The most distinctive household items kept by the ‘Agios Polykarpos’ Brotherhood of Asia Minor Greeks of Chania in the ‘House of Asia Minor Greeks’ are probably a cutlery set and a pair of door handles.
According to testimonies by refugees, there were many among them who, upon closing their house door for the last time, took their house keys with them. Whether it was the hope of return, the fear of nostalgia, or the need for some tangible memento, many refugees were compelled to rescue objects of great emotional value or intense symbolism. Two such objects could be the formal cutlery set used to serve guests during parties and feasts, or the door handles that used to be screwed to the house’s main door.
