Greeks in Uzbekistan

Last updated
Greeks in Uzbekistan
Total population
10,453 [1] (1989, census)
Related ethnic groups
Greeks in Kazakhstan, Greeks in Kyrgyzstan

The Greeks in Uzbekistan number approximately 9,000. The community is made up of Greeks from Russia who were deported by force from that country to Uzbekistan in the 1940s, and political refugees from Greece. The biggest Greek community in the country is in the capital city of Tashkent where most of the Greek political refugees were relocated by the Soviet authorities. [2]

Contents

History

Historical population
YearPop.±%
195920,047    
197032,422+61.7%
197914,025−56.7%
198910,453−25.5%
Sources: [3] [4] [5] [1]

In ancient times the south of modern day Uzbekistan was part of the Hellenistic Seleucid Kingdom, but the few Greek communities from that time assimilated into the general population over time. [6]

About 30,000 Greeks lived in the country before World War II and a further 11,000 arrived after the defeat of the communist Democratic Army of Greece in the Greek Civil War of 1946–1949. Their numbers have dwindled from a high of some 40,000 in the 1960s. The main reason is emigration to Greece after the end of the Cold War when laws allowed the return of all ethnic Greeks who had been exiled for political reasons after the Greek Civil War.

Culture

The most important organization representing ethnic Greeks is the Greek Cultural Association of Tashkent. The activities of this organization include Greek language instruction (19 classes with a total of 571 students, classes for adults) and the teaching of Greek dances and music. [7]

Notable people

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poles in Uzbekistan</span> Polish diaspora in Uzbekistan

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References

  1. 1 2 "Узбекская ССР (1989)". Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. Greeks in Uzbekistan
  3. "Узбекская ССР (1959)". Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  4. "Узбекская ССР (1970)". Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  5. "Узбекская ССР (1979)". Demoscope Weekly. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  6. "Uzbekistan:MFA Alexander the Great". Archived from the original on 2010-03-13. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  7. "Greece MFA:Greek community in Uzbekistan". Archived from the original on 2020-11-24. Retrieved 2008-04-04.