Nikos Frankopoulos is a student at the Southern Federal University, a representative of the Greek community of Rostov-on-Don and a descendant of the Pontic Greeks.

 Nikos was born and raised in Rostov-on-Don, but his roots go back to the Pontus region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, which is historically the homeland of the Pontic Greeks. Today, the young man is in his second year of graduate studies at the Faculty of Law of the Southern Federal University. According to him, the choice of profession is associated with an interest in issues of justice, law and government — topics that largely overlap with the philosophical heritage of Ancient Greece.

"The first mentions of the Pontic Greeks date back to the 8th century BC. At that time, the Ionian Greeks founded colonies on the southern coast of the Black Sea - in cities that are now located on the territory of Turkey: Trebizond (now Trabzon), Sinop, Samsun. Since those times, our nationality has been formed," says the student.

Speaking about the cultural identity of his people, Nikos emphasizes that the Pontic Greeks have been forming a special culture for centuries, which persists today. Despite the fact that they remain part of the large Greek people, the Pontians have their own peculiarities — language, music, dancing, as well as elements of everyday life and family traditions. These cultural traits have developed historically: the people lived on the southern coast of the Black Sea, interacted with neighboring cultures and at the same time carefully preserved their identity.

 Traditions that have survived the centuries

 The Orthodox faith plays a special role in preserving the traditions of the Pontic Greeks. According to Nikos, it is the religious calendar that largely shapes the rhythm of life and determines significant moments throughout the year. One of these traditions is the making of the Kira Sarakosti doll, symbolizing the period of Great Lent before Easter. It is made from different materials, most often from colored paper or dough. Such a doll becomes a kind of reminder of the spiritual meaning of fasting and helps to visually count down the weeks that remain until the main Christian holiday.

"Kira Sarakosti depicts a girl in the pose of prayer, and she has seven legs — according to the number of weeks of Great Lent. Every week, one foot is removed, and thus you can track how Easter is gradually approaching. At the same time, the doll does not have a mouth and ears — this is a symbol that during the fasting period you need to give up gossip and empty conversations and pay more attention to spiritual purification," adds Nikos.

 Along with religious holidays, historical dates related to the fate of the country and its people occupy an important place in Greek culture. One of these dates was Ohi Day, which is celebrated annually on October 28. This holiday is associated with the events of the Second World War and over time has become a symbol of national unity and dignity. Today, it is celebrated not only in Greece, but also in Greek communities around the world: military parades, commemorative events and church services are held.

 "The word "ohi" is translated from Greek as "no". In 1940, dictator Mussolini issued an ultimatum to Greece to deploy its troops on its territory for further military operations. In response, the Greek leadership said a short “no,” and it was this word that became a symbol of resistance. Now this day is celebrated throughout Greece, Cyprus and in all Greek communities: military parades, commemorative events and services are held in temples," explains Nikos.

In addition to the festive dates, the days of remembrance associated with the tragic events of their history are also important for the Pontic Greeks. One of these dates was May 19, the day of mourning for the victims of the genocide of the Pontic Greeks in the Ottoman Empire. This date holds a special place in the memory of the people and recalls the fates of people who were persecuted and forced to leave their native lands. For representatives of the Pontic diaspora, this day remains a time of remembrance of their ancestors and their history.

 The taste and rhythm of Pontic culture

 An equally important place in the life of Greek families is occupied by the national cuisine. Traditional dishes are always present on the festive and everyday table, especially unsweetened pastries and snacks. Among them is tiropita, a layered filo pastry pie with feta cheese and herbs. Recipes may vary from family to family, but it is  these dishes that remain an invariable part of any feast and are passed down through the generations as an element of family tradition.

 "In addition to the well—known Greek dishes — Greek salad, olives and traditional pastries - baklava is also characteristic of our cuisine. This is a dessert that is found among different peoples, but it also occupies an important place in Greek families. No holiday is complete without her, and she often becomes a symbol of celebration and family gathering," says the SFedU student.

If we talk about the bright elements of cultural life, which are especially noticeable on holidays, first of all it is worth noting the dances of the Pontic Greeks and music. The central place in this area is occupied by the Pontic lyre, an instrument played at family celebrations, community meetings and large celebrations. It is her melody that sets the mood for the event and unites generations. Among the modern performers, Nikos highlights the Tsakhouridis brothers, who make Pontic music recognizable and popular among young people.

 "The choreographic heritage deserves special attention, the Serra dance is especially important — it is a historically martial male dance that symbolized the movements of warriors and was performed as preparation for battle. Now it is danced on holidays as a sign of respect for the past. There is also omal, a simpler dance, the name of which translates as "smooth", and its peculiarity is that everyone can learn it, so everyone participates in the celebrations," explains Nikos.

 A university where cultures meet

 The hero of the issue emphasizes that he perceives his nationality as an important part of his personal identity and a system of values formed by upbringing and family traditions. He notes that studying at SFedU takes place in a multinational environment: his group included students from Africa, the Caucasus and different regions of Russia. It helps to better understand other cultures and communicate with people with different experiences. The University also supports cooperation with national communities and provides an opportunity to participate in joint initiatives.

 "SFedU has facilities for students from different countries and regions to communicate, as well as to interact with national communities. It was especially significant for me that the Modern Greek language courses were organized for students at the Institute of Sociology and Regional Studies of the Southern Federal University in collaboration with the Greek community. I believe that students' participation in these courses and joint activities with the community are important not only for learning the language, but also for getting to know the culture," Nikos emphasizes.

 The student keeps in touch with his historical homeland and tries to visit Greece regularly. Thessaloniki is especially important to him, a city with a rich history, founded with the participation of the Pontic Greeks and important for Greek culture. He notes that iconic places are concentrated here — the embankment, the White Tower and monuments to historical figures — which allow you to feel a deeper connection with the past and better understand the cultural context of the country.

 Dialogue of cultures and a look into the future

 Reflecting on the unity of the peoples of Russia, Nikos emphasizes that this does not mean the similarity of cultures. In his opinion, it is more important to preserve the identity of each nation with mutual respect and open dialogue. He notes that in a multinational environment, it is especially noticeable how significant the interest in each other's traditions and willingness to cooperate are.

"For me, unity is not the erasure of differences, but the ability to live side by side, preserving one's culture and at the same time being interested in others. When people know their roots and are ready to listen and understand their neighbors at the same time, trust appears. It is from this trust that a real society is formed," the hero of the issue notes.

 Nikos Frankopoulos connects the future of our country with the active position of youth and their participation in public life. In his opinion, it is the new generation that determines what the level of mutual respect will be and how stable the dialogue between different cultures will be.