Nikos Kapetanidis (Pontic: Νίκος Καπετανίδης, 1889–1921, aged 32) was a Greek journalist and newspaper publisher. He was one of the notable Pontians hanged by Turkish nationalists serving under Mustafa Kemal.
Kapetanidis was born in Rize, a city in the Pontus region of the Ottoman Empire (modern Turkey). He attended the Phrontisterion of Trapezous, a Greek middle level school in Trebizond. He began criticizing the education system while studying at the Phronsisterion of Trapezous. Kapetanidis was frustrated with the lack of skilled teachers. In his opinion, most contemporary teachers didn't encourage critical or creative thinking.[1]
Many of Kapetanidis' opinions about education were influenced by his nationalist beliefs. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hellenic nationalism was on the rise. European Greeks were the main advocates of the Megali Idea ("Great Idea"), which encouraged the reformation of a Byzantine state in Greece and Anatolia. In order to foster Hellenic nationalism and pride outside of Europe, the Kingdom of Greece set up Greek consulates in the Ottoman Empire. It also sent Greek teachers to communities in Anatolia. This effort encouraged nationalism among some Anatolian Greeks, especially those in the educated upper classes.
For those Pontians who embraced ethnonationalism, their supposed European origin replaced their former self-identification as Ottoman Christians.[2] Photiadis and Iliadou-Tachou argue that the rise of Turkish nationalism during the early 1900s fueled Greek nationalism and populism within the Ottoman Empire. Kapetanidis was one of the few Pontians who vocally supported these nationalist ideas.[1]
Language was considered an important force to unite the European Greeks and the Eastern Greek populations. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Kapetanidis wanted vernacular Greek to be the teaching language of Pontian schools. In his mind, this would make knowledge more accessible to the average person.[3]
After graduation, he became one of the most prominent journalists and active members of the local Greek press.[1] Kapetanidis published his own newspaper, Epochi, literally "Seasons."[1] It was published four times a week in Trebizond between 1918 and 1921. It was one of the most influential Greek newspapers in Trebizond. Other contemporary Pontic newspapers were Faros tis Anatolis in Trebizond and Eleftheros Pontos in Batumi.[4]
He spoke on educational issues through his newspaper, supporting the use of vernacular Greek in the local schools. Moreover, he insisted that education shouldn't be controlled by the religious authorities, in particular the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Kapetanidis believed that teachers should train students as nationalist thinkers. In his mind, religious education was far less important than nationalist education.[1] Kapetanidis also stated that teachers should receive high wages. At the time, many Pontic Greek teachers left the profession because of low pay. A year before his death, he wrote in Epochi, "For the sake of our dignity as Romans...[a]you must not think that teaching us means begging."[3]
Death
Epochi, according to scholar Maria Vergeti, was the most important Greek-language newspaper in Trebizond. Kapetanidis was a prominent figure in the Trebizond Greek community.[5] Some other influential Anatolian Greeks, such as Chrysanthos, the contemporary Metropolitan Bishop of Trebizond, encouraged Ottomanism: the peaceful coexistence between Turks and minorities. Unlike Chrysanthos, Kapetanidis used his position to advocate radical nationalist ideals, such as an independent Pontic state and the reunion of Pontos with Greece.[1]
In 1921, the Turkish government conducted the Amasya trials. According to Vergeti, these trials "sentenced to death the spiritual and political leadership of the Pontic Greeks."[5] Kapetanidis, a radical figure, was sentenced to death. However, so were men like Matthaios Kofidis, a politician popular among Muslims and Christians alike. Historian Tessa Hofmann termed these trials "the extermination of the Anatolian Greeks under a legal pretext."[6]
A bust of Nikos Kapetanidis, sculpted by Gagik Altumian, stands in Marousi, Greece.[8] A full-body statue of Kapetanidis, made by Giorgos Kikotis, was revealed in Stavroupoli, Thessaloniki, in September 2021, on the 100th anniversary of his death. A relief on the base depicts the execution of Pontian men in Amasya. The sculpture was vandalized the same month.[9][10]
References
^ abcdefPhotiadis, Kostas; Iliadou-Tachou, Sofia; Pougaridou, Paraskevi-Anastasia (2011). "Οι Περί Γλώσσης Αντιλήψεις του Μητροπολίτη Τραπεζούντας Χρύσανθου Φιλιππίδη και ο Εκπαιδευτικός Δημοτικισμός της Εφημερίδας Εποχή (Τραπεζούντα 1920)" [The linguistic perceptions of the metropolitan Chrysanthos Philippides of Trabzon and the educational “demoticism” of the newspaper "Season" (Trabzon 1920)]. ResearchGate (in Greek). University of Western Macedonia. pp. 1, 7–8.
