INTRODUCTION

Dr Paul Kanonidis, a Pontian Greek, was born in 1955 at Palio Ginaikokastro, Kilkis, Greece. His grandparents were refugees from Argyroupoli of Pontos. Paul had always carried with him an intense desire to travel and to study the glorious country of his ancestors. Pontos. His objective was to research the urban architecture of Pontos because he knew that the enormous Greek civilisation of Pontos was not only unknown to Greeks themselves, but also the world. Paul’s dream was fulfilled in September 2007 when his book titled “Architecture and Civilisation of Pontos” was published.  The book contains over 150 photographs, drawings, maps and impresses which the author uses to prove that Pontos had an enormous cultural, intellectual, and social movement and in general a prosperous form of Hellenism.

 

 

ARCHITECTURE AND CIVILISATION OF PONTOS

BY PAUL KANONIDIS

Dr Paul Kanonidis, a Pontian Greek, was born in 1955 at Palio Ginaikokastro, Kilkis, Greece. His grandparents were refugees from Argyroupoli of Pontos.

In 1968, after experiencing difficult economic conditions in Greece, his family decided to migrate to Melbourne, Australia where he lived for 20 years. In 1983 he graduated with excellent marks from RMIT as an architect. His father’s strong desire to return to his homeland led the family back to Greece in 1984. Paul continued to live, work and excel in Thessaloniki where in the year 2000 he achieved a PhD in architecture from the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

 

Today, Paul works for the Ministry of Macedonia-Thrace as Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage and Modern Civilisation. He is an active member of a number of social groups where he offers his enthusiasm and his time in general. He also attends programs conducted by the European Union. His busy lifestyle is counterbalanced by his love for study, research and writing.

Some examples of his work include "Study and Planning of a village for the elderly Greeks of Australia" and a final year architectural thesis titled "The Diachronic Metablism of the Greek House from the Neolithic period until 20 century". Despite his professional achievements Paul had always carried with him an intense desire to travel and to study the glorious country of his ancestors. Pontos. His objective was to research the urban architecture of Pontos because he knew that the enormous Greek civilisation of Pontos was not only unknown to Greeks themselves, but also the world.

 

Paul’s dream was fulfilled in September 2007 when his book titled "Architecture and Civilisation of Pontos" was published. It was work which had never been done before. A book which is unique. It involved 15 years of research and 5 visits to large and small towns and cities of Pontos, such as Trapezounta, Kerasounta, Samsounta and Argyroupolis. He also travelled to the inland regions . His book combines research and photographs giving the reader a strong sense of the history of the region.

The book contains over 150 photographs, drawings, maps and impresses which the author uses to prove that Pontos had an enormous cultural, intellectual, and social movement and in general a prosperous form of Hellenism.

Throughout his journey, Paul was preoccupied with two things. Firstly the admiration and the love he had for the places he was researching. And secondly, fear that the values enshrined in all these great buildings and monuments would one day be a motive for their destruction.

Paul Kanonidis made this book to stimulate the nostalgia of older Pontian Greeks and also to influence the younger generation. The message he hopes to convey to the reader, is that as long as the memories and the history are alive, a lost homeland and civilisation doesn’t exist.

Paul Kanonidis has gifted the world with a piece of work, a work of love and devotion for the unforgettable region of Pontos.

 

 

 

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