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SIKHS IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE
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GREECE
Sikh soldiers fought in the country during WW II as a
part of British Indian Army-Thessaloniki War
Memorial.The Indian migration to Greece began in the
last quarter ofthe twentieth century. The Sikhs from
Punjab constitute themost dominant group among the
Indian immigrants in Greece.In earlier days Punjabis
signed up on Greek vessels andsubsequently jumped the
ships when in a European port. A large majority of Sikhs
live in the countryside and work in the agricultural
sector and fisheries. Gurdwaras (technically)
are registered as cultural associations but perform all
the functions associated with a gurdwara. Nagar kirtans
are held in sometowns to celebrate Baisakhi.
ICELAND
I could not locate a Sikh and hence Ari Singh, an
Icelandic citizen flew over from UK where he resides
presently to meet with me in Reykjavik. So, he seems to
have been the only Icelandic Singh. He was originally
from Kenya and through marriage he acquired Iceland
citizenship when he was required to change his first
name to an Icelandic name (a Govt requirement for
citizenship) and hence Manjit Singh became Ari Singh. I
believe there is a small presence of 3HO Sikhs.
ITALY
A very important country for Sikh migration having the
largest numbers in Continental Europe. Sikhs are a
dominant part of total Indian immigrants in the country.
During WWII Sikh soldiers took part in the various
battles under the British Indian Army and there are
several memorials. The Forli Memorial has a bronze statue
of a Sikh soldier at the entrance. Since 2007 there is
annual celebration with full Sikh traditions. The early
immigrants came as circus employees as these jobs were
considered of specialist nature. Majority of the
Punjabis work in the agricultural sector especially in
the Lombardy and other regions of Northern Italy. Other
popular profession where the Sikhs are occupying almost
monopoly status is milking and looking after cows
bergamini in running the dairies. Sikhs have almost
monopolized this sector. The famous cheese industry of
Italy is now very dependent on Sikhs. The internet
including YouTube has several videos on the subject. The
gurdwaras are well attended and on Sundays when visiting
a gurdwara, one feels one is not away from Punjab.
Nagar kirtans are a regular feature in many towns.
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