Smyrna On My Mind

Presentation and launch of the book “Smyrna On My Mind” by George Galdies; a collection of his late father’s thought-provoking memories of Smyrna in the 1920s, and the author’s own narratives on growing up in the Izmir of the mid-twentieth century.

In this book we discover similarities and contrasts between the author’s childhood and that of his father Peter, who was brought up in sheer poverty due to the ravages of war and strife of WW1 whilst the author had the privilege of growing up in the ease of a middle-class family home which his father had managed to create against all odds.
As we read on, there also emerges the parallel tale of the destiny of their birthplace: the Aegean city of Smyrna. A true survivor of invasion, occupation, and destruction, this province rebuilds herself as modern Izmir in record time, as observed and narrated by the author and his father. The transformation is illustrated with personal photographs from early childhood into their late teens.
The chronicle is presented to the reader in the form of alphabetical entries. Each letter reminding the author of words that influenced him the most. These are names of people, places, objects and abstractions that went towards moulding his adulthood.

George Galdies is a native of Izmir, George moved to the UK in 1974 having resigned as British Vice Consul to start a new career in international trade. In his retirement he has been actively seeking to keep alive the memory of ‘Levantine Smyrna’ through writings and gatherings. He is life-member of the Levantine Heritage Foundation

Copies of book available on the night at £15 – please e-mail to reserve a copy.

Find out more here

Organised by the Levantine Heritage Foundation