Tracing the History of The Greek Community in Egypt P 2 by Rana Atef

After publishing the first part of our tracing for the History of the Greek Community in Egypt, here is the second part of our overview 

The Bitter End – The Exodus

    Currently, the number of the Greeks in Egypt decreased to record only 5000, in different major cities such as Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia and Portsaid, while the majority of the Egyptian Greeks immigrated to other cosmopolitan destinations such as Australia and Canada, according to Cavallis.

Egyptian author Nagaat Abdel Haqq expressed in her book "The Greek and the Jewish sects in Egypt.. Economy Activity before Nasser" that the main reason of Greeks immigration from Egypt started after Egyptianizing different institutions administrations in 1947, then Nationalism movements and Cairo Fire that attacked different foreigner institutions.

Caption: Cairo Fire, 1952 (Photo Courtesy: Al Bawaba News)

The Greek researcher Heraclitus Soyltzoglu told Assem, that the third generation of the Egyptian Greeks still wants to live in Egypt, and they proud of their hyphenated identities, while the younger generation is looking for staying in Greece but according to the fierce economy crisis in Greece led it to think of staying in Egypt once again.



Longing to the Past

Stilo Fletchky, 74 years old told Makeen that Alexandria was a real symbol of a cosmopolitan city, and the Greeks met the Egyptians together annually in certain cafes, and they enjoyed together with the special taste of cakes, desserts, drinks and music. He added that a few number of Greek cafes which still keep their original Greek names.

He also indicated that the activity of the Greek community was so effective, and the Egyptian Greeks felt no psychological exile in Egypt.



Kalliopi Nyanori, who was born for a Greek father and a French mother told Makeen that she lived her best days in Cairo, as the Egyptian and Greeks shared together studying, and different activities.

 

Caption: Kalliopi Nyanori with her family in Cairo (Photo Courtesy: Raseef 22)

Caption: Egyptian Greek students, including Kalliopi Nyanori in Greek School in Cairo (Photo Courtesy Raseef 22)



Mourad Heshmat , the executive director for Cairo orchestra Symphony choirs and who was born for Greek mother expressed to Makeen, the Egyptian society in the past was unique and it accepted the others such as the Greeks, the Armenians, the Italians and the French, but currently the society doesn’t accept the presence of the other which forces a big number of Egyptian Europeans to leave Egypt.

Caption: Mourad Heshmat (Photo Courtesy: Raseef 22)

Day-Present

Journalist Dina Hassan published an article in 2013 about the existed Greek cafes in Alexandria, such as Athineos restaurant and café which is considered as a museum, Ahmed Nassar, the current owner of the café told Hassan, that legendary author Naguib Mahfouz, and former president Gamal Abdel Nasser were some of the famous clients of the cafe.

Moustafa Tohamy who is the oldest waiter of Delices restaurant and café expressed to Hassan, that the place had a great list of customers which includes writers and authors like the Greek prominent poet Constantine P. Cavafy, Tawfiq Al Hakim, and actors such as Shadia, Hamdy Ghaith, Ahmed Mazhar and Nadia Al Gendy.

Caption: Delices Resturant (Photo Courtesy: Youm 7)

He added that the royal family of King Ahmed Foaad and Princess Fawzeya preferred having the breakfast at this restaurant.

While Ellite café was one of the most celebrated Greek cafes in Alexandria which had a great history with celebrities such as Um Kalthoum, Queen Farida, Queen Nariman and Jihan Al Sadat.

 Unfortunately, the Café is closed few months ago which saddened the rest of Egypt Greek groups, and Alexadnrian residents who used to visit the place.

Caption: Elite Café (Photo Courtesy: 3ain Website)



In addition, a number of Greek cultural events are still held in Cairo and Alexandria as a tribute to the most effective European community in Egypt for example the Bibliotheca Alexandrina hosted an event under the theme of "Greek in the Egyptian cinema" in 2003, also in 2015, a documentary film has been released to document for the Egyptian Greek history in Egypt.

Finally, the "Nostos - The Return" which closed its events and activities few weeks, a number of documentary films, Greek Music, and Cultural activities were held to honor the gifted Greek presence in Egypt.

