Chinatown

What I can see

To the west of the city, in a neighbourhood between 26 Oktovriou, Anagenniseos and Monastiriou Streets, we find the Chinese community of the city. Today the neighbourhood primarily consists of about 150 stores, most of which sell clothing. Once a year, the neighbourhood is adorned with Chinese red lights it creates an evocative atmosphere unlike those of the surrounding neighbourhoods. Most members of the community are either Buddhists or Evangelical Christians, the latter of which have a church located on the 4th floor of a building that has a Social Solidarity Clinic on the first floor.

What I can't see

The first Chinese people of the city began to settle here in the late 1990s. The Chinese community had been, for many years, very closed and only in recent years has it become more extroverted. In 2012, there were about 3,000 Chinese residents, but since the crisis the numbers have dwindled to around 2,000 today. Before this small Chinatown came into being, there were brothels, old cinemas, clinics and the intercity bus station (KTEL) in the area. Often, Chinese shopkeepers have their businesses and homes in the same building. While some of the children of Chinatown’s residents stay in China with relatives until they are better able to speak Chinese and then come to Greece, other children live with their parents, and attend both Greek schools and the Chinese school founded by the community.

Info

• Address: Sapfous St.

Bibliography