# Turkish-Greek population exchange descendant reunions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-greek-population-exchange-descendant-reunions
> Updated: 2026-10-10T13:14:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Descendants of populations exchanged between Turkey and Greece have held various commemorative gatherings to honor their shared history and cultural heritage.

In September, approximately 10,000 people gathered in the Cerrah neighborhood of İnegöl, Bursa, for the 11th Karacaova Exchangeees Reunion. The event brought together descendants of those who migrated from the Karacaova region of Thessaloniki to Turkey in 1923. The program included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Atatürk Monument and musical performances.

In October, a traditional “Kırçma Buluşması” event was held in Semetli, Tekirdağ, organized by the Tekirdağ Metropolitan Municipality and a local Balkan Turks association. This gathering, which celebrated the end of the harvest season, featured a communal meal for 1,000 people and the playing of both Turkish and Greek national anthems to preserve cultural ties.

During the Tekirdağ meeting, Lagos Nikos, Deputy Mayor of Nea Rodosto, Greece, expressed emotional sentiments regarding the visit to the lands once inhabited by their ancestors. Olcay Ceylan, President of the organizing association, noted that the Kırçma tradition serves to celebrate agricultural abundance and the spirit of communal labor.

## Claims

- Visiting the lands where their grandfathers once lived is an emotional experience for the Greek guests. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The event aimed to preserve cultural ties and shared history between descendants of exchanged populations. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Kırçma gathering was held in the Semetli neighborhood of the Süleymanpaşa district in Tekirdağ. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The event brought together descendants of people who were part of the population exchange between Turkey and Greece. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Lagos Nikos, Deputy Mayor of Nea Rodosto, expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown to Greek visitors. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The ceremony included the playing of both the Turkish and Greek national anthems. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Kırçma is a traditional table set in Rumeli and Balkan culture to celebrate the completion of the harvest and to give thanks for abundance. (single source)
- A communal table for 1,000 people was established in Semetli Neighborhood. (single source)
- A communal table for 1,000 people was established in the village square. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-10: Tekirdağ hosts meeting for Turkish and Greek population exchange descendants

Descendants of the Turkish and Greek population exchange met in Tekirdağ, Turkey, for a traditional 'Kırçma' harvest celebration to honor their shared cultural heritage and history.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/tekirda-hosts-gathering-for-turkish-and-greek-exchange-descendants

### 2026-09-13: Cerrah hosts large reunion for Karacaova exchangee descendants

Nearly 10,000 people gathered in Cerrah, Bursa, for the 11th Karacaova Exchangeees Reunion, celebrating the descendants of those who migrated from the Balkans to Turkey in 1923.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cerrah-hosts-large-reunion-for-karacaova-exchangee-descendants

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Cite as: Turkish-Greek population exchange descendant reunions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-greek-population-exchange-descendant-reunions