^Morris, Benny; Ze'evi, Dror (April 24, 2019). The Thirty-Year Genocide. Harvard University Press. pp. 25–27. ISBN9780674240087.
^ abKapetanidis, Kostas N. (December 1, 2020). "Οι (διαχρονικά) εξευτελιστικοί μισθοί των Εκπαιδευτικών και η απαξίωση της Δημόσιας Εκπαίδευσης". Journal of the Authors (in Greek).
^ (in Greek). Επιτροπή Ποντιακών Μελετών. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
^ abcdVergeti, Maria (1993). "Ethno-Regional Identity: The Case of Pontian Greeks" (in Greek). Panteion University. p. 107. doi:10.12681/eadd/2548. hdl:10442/hedi/2548. Η καταδίκη σε θάνατο το 1921 από το ειδικό δικαστήριο της Ανεξαρτησίας στην Αμάσεια της πνευματικής και πολιτικής ηγεσίας... Ο εκδότης της κυριότερης των ελληνικών εφημαρίδων του Πόντου, Νίκος Καπετανίδης, translation: An ad-hoc "Independence Tribunal" sentenced to death the spiritual and political leadership of the Pontic Greeks... among them the publisher of the most important Greek newspaper in Trebizond, Epochi.
^ abHofmann, Tessa (2007). Verfolgung, Vertreibung und Vernichtung der Christen im Osmanischen Reich : 1912-1922 (in German) (2. Aufl. ed.). Münster: Lit. ISBN9783825878238. mit den Unabhagikeits-Gerichten verfolgte Mustafa Kemal ein doppeltes Ziel... translation: with the "Independence Tribunals" Mustafa Kemal reached two goals: first the extermination of the Anatolian Greeks under a legal pretext..."
^Koromēla, Marianna (1991). Hoi Hellēnes stē Maurē Thalassa apo tēn epochē tu chalku hōs tis arches tu 20u aiōna (Ellēnikē ekd. ed.). Athēna: Panorama. p. 408. ISBN9789608514218. ...Nikos Kapetanides, publisher of the newspaper Epochi. He was hanged by the Turks in Amaseia, in 1921.
^"On Sunday, the unveiling of the bust of Nikos Kapetanidis in Maroussi". Pontos News (in Greek). November 5, 2017.
^"Τελετή Αποκαλυπτηρίων Μνημείου του Εθνομάρτυρα Νίκου Καπετανίδη στον Δήμο Παύλου Μελά". Dimos Pavlos Mela (in Greek). September 21, 2021.
^Savvidis, Panagiotis (September 29, 2021). "Βανδάλισαν το άγαλμα του ήρωα δημοσιογράφου του Πόντου, Νίκου Καπετανίδη". Protothema (in Greek).
Notes
^The self-identification as Romans dates to the Byzantine Empire; Byzantines thought of themselves as successors to the Roman Empire.
