Upper Darby, PA – The Pontian Society “Akritai” of Philadelphia hosted its annual Thanksgiving weekend dance at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church this past Saturday. The 80th-anniversary affair commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Greek Pontian Genocide.
The evening featured performer was Matthaios Tsahouridis from Greece, a Pontic Greek musician, and composer who plays a range of stringed musical instruments. Tsahouridis was born in Veria, Greece, and started performing music at age 9. In both Greece and Turkey, he is currently considered to be the best Pontic Lyra (Kemençe) player.
Tsahouridis was accompanied by fellow musicians from Greece, and several well known Greek American musicians, including Christos Tiktapanidis on Lyra, Vasilis Tekeoglou on Klarino, and Ioannis Apazidis playing Daouli.
AHEPA Supreme President George Horiatis was also recognized for his years of service in the community and his work on Greek and Greek-American issues. Following the award ceremony, a special dance was performed by the Akritai Society’s dance group.