On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Destruction of Smyrna, the 3rd High School of the Greek Community of Melbourne (City Campus) is holding a series of special lessons this year on the historical past of the city in Asia Minor.
The students, under the guidance of their class teacher, Vasiliki Lampropoulou, study books, recipes, music, and general observational material that recreates the memories of the great development of Smyrna before its torching and destruction by the Turkish nationalists.
The port of the city, the small shops, the commercial traffic, the sports clubs, the Schools, the celebrations, and the daily life of the inhabitants of Smyrna (Izmir), everything is reconstructed and becomes a source of knowledge and familiarisation for the school students with an aspect of Hellenism, which has passed but must not be forgotten.
The return to the dream world of Izmir is achieved even through the study of the diet and the traditional recipes of the city, such as the one that the students and their teacher chose to cook: Smyrneika suzukakia!
The aromas of cardamom and cumin, the scents of fresh herbs and sauce, and the creations ‘transported’ the students in the most pleasant and immediate way to the folklore tradition of the family meal which is a ceremony, an occasion for gathering, communication and hospitality.
The paradise that the Asia Minor Romioi describe to us, their memories, life, and values are still a legacy of timeless value. And tasting lessons… become history lessons.
