from 15 years ago, when a Pontian dance group performed one of the most famous Greek dances in front of a millions of television viewers from all over the world.

During the closing ceremony of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, dozens of dancers dressed in traditional Pontian uniform performed the “Serra” war dance.

The name of this centuries-old dance originates from the Serra river in the region of Trapezunda near the Black Sea.

Similar to other Pontian dances, the “Serra” dance incorporates “tremoulo,” when dancers rapidly shake their upper torso by turning their back on its axis. 

Pontian dances such as the “Serra” are similar to Greek dances except for that they do not include a single leader.

See the full video