Cyprus integrates study of Pontic Greek genocide into school curriculum

The Republic of Cyprus has officially integrated the study and commemoration of the Pontic Greek genocide into its national education system. Education Minister Athena Michaelidou announced that schools across the country will conduct thematic lessons and events throughout the academic year to preserve historical memory. This policy is supported by legislation establishing May 19 as an official Remembrance Day for the victims of the genocide, which occurred in the Ottoman Empire between 1914 and 1923 with an estimated death toll of 350,000 to 360,000. Additionally, a central national monument to the genocide, funded by the presidency and the municipality, was unveiled in Paralimni by President Nikos Christodoulides on May 19, 2026. The government's broader initiative includes providing university scholarships and designating state space for research into the tragedy. Education officials stated that these efforts aim to educate students on the history of Hellenism and foster active citizenship. The program also highlights the historical parallels between the displacement of Pontic Greeks and the ongoing division of Cyprus.