Greeks in Albania
| Total population | |
|---|---|
|
est. over 215,000 (Greeks of southern Albania/Northern Epirus) Greeks of southern Albania/Northern Epirus (including those of ancestral descent) |
|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Albania, Greece, United States, Australia | |
| Albania and Greece | est. over 200,000 |
| United States of America | over 15,000 (est. 1965) |
| Languages | |
|
Greek also Albanian and English depending on the residing place |
|
| Religion | |
| Orthodox Christianity | |
est. over 215,000 (Greeks of southern Albania/Northern Epirus)
The Greeks of Albania are ethnic Greeks who live in or originate from areas within modern Albania. They are mostly concentrated in the south of the country, in the areas of the northern part of the historical region of Epirus, in parts of Vlorë County,Gjirokastër, Korçë and Berat County. The area is also known as Northern Epirus. Consequently, the Greeks hailing specifically from South Albania/Northern Epirus are widely known as Northern Epirotes (Greek: Βορειοηπειρώτες Vorioipirotes, Albanian: Vorioepirot). The Greeks who live in the 'minority zones' of Albania are officially recognized by the Albanian government as the Greek National Minority of Albania (Greek: Ελληνική Μειονότητα στην Αλβανία, Elliniki Mionotita stin Alvania, Albanian: Minoriteti Grek në Shqipëri).
In 1913, after the end of five centuries of Ottoman rule, the area was included under the sovereignty of the newly founded Albanian state. The following year, Greeks revolted and declared their independence, and with the following the area was recognized as an autonomous region under nominal Albanian sovereignty. However, this was never implemented.
In modern times, the Greek population has suffered from the prohibition of the Greek language if spoken outside the recognized so-called 'minority zones' (which have remained after the communist era) and even limitations on the official use of its language within those zones. According to Greek minority leaders, the existence of Greek communities outside the 'minority zones' is even outright denied. Many formerly Greek place-names have been officially changed to Albanian ones. Greeks from the 'minority zones' were also frequently forcibly moved to other parts of the country since they were seen as possible sources of dissent and ethnic tension. During communist rule many Greek members of Albanian political parties were forced to cut off their ties with the Orthodox Church. In more recent times, the numbers of the minority have dwindled.
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Wikipedia