Diaspora Greeks

The Diaspora Greeks; there are so many Greeks all around the world. Living scattered like seeds diaspora all around this earth. In the United States around 3 million people have Greek heritage, in Canada at least 450,000, in Australia 350,000 and in the United Kingdom 200,000.

Wherever Greeks go, Greeks seem to embody the saying "thrive where you are planted". Those of Greek heritage have distinguished themselves as community leaders, journalists, sportspeople, scientists, writers, artists, entertainers and in business and always as ambassadors of the Greek way of life.

Centres of Greek life in the ελληνική διασπορά include Chicago, London, New York, Melbourne and Toronto.

This site is for all diaspora Greeks, especially Cretans, to celebrate our heritage and the beautiful island of Crete.

Greeks in Chicago, USA

A visit to Halsted St in Chicago is to visit Greek Town so named back in the '20s when Greek immigrants came, fleeing the disaster of the hellenic holocaust. Chicago once had the highest population of Greek Americans.

Today you can find authentic Greek pastries at the Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop and Artopolis on Halsted Street, and experience taverna atmosphere and Greek cooking at Pegasus, Roditys, Parthenon and Santorini restaurants, also on Halsted Street.

Greeks in Chicago have come a long way since those first days. Today there are many organisation representing Hellenic culture and interests. One of these is the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois.

At a function at the Victoria Rosemont, young professional Greeks attended (above). Today there are over 450,000 people of Greek ancestry living in Illinois.

Diaspora Greeks in New York, USA

Greeks in New York are represented by Omonoia, the Cretan Association of New York, which was formed in 1918, after the suggestion and leadership of Mr. Stamati Kalamaridi since 1901. At that stage in history, Crete was not yet a part of Greece, and back home Venizelos was creating freedom for Cretans against the great powers after the conclusion of the Greco-Turkish war. These were very early days in the modern history of Greece.

To this day Cretans play a part in the life of New York, no less than young chef featured below. The Cretan Association has sponsored and created events for the community for many years. Recent highlights have been the raising of funds for fire releif, with a concert by beloved Cretan musician Mihalis Tzouganakis.

Titan Foods, a Greek deli supermarket at 25-56 31st Street in Astoria, Queens, New York.

Titan Foods has a fine selection of Greek foods, 90% imported direct from Greece. This is the real deal in the heart of the Diaspora Greeks neighbourhood of New York.

Diaspora Greeks in Melbourne, Australia

Until recently, Melbourne in Australia was home to one of the largest populations of diaspora Greeks outside Europe. Melbourne had the third largest Greek-speaking population in the world after Athens and Thessaloniki. Thessaloniki and Melbourne are sister cities.

Did you know that 47 per cent of Greek Australians live in Melbourne? About 165,000.

Melbourne is a famously cosmopolitan city. Those that found themselves uprooted and relocated to this grey concrete city (with lovely parks) made up for it by establishing a Greek precinct which still to this day adds a splash of the Mediterranean to parts of Lonsdale and Russell streets in central Melbourne. The block is filled with Greek culinary delights. Here you can find sweets like baklava, savoury mezedes for lunch or a late-night souvlaki.

The famous Antipodes Festival takes place in April and May each year in Lonsdale Street, including a street party to celebrate all things Greek.

Where can you good, fresh, authentic Greek food in Melbourne?

The Kri Kri Mezedopoleion, or house of mezedes, serves wonderful food in traditional style; on little plates so everyone at the table can share. This very elegant restaurant is on Little Bourke Street, right in the centre of Melbourne.See our Kri Kri restaurant review here.

Associations Around the World

Greeks in Melbourne and all around the world have formed an enormous number of associations representing every different island, region and walk of life, some of which are listed below.

	Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand
	PanCretan Association of Melbourne Australia
	Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois
	Greek Community of Toronto

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