The Politics of Community Building and Identity Formation: The Greek Diaspora of Egypt Amongst Local, Regional, National and Colonial Settings (1882-1922)

This thesis historicizes and contextualizes the Greek and Greek Cypriot community of Alexandria, the interactions of its members with the British colonial administration, foreign communities, and “homelands” (whether real or imagined), and the local authorities and populace in Egypt. It explores the factors that contributed to community building and the shaping of diasporic identities. The latter valued the traits of Greekness and Cypriotness and appeared at the intersection of local, regional, national and colonial settings. These identities were fluid and evolving and took shape amongst intra-communal and inter-communal encounters and activities, which were intricately woven into the fabric of the Mediterranean. New identities occurred within Egypt's ethnically, religiously and culturally diverse society and became influenced by Greek nationalism and European colonialism and culture.

By adopting a socio-cultural historical approach, the thesis progressively analyses the operation of philanthropic, educational, leisure and political associations and communal foundations such as schools, hospitals and orphanages and dissects gendered aspects therein. In addition, this study critically revisits established interpretations of the dynamic relationship of the Egyptiotes with the British administration between 1882 and 1922. Thus, it not only investigates the history of a foreign minority community, but also the British imperial and colonial history, the Egyptian history, and that of other foreign communities in Egypt. Furthermore, to comprehend aspects of diaspora-homeland relations, this research investigates the motivations, involvement and views of the Egyptiotes on Greek politics. It examines new evidence that adds to the discussion of the historical relations and perceptions of people of Greek and Greek Cypriot origin about Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire and other European powers of the time. These transnational issues are topical since diasporas today display similar characteristics and behaviours and face comparable challenges to those of previous centuries worldwide.