06/17/2025

The Greeks of Turkey: More than just 'monuments and memories'

Kathimerini just ran a piece highlighting the efforts of teachers and community schools in keeping Greek education alive in Turkey. These schools are central to the Greek community in Istanbul, a community that once had a significant presence but has dwindled to roughly 2,000 individuals over the last century as a result of government policies, persecution, and a pogrom in the 1950s. Dr. Ilay Romain Ors, a social anthropologist whose work has largely focused on the Greek Orthodox community of Istanbul, joins Thanos Davelis as we take a closer look at this historic community and the challenges it faces today.

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Keeping the Greek education flame alive in Turkey

Remembering forced migrations: The 1964 expulsion of Greeks from Istanbul

Former Byzantine churches are being converted to mosques – this threatens Istanbul’s cosmopolitan identity

Mitsotakis outlines four key priorities ahead of 2027 elections

Turkey challenges Greek maritime zones with UNESCO map submission