On March 6, the Association of Greek American Professional Women (AGAPW) and ALLILONnet will host an online presentation by Professor Maria Kaliambou, lecturer in the Hellenic Studies Program at Yale University. The lecture, titled “The Greek Revolution and the Greek Diaspora in the United States,” will examine Professor Kaliambou’s latest volume, which highlights historical consciousness within Greek diaspora communities, particularly in North America .
Invisible faces of the Greek revolution
Professor Kaliambou’s book offers a new perspective on the Greek Revolution of 1821 by integrating the stories of forgotten Greeks in the United States and Canada. Chapters cross a range of disciplines, offering historical and contemporary reflections. The conference will be an opportunity to explore these stories and their importance for understanding the role of the Greek diaspora in the Revolution.
AGAPW’s Commitment to Greek Education
AGAPW is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Excellence in Humanities and STEM Scholarships for female students of Greek descent enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s degree program in the tri-state area. This initiative reflects AGAPW’s commitment to promoting Greek culture and education, providing young Greek women with opportunities to excel in their chosen fields.
The Greek diaspora: a story of resilience
The resilience of the Greek diaspora is evident in the story of Konstantinos Politis, president of the Greek community of Uzbekistan. Politis, an architect and designer, moved to Tashkent in 2004 to work on museum projects for an American foundation. He became involved in the Greek community, founded in 1949 by communist fighters who had lost the Greek civil war and were sent to Tashkent by Stalin.
At its peak during the Soviet era, the community had 40,000 members. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, many Greeks returned to Greece, leaving only 1,500 members today. Despite these challenges, Politis works tirelessly to revive the community and its cultural center, which he saved from state confiscation.
The community, which has no church since all the refugees were communists, meets every Sunday at the cultural center, their “people’s church”. Maintained using local resources, the community faces challenges such as lack of communication with the Greek government and difficulty obtaining certificates and passports due to the absence of a Greek consulate in Uzbekistan.
The history of the Greek diaspora is one of struggle, resilience and the enduring connection between culture and heritage. Professor Kaliambou’s talk will further illuminate this narrative, providing insight into the impact of the Greek Revolution on the diaspora and the role of the diaspora in shaping the course of Greek history.
The Greek Revolution, a defining moment in history, continues to resonate today, not only in Greece but throughout the world. The stories of forgotten Greeks in the United States and Canada, as highlighted in Professor Kaliambou’s book, add a new dimension to our understanding of the Revolution and its far-reaching implications.
Meanwhile, the Greek community of Uzbekistan, under the leadership of Konstantinos Politis, is a testament to the resilience of the Greek diaspora. Despite the challenges, the community continues to preserve its cultural heritage, emphasizing the enduring power of a shared history and identity.
