Metal plaques depicting two identical female figures holding a candle, a right arm, and a little girl are the votive offerings gracing the collection of the ‘Agios Polykarpos’ Brotherhood of Asia Minor Greeks of Chania, a collection of keepsakes donated by refugee families displaced from Asia Minor 100 years ago. The offerings depicting the female figures and the right arm appear to have come from a mould, while the one with the little girl was probably handmade.
Two refugee families have donated the wedding wreaths brought over by their ancestors to the ‘House of Asia Minor Greeks’, a space where refugee keepsakes are exhibited by the ‘Agios Polykarpos’ Brotherhood of Asia Minor Greeks of Chania. One pair of wreaths is still in its display, which bears the initials ‘M.-E.’, while the second pair has survived tied up with its original ribbons.
Nightgowns, dresses, linen were donated as keepsakes to the ‘House of Asia Minor Greeks’ established in Chania by the ‘Agios Polykarpos’ Brotherhood of Asia Minor Greeks of Chania. These clothing items, their white yellowed by wear and the passage of time, are now carriers of refugee memory from Asia Minor.
‘Kiz kilim. Bought in Thessaloniki in 1924 from an elderly Asia Minor refugee. Part of a dowry. It was the custom back then for all the friends of the bride to weave a kilim to which each friend would add some adornment as a memento; a piece of her dress, a lock of her hair, a feather from her favourite bird, a lucky charm.’ This short note handwritten by Chrysiida (Lou) Pierrakou (née Vatikioti) records the origins of this handmade rug and the starting point of its long journey.
Anna Drania donated to the small museum of the ‘Nea Sinasos’ Association the horse decorations, the whip and the hat belonging to her great-grandfather Andreas Chatzitheofanous, who arrived in Greece as an exchangeable refugee in 1924. He was accompanied by his entire family and they all settled in Hydra, leaving behind their wealth and a comfortable life which Andreas tried to rebuild in Greece.
Holding baby Jesus, showing tenderness and mercy, being blessed and full of grace, giving life, mourning, praying; these are just some of the iterations of Virgin Mary, the ‘Mother of God’, in the Orthodox tradition and art. As descendants of refugee families, the members of the ‘Agios Polykarpos’ Brotherhood of Asia Minor Greeks of Chania are responsible for the preservation of the icons their Asia Minor ancestors brought with them.
