The Pontian Association of Montreal was founded in 1964. It was founded by Greek immigrants of
Pontian heritage. They decided to create an association in order to maintain their culture and
traditions in this new and very different country they came to. The main reason for this association
was simple, get together, reminisce and talk about the “patrida”. But that would quickly become just a
pass time.
The members knew that in this new land one could easily forget their roots and traditions.
They had the first annual dance, a day in which all Pontians and friends could get together at a
reception hall devoted mostly to Pontian music and dance the night away. The council would then
begin what has become traditional today, the “sinestiasi”, a small get together for the die-hard
Pontian party go-ers devoted to Pontian music, food, drink and as always discussions on the
“patrida”. As the years passed the association gave them more than just a place to get together. It
gave friendships, bonds and another Greek tradition, the “koubaro and koubara”. For this reason the
Association became even more important. In a country where the streets looked different and the
language was new, there was a place that they could go to and meet with the people that made them
feel as if they were home even in this foreign country. Most of the Pontians in Montreal came from
cities and towns in Macedonia
such as: Thessaloniki, Katerini, Verria, Serres, and some from Pontos itself. But the difference with
this association, as compared with others, was that it did not matter what part of Greece, Pontos or
any other part of the world they came from, they were all Pontians. If new Pontian immigrants came to
Montreal, they would feel at home in the association. In the early years of the association the Pontians
of Montreal had something that few of the younger generations of today have. There existed an
unbreakable bond with one another. And although they have grown today into larger families and
have greater responsibilities, that bond still exists.

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The first official meeting was held in 1964 at the Holy Trinity church on Sherbrooke West. The first
official executive council was elected and the 39-year history of the Pontian Association of Montreal
began. After the association was founded in 1964, the meetings were held at various locations, the
church, the kafenio or anywhere that the council could meet. It was in 1971 that the association rented
it’s first space at 4610 Park Avenue and opened the doors to all as the “lesxi”, (the club or gathering
place). Between Villeneuve and Mount Royal on the west side the lesxi was small but cozy. It was
there that the association began to do more that get together. The first dance group was formed in the
lesxi in 1971and the association started to promote and represent the Pontian culture in Montreal. In
1972 the lesxi moved to 4857 Park Avenue, between St. Joseph and Villeneuve on the east side. It
was there that it became obvious to the members that the lesxi was growing and that a more
permanent location would be necessary. Still small, still cozy yet still renting, it soon became evident
that it was time to make a serious decision. And in 1977 and after 13 successful years The Pontian
Association of Montreal made the biggest decision of its career to date. After a general assembly
meeting the member voted unanimously to buy a building. They became one of the first and very few
Greek associations in Montreal to purchase a building. The lesxi took on the more official name of
“Syllogos” (society) and opened its doors on 5879 Park Avenue. The building, consisting of two large
apartments upstairs and the “ethousa” (reception) on the main floor, was a prime purchase located
between Van Horne and Bernard on the east side and in a thriving Greek street full of clubs, café’s or
kafenia and many restaurants. It was open daily for coffee drinks and game play such as dominoes,
cards, tavli, ping-pong and much more. The Syllogo’s dance groups grew as some members had
children and Sundays became synonymous with dance practice because the dance teacher was
given this day to his disposal.
From 1964 until 1989 the Pontian Association of Montreal flourished. The successes of purchasing
the building, the annual dances, sinestiasis, dance groups and so much more, contributed to the
growth of the Pontian culture in Montreal. The performances at Belmont park by the dance group in
the late 70’s, the very successful and highly praised 9th annual Pan-Pontian convention held from
September 2-5 of 1988 and the trips to others cities in North America were just some of the great
events of that span. It seemed that nothing could stop the growth of the Syllogo. But in 1990 came the
first great set back in the Associations history. In the month of June, the building was badly damaged
in a fire. The insurance did
not cover all of the damages, the Syllogo had many meetings with the insurance company, a re-
mortgage was taken on the property to meet the expenses and the repairs took very long to complete.
More time than expected was lost to all of this and many things changed for the Syllogo. When the
renovations were finally completed in late 1990 the association did not enjoy the same enthusiasm it
did in the previous years. The people who would gather at nights found other places to pass their
time and the dance
groups suffered after loosing their dance floor. The Syllogo transformed into the lesxi, the lesxi into
the building and the building into just a place to hold meetings. The Pontian Association of Montreal
took a couple of steps back. With the dance group at very low numbers and the Syllogo empty, the
Pontian Association had to start from the beginning. But after laboring for so many years and making
the Syllogo a success the older members were tired. And then came the re-building years of 1991-
1994. The core members stayed on and worked hard to bring the Syllogo back to its traditional form.
(An important note however was that at no time did the Association cancel any annual dances or
considered a year without a sinestiasi, a true testament to the will of the Pontians) How could the
Syllogo move ahead from here? The answer was simple to the older members. Get the youth
involved!
In came the youth movement of 1991. Long awaited for by the older members, this year marked the
appearance of the young Pontians. The first generation “Pontian Montrealers”. While many other
Syllogi were wondering how to get the “neolea” (youth) into the Syllogo, the Pontian Association led by
some of the more active younger members formed the “Pontian Youth of Montreal” (PYM) and in 1991
elected it’s first ever youth council. The dancing groups grew once more and many other associations
would try to replicate the Pontians and bring the youth into their Syllogi. Even though the youth
appeared, the Syllogo was still on shaky ground, and in 1992 the first council that was not voted upon
took shape. What this meant was that because not enough people were interested to run for council,
the usual voting for executive council was waived and a willing 11 members became the council. This
of course, was not a major setback just a revelation that the interest to run the day-to-day operations
of the Syllogo had
dropped. The older members figured things would turn out fine, since the neolea seemed interested;
a couple of steps back but the appearance of the youth were many more steps forward. Unfortunately
it was a temporary fix and the PYM folded in 1993. One of the more important discussions during
1994 & 1995 was how to get the youth involved with the Syllogo. After the PYM folded in 1993 many
attempts were made to revive the group, but with no luck. It seemed that the youth was just not
interested. But the year 1996 brought back the youth. It seemed that the answer to the question, why
the youth halted, was because they wanted to be more involved in the day to day operations and not
just the youth council. Led by some of the active members of the PYM, the elections brought 8 council
members who were under 30 years of age. It was the first time since the first years of the association
that the council consisted of mainly younger members (8 of 13). It was time the older members could
sit back relax and let their children run the Syllogo. 1996 was also the first year that the genocide
events of May 19 were held for a weekend instead of a day. In 1997 the council consisted of youth as
well but it was 1998’s executive
council that really showed that the youth was taking the initiative, 8 of 9 council members were under
30. By 2001, the numbers reached 10 of 11members being from the first generation Pontians of
Montreal.
As the youth proved to be connecting with the Syllogo, the events also became more elaborate. The
May 19 remembrance event grew to include speeches and wreath placements. There was an
exposition held in a library in Laval, the annual dances became bigger and a trip to New York City to
petition the United Nations for the acknowledgement of the Pontian genocide of 1917-1922.
By the year 2002, the revenues reached all time highs and in the month of December the Syllogo
began renovations on the property. The bathrooms, kitchen and cabinets got a face lift and in general
the Syllogo received a much needed 'new look'. In 2003 while the renovations moved to include the
exterior of the building, the new executive council embarked on the 'promote ourselves' agenda: The
layout of the website changed and included more information - Spots on Antenna Satellite, Odyssey
Television and Hellenic horizons were played on TV - Press rellises and radio Programs were
continuously showcasing the association - A more direct line of communication with municipal,
provincial and federal representatives was established - and attendance to our brother associations
and Pan-Pontian Federation functions became mandatory. In 2004 the association celebrated its
40th anniversary with a splendid annual dance which included one of the most talented Pontian
artists, Stathi Nikolaidi. Let's see what 2005 will be like.