Renewed Egyptian author Ibrahim Abdel Majid condemned the destruction, and negative changes that damaged the beautiful cosmopolitan taste of Alexandria after 1952 Revolution and the exodus of the European communities from Alexandria, through his phone interview with Amr Abdel Hamid, during interviewing Cavallis.

Thankfully, a number of Greek institutions are still existed in Egypt, and they still introducing cultural, social, artistic, educational, medical and charity services to the Egyptians.

Caption: The Greek Hospital in Cairo (Photo Courtesy: Youtube)

Caption: Hellenic Foundation for Culture (Alexandria) seminar in Cairo International Book Fair, 2018 (Photo Courtesy: Hellenic Foundation for Culture official Facebook page)



In the End

This article was just an overview for the story of the Egyptian Greeks, or the Greek community in Egypt which enriched the cultural diversity in Egypt, also the Greek community in Egypt presented to Egypt wonderful figures such as Nelly Mazloum, Antonis Benakis, Constantine P. Cavavy, Mary Giatra Lemou, Demetrio Stratos, Ismail Ragheb Pasha and George Averoff, alongside others. Also, a number of Egyptian actors, actresses, artists came from Egyptian Greek blood such as Laila Elwi, Katy, and others.

Caption: Constantine P. Cavavy Museum in Alexandria (Photo Courtesy: Youm 7)

Caption: Constantine P. Cavavy Museum in Alexandria (Photo Courtesy: Youm 7)

Caption: Greek Community Graves in Alexandria (Photo Courtesy: Veto Gate)

Besides, Popular Greek singer Yiannis Kotsiras expressed in his interview with Egyptian magazine Egypt Today last year, that his mother was born in Alexandria, and the first Arabic word he learnt was "Ya Salam" that's why he repeats it through his posts, and talks.

Moreover, His song Alexandria was aired for the first time on the National state-Owned Egyptian Channel "Al Oula" (The First) on April 30, in celebration with the "Nostos" kicking off, also "Alexandria" song was used as an official theme song for many activities of the "Nostos", and the song was covered by an Egyptian/Greek singer during the opening ceremony of the "Nostos" that attended by Egypt, Greece, and Cyprus presidents.

Caption: Yiannis Kotsiras in Alexandria, 2006

Kotsiras added that Alexandria for him is the peace, and the magic. Moreover, he filmed one of his songs in Alexandria. He praised the Egyptian community in Greece, and how they are polite and cooperative.

The rising Egyptian generations actually hope to witness another period of cultural diversity in the presence of the Greek culture.

Actually, hopefully the "Nostos – The Return" program to be a constructive step in Egyptian Greeks return to their homeland EGYPT!

Sources, and References

Articles

اليونانيون المصريون هوية خاصة و دور اقتصادى بارز , جريدة البيان , 2002

https://www.albayan.ae/five-senses/arts/2002-09-12-1.1348655

اليونانيون فى السينما المصرية , موقع الأهرام , 2003

http://www.ahram.org.eg/Archive/2003/6/25/ARTS12.HTM

الجالية اليونانية ..رائحة خاصة فى تاريخ مصر , داليا عاصم , موقع الشرق الأوسط, 2010

http://archive.aawsat.com/details.asp?issueno=11700&article=596355#.WtOpA9RubIU

متحف جاير اندرسون..بيت الكريتلية المسحور و المستشرق المهووس, موقع كايرو 360, 2011

https://www.cairo360.com/ar/article/%D9%81%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%A9/%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A3%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AA%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AD/

مقاهى الأسكندرية ثقافة اليونان و مصر فى عناق عذب رقيق , دينا حسن, جريدة البيان, 2013

https://www.albayan.ae/paths/art/2013-01-06-1.1797726

بالصور مدافن الجالية اليونانية تاريخ يحتضنه الأسكندرية , نيرمين ابراهيم , بوابة فيتو , 2014

http://www.vetogate.com/739845

عن الجالية اليونانية فى أم الدنيا, عزة سلطان , موقع جريدة الحياة,2015

http://www.alhayat.com/Articles/7999230/%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A3%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A7



