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SIKHS IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE
 

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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