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There have been many organizations in the past that have argued, fought and even separated into 2
or 3 different entities. This association has had the luxury of members remaining civil with each other.
That is not to say that the Pontians of Montreal have not argued with one another, they have. But, the
goal of promoting the Pontian culture was always the main concern. Yes someone has walked away
from the Association upset and yes, a very few did not return as active as they once were. The
unwavering truth is that come the annual dance not a single one is missing. The Pontian association
is run in a democratic method and all ideas will eventually have their day in the sun.

One thing to remember is that the Syllogo is not run by employees. Volunteers run it.

The association has a history spanning 42 years filled with its ups and downs, but this association is
one of the most successful Greek associations in Montreal. There will always be a difference of
opinions in all Associations (and let’s face it, we are Greek after all). Things will not always turn out
the way everyone hopes and sometimes the association will suffer. Sometimes things turn out well
and sometimes they don’t. But the most important thing is, when it comes to the Pontian Association
of Montreal, if you put it all on a scale, the good outweighs the bad by a very large margin.

                                     Lefter

This history is based on research conducted through articles, annual albums and interviews with
association members. It is written by an association member. If you see something you believe may
not be right or if you feel there are important events not represented, please e-mail us and we will be
happy to make adjustments after researching your comments.
Συλλογος - Association
Pontian Association of Montreal, "Efxinos Pontos" - Σύλλογος Ποντίων Μοντρέαλ, "Έυξεινος Πόντος" - 5879 Park Avenue, Montreal, H2V 4H4, 514 271-0709
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