لقاء رئيس الجالية اليونانية بالأسكندرية مع حسين فهمى , بوابة الفجر ,2016

http://www.elfagr.com/2154304

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M700RJRABBc

مطعم ديليس , أسماء على بدر, اليوم السابع, 2016

https://www.youm7.com/story/2016/6/2/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D9%84%D9%87-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%85%D9%87-%D9%86%D8%B5%D9%8A%D8%A8-%D8%A3%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%85-%D8%AD%D9%84%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%89-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%B5%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B9/2745783

ماذا قال هيرودوت عن مصر , طلعت رضوان ,  موقع الحضارات (الأهرام للفنون و الأدب و التراث), 2016

http://hadarat.ahram.org.eg/Articles/%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB/%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%A7-%D9%82%D8%A7%D9%84-%D9%87%D9%8A%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%AF%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1%D8%9F-291116

الجالية السلوفينية فى مصر.. صفحة منسية من التاريخ الجميل, دينا عزت, الشروق, 2016

https://www.shorouknews.com/news/view.aspx?cdate=08122016&id=f71b4fc8-a6d0-41ee-b04f-2f246368b692



لقاء رئيس الجالية اليونانية بالقاهرة مع عمرو عبد الحميد, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yks2DESLHQI

اليونانيون حكاية أكبر جالية أجنبية أحبت مصر و شعبها , أحمد تيمور , أرشيف مصر , 2017

http://www.archivegypt.com/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%AD%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D9%83%D8%A8%D8%B1-%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A3%D8%AD/

اتينيوس تعرف على اسرار مقهى المتحف التوثيقى , جورجيت شرقاوى, الاهرام الكندى  , 2017

http://www.ahram-canada.com/120752/

In Depth: 3 generations of Greek Alexandrians Tell the story of The Forgotten Community , Moustafa Daly , Cairo Scene , 2017

http://www.cairoscene.com/In-Depth/3-Generations-of-Greek-Alexandrians-Tell-The-Story-of-Their-Forgotten-Community

Kotsiras, Greek Singer re-crafts Alexandrian Beauty, Rana Atef, Egypt Today, 2017

https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/4/33204/Kotsiras-Greek-singer-re-crafts-Alexandrian-beauty



الجالية اليونانية فى مصر ..حينما كانت الأسكندرية كوزموبوليتينة و ساحرة ,  هشام مكين, رصيف 22, 2018

https://raseef22.com/life/2018/01/08/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%85%D8%B5%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5/

وزيرة الهجرة من الأكروبوليس باثينا: انطلاق أسبوع الجاليات 30 ابريل, محمد خير الله, بوابة الأهرام, 2018

http://gate.ahram.org.eg/News/1894112.aspx

بالصور و الفيديو متحف كفافيس جوهرة تراثية فى محطة الرمل بالأسكندرية,محمد تهامى زكى, اليوم السابع, 2018

https://www.youm7.com/story/2018/2/27/%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D9%88%D8%B5%D9%88%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%AA%D8%AD%D9%81-%D9%83%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%87%D8%B1%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AB%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%81%D9%89-%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%B7%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B1%D9%85%D9%84-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9/3669639

Trilateral Meeting between Greece, Egypt and Cyprus in preparation for the "Nostos – The Return" program, Official Announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, 2018

https://www.mfa.gr/en/current-affairs/news-announcements/trilateral-meeting-between-greece-egypt-and-cyprus-in-preparation-for-nostos-programme-athens-12-april-2018.html

Greeks in Egypt, Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greeks_in_Egypt



Books:

أحياء القاهرة المحروسة, عباس الطرابيلى, 2003

فنون الأسكندرية القديمة, عزت زكى حامد, 2006

مسرحية هيلين, يوربيديس, ترجمة منيرة كروان, 2015

صنايعية مصر, عمر طاهر, 2017

الطوائف اليونانية و اليهودية فى مصر..النشاط الاقتصادى قبل ناصر, نجاة عبد الحق