External links
January 29, 2023
nikos, kapetanidis, pontic, Νίκος, Καπετανίδης, 1889, 1921, aged, greek, journalist, newspaper, publisher, notable, pontians, hanged, turkish, nationalists, serving, under, mustafa, kemal, born1889rize, ottoman, empiredied1921, aged, amasya, ottoman, empirenat. Nikos Kapetanidis Pontic Nikos Kapetanidhs 1889 1921 aged 32 was a Greek journalist and newspaper publisher He was one of the notable Pontians hanged by Turkish nationalists serving under Mustafa Kemal Nikos KapetanidisBorn1889Rize Ottoman EmpireDied1921 aged 31 32 Amasya Ottoman EmpireNationalityOttomanOccupation s Journalist newspaper publisherKnown forHis newspaper Epochi and his execution Contents 1 Life and career 2 Death 3 Legacy 4 References 5 Notes 6 External linksLife and career EditKapetanidis was born in Rize a city in the Pontus region of the Ottoman Empire modern Turkey He attended the Phrontisterion of Trapezous a Greek middle level school in Trebizond He began criticizing the education system while studying at the Phronsisterion of Trapezous Kapetanidis was frustrated with the lack of skilled teachers In his opinion most contemporary teachers didn t encourage critical or creative thinking 1 Many of Kapetanidis opinions about education were influenced by his nationalist beliefs During the late 1800s and early 1900s Hellenic nationalism was on the rise European Greeks were the main advocates of the Megali Idea Great Idea which encouraged the reformation of a Byzantine state in Greece and Anatolia In order to foster Hellenic nationalism and pride outside of Europe the Kingdom of Greece set up Greek consulates in the Ottoman Empire It also sent Greek teachers to communities in Anatolia This effort encouraged nationalism among some Anatolian Greeks especially those in the educated upper classes For those Pontians who embraced ethnonationalism their supposed European origin replaced their former self identification as Ottoman Christians 2 Photiadis and Iliadou Tachou argue that the rise of Turkish nationalism during the early 1900s fueled Greek nationalism and populism within the Ottoman Empire Kapetanidis was one of the few Pontians who vocally supported these nationalist ideas 1 Language was considered an important force to unite the European Greeks and the Eastern Greek populations Unlike some of his contemporaries Kapetanidis wanted vernacular Greek to be the teaching language of Pontian schools In his mind this would make knowledge more accessible to the average person 3 After graduation he became one of the most prominent journalists and active members of the local Greek press 1 Kapetanidis published his own newspaper Epochi literally Seasons 1 It was published four times a week in Trebizond between 1918 and 1921 It was one of the most influential Greek newspapers in Trebizond Other contemporary Pontic newspapers were Faros tis Anatolis in Trebizond and Eleftheros Pontos in Batumi 4 He spoke on educational issues through his newspaper supporting the use of vernacular Greek in the local schools Moreover he insisted that education shouldn t be controlled by the religious authorities in particular the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople Kapetanidis believed that teachers should train students as nationalist thinkers In his mind religious education was far less important than nationalist education 1 Kapetanidis also stated that teachers should receive high wages At the time many Pontic Greek teachers left the profession because of low pay A year before his death he wrote in Epochi For the sake of our dignity as Romans a you must not think that teaching us means begging 3 Death EditEpochi according to scholar Maria Vergeti was the most important Greek language newspaper in Trebizond Kapetanidis was a prominent figure in the Trebizond Greek community 5 Some other influential Anatolian Greeks such as Chrysanthos the contemporary Metropolitan Bishop of Trebizond encouraged Ottomanism the peaceful coexistence between Turks and minorities Unlike Chrysanthos Kapetanidis