Προτομή Νίκου Καπετανίδη

In 1889, a voice cried out in Rize, Ottoman Empire. It was the cry of Nikos Kapetanidis entering the world. This very name, Νίκος Καπετανίδης, resonates with the spirit of a defiant journalist and publisher. Here at the Πρότομη Νίκου Καπετανίδη memorial, we honor his memory. Nikos Kapetanidis, a Pontian Greek, dedicated his life to the written word. His newspaper, *Epochi* (meaning “Seasons”), published in Trebizond from 1918 to 1921, became a beacon of information and critical thought. Πρότομη Νίκου Καπετανίδη reminds us of his commitment to education and demotic Greek. He believed in accessible knowledge for all. He challenged the established educational norms, criticizing the lack of skilled teachers. He championed vernacular Greek as the language of instruction in Pontian schools. Nikos Kapetanidis fiercely advocated for teachers’ higher wages. He famously proclaimed, “For the sake of our dignity as Romans…you must not think that teaching us means begging.” Beyond education, Nikos Kapetanidis used *Epochi* to promote Pontic Greek nationalism. Unlike some contemporaries who favored Ottomanism, Kapetanidis called for an independent Pontic state and unification with Greece. His boldness made him a target. In 1921, during the Amasya trials orchestrated by Turkish nationalists under Mustafa Kemal, Nikos Kapetanidis was sentenced to death. These trials, tragically, silenced many Pontic Greek leaders. Kapetanidis’ final words, “Long live the land of the Hellenes,” echoed his unwavering conviction. The Πρότομη Νίκου Καπετανίδη memorial stands as a testament to his courage and dedication to his people. His legacy endures, inspiring us to champion truth and freedom of expression.