Old communities, excluded women and change in Western Thrace (Thracian Greece, the Provinces of Xanthi, Rhodopi and Evros)

Abstract

This article is based on research conducted in Thrace, a Greek region bordering Turkey and Bulgaria. It highlights the complexity of the case of Thrace within the context of the Southern European immigration model. After presenting an overview of the region, the article goes on to analyse the historical context, the importance of international relations and the demographic interests that are present when adopting immigration policies. An integrated approach to policies is considered —those policies for minorities and those for the Pontian Greek immigrants— which represents the paradoxical strategies of Greek treatment of «difference».