Greeks in Kazakhstan

The Greeks of Kazakhstan are mainly the descendants of Pontic Greek refugees who migrated there after the fall of the Empire of Trebizond in the 15th century. Later waves of emigration followed the Pontic Greek Genocide and the stalinist purges of the Black Sea Greek communities. [ [http://www.pontos.org/index.htm?/englsh/istoria/fotiad1.htm Short Synopsis of the Pontian-Greek History] ] [Agtzidis, The Persecution of Pontic Greeks in the Soviet Union "Journal of Refugee Studies", 1991, 4, pp. 372-381.]

Nowadays there are between 10 and 12 thousand ethnic Greeks living in Kazakhstan in 17 communities, which together with the Kyrgyzstan community make up the FILIA ("friendship" in Greek) Federation of Greek Communities of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The Federation prints a small newspaper, organizes dance events, and offers Greek language and dance classes. At the moment in Kazakhstan there are 6 ethnic Greek teachers funded by the General Secretariat of Greeks Abroad. Furthermore, Greek is taught by two teachers seconded from Greece. [ [http://www.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/en-US/Policy/Geographic+Regions/Russia+-+Eastern+Europe+-+Central+Asia/Bilateral+Relations/Kazakhstan/ Greece MFA: Greek community in Kazakhstan] ]

ee also

* Greek diaspora
* Greek-Kazakh relations
* Demographics of Kazakhstan

References