PARTICIPATION OF THE GREEK IMMIGRANTS IN THE FORMING AND ACTIVITY OF ODESA’S URBAN COMMUNITIES (LATE 18th - FIRST THIRD OF 19th CENTURY)

Abstract

The article elucidates the participation of Greek ethnic group’s representa tives of the Odesa population in the forming and activity of urban communi ties in the late 18th - first third of 19th century. It has been shown that the Greeks took an active part in the city’s transformations, were members not only of their own national societies, but also of magistrates, city commissions, charitable associations, and so on.
Greek merchants concentrated in places of business: the Greek Bazaar as a cen ter of trade, exchange, communication also became a harbour for revolutionary aspirations - the microcosm of the bazaar created the conditions for the emer gence of a secret revolutionary organization «Filiki Etairia». Patriotic activity was a link between Greek ethnic group’s members of different social status. In addition, this function was played by cultural and educational initiatives and centers. The Greek School of Commerce is a shining example of a community that brought together its founders, teachers and students not only as a common place to spend time, but also with progressive ideas of the Enlightenment.
It is concluded that, preserving their identity, the Greeks of Odesa tried to hold certain roles in the city community: they were elected as burgomasters, coun cilors, mayors, were members of special city committees. Remaining attracted to their ethno-religious group, they participated in the general affairs of the city and founded various societies - from secret revolutionary to charitable. Thus, the Greeks integrated into the social community of the city through organizational forms of voluntary association of people. The commercial and charitable activities of the Greeks of Odesa were accompanied by their partic ipation in the creation and functioning of various communities, which illus trates the contribution to the formation of urban culture as a whole.