The role of associations in the social and cultural integration of refugees in Nea Kokkinia (Nikea)

Abstract

Abstract: Nea Kokkinia, today’s Nikaia, is a city that is about five kilometers from the port of Piraeus. It was founded in 1923 by refugees from Asia Minor and constitutes the largest organized urban refugee settlement in Piraeus, which was created through the collaboration of rehabilitation agencies, the Greek State, foreign charities, but also the active participation of the refugees themselves through the associations they created. The refugee associations were established simultaneously with the settlement of the refugees in the area. The study of the integration of refugees and the efforts they made for their rehabilitation and social integration constitute an invisible aspect of the refugee issue. However, a “bottom-up” approach transforms refugees into active subjects of history and co‑shapers of their place and life, since within the cities these individuals live, work, have fun, play sports, and socialize, they form their identities, and claim their rights and even organize themselves. This article presents these unseen aspects of the complex process of urban regeneration and associations.