In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, six thousand strong (down from the peak of nearly 40,000 in the 1960s) remain. The remnants of the Greek political refugee population that settled in the heart of Uzbekistan after World War 2 in 1949

 

"We arrived in 1949. Men: 8,571, Women: 33,401, Children: 25,'' says a sign at the entrance of the building that houses the Greek community's cultural center.  The community prospered and by 1960 there were 12 Greek neighborhoods in Tashkent as well as two in the city of Chirchiq.  Greek was taught in all of Tashkents schools (not only in Greek areas) and there was a constant connection to Greece, via representatives sent to the community or via media outlets.

 

As the repatriation process picked up steam in the 1990s, many Greeks in the area feel that Greece has forgotten about them. They have no means of knowing the news from Greece, other than an occasional newspaper sent by the Communist part of Greece. (Ant1 and ERT seem like a dream for them.) The Greek consulate that was built for them  never opened for operation.

 

The community however still strives to maintain its heritage and language. Despite its small numbers there is an operational Greek school that hosts nearly 100 students. (Due to the work of locals, with no help from the governement of Greece.) 

 

Click below for more on this interesting Greek community of the diaspora.