used his position to advocate radical nationalist ideals such as an independent Pontic state and the reunion of Pontos with Greece 1 In 1921 the Turkish government conducted the Amasya trials According to Vergeti these trials sentenced to death the spiritual and political leadership of the Pontic Greeks 5 Kapetanidis a radical figure was sentenced to death However so were men like Matthaios Kofidis a politician popular among Muslims and Christians alike Historian Tessa Hofmann termed these trials the extermination of the Anatolian Greeks under a legal pretext 6 Nikos Kapetanidis was hanged in September 1921 in Amasya during the Pontic Greek genocide 7 5 Turkish nationalists serving under Mustafa Kemal 6 later called Ataturk executed him He was among several notable Greeks killed as a result of the Amasya trials 5 His last words before he died were Long live the land of the Hellenes Legacy EditA bust of Nikos Kapetanidis sculpted by Gagik Altumian stands in Marousi Greece 8 A full body statue of Kapetanidis made by Giorgos Kikotis was revealed in Stavroupoli Thessaloniki in September 2021 on the 100th anniversary of his death A relief on the base depicts the execution of Pontian men in Amasya The sculpture was vandalized the same month 9 10 References Edit a b c d e f Photiadis Kostas Iliadou Tachou Sofia Pougaridou Paraskevi Anastasia 2011 Oi Peri Glwsshs Antilhpseis toy Mhtropolith Trapezoyntas Xrysan8oy Filippidh kai o Ekpaideytikos Dhmotikismos ths Efhmeridas Epoxh Trapezoynta 1920 The linguistic perceptions of the metropolitan Chrysanthos Philippides of Trabzon and the educational demoticism of the newspaper Season Trabzon 1920 ResearchGate in Greek University of Western Macedonia pp 1 7 8 Morris Benny Ze evi Dror April 24 2019 The Thirty Year Genocide Harvard University Press pp 25 27 ISBN 9780674240087 a b Kapetanidis Kostas N December 1 2020 Oi diaxronika e3eytelistikoi mis8oi twn Ekpaideytikwn kai h apa3iwsh ths Dhmosias Ekpaideyshs Journal of the Authors in Greek Koinotikh Drash in Greek Epitroph Pontiakwn Meletwn Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 29 May 2014 a b c d Vergeti Maria 1993 Ethno Regional Identity The Case of Pontian Greeks in Greek Panteion University p 107 doi 10 12681 eadd 2548 hdl 10442 hedi 2548 H katadikh se 8anato to 1921 apo to eidiko dikasthrio ths Ane3arthsias sthn Amaseia ths pneymatikhs kai politikhs hgesias O ekdoths ths kyrioterhs twn ellhnikwn efhmaridwn toy Pontoy Nikos Kapetanidhs translation An ad hoc Independence Tribunal sentenced to death the spiritual and political leadership of the Pontic Greeks among them the publisher of the most important Greek newspaper in Trebizond Epochi a b Hofmann Tessa 2007 Verfolgung Vertreibung und Vernichtung der Christen im Osmanischen Reich 1912 1922 in German 2 Aufl ed Munster Lit ISBN 9783825878238 mit den Unabhagikeits Gerichten verfolgte Mustafa Kemal ein doppeltes Ziel translation with the Independence Tribunals Mustafa Kemal reached two goals first the extermination of the Anatolian Greeks under a legal pretext Koromela Marianna 1991 Hoi Hellenes ste Maure Thalassa apo ten epoche tu chalku hōs tis arches tu 20u aiōna Ellenike ekd ed Athena Panorama p 408 ISBN 9789608514218 Nikos Kapetanides publisher of the newspaper Epochi He was hanged by the Turks in Amaseia in 1921 On Sunday the unveiling of the bust of Nikos Kapetanidis in Maroussi Pontos News in Greek November 5 2017 Teleth Apokalypthriwn Mnhmeioy toy E8nomartyra Nikoy Kapetanidh ston Dhmo Payloy Mela Dimos Pavlos Mela in Greek September 21 2021 Savvidis Panagiotis September 29 2021 Bandalisan to agalma toy hrwa dhmosiografoy toy Pontoy Nikoy Kapetanidh Protothema in Greek Notes Edit The self identification as Romans dates to the Byzantine Empire Byzantines thought of themselves as successors to the Roman Empire External links EditFront page of January 19 1921 edition of Epochi Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nikos Kapetanidis amp oldid 1094590373, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
