Antakya at the crossroads of Europe: diaspora, homeland, and networks in post-Ottoman Arab Antiochian family migration narratives

This study examines the post-Ottoman migration patterns of Arab Christians and Arab Alawites from Antakya to Europe, spanning over 80 years, from 1939 to the present. The annexation of Antakya by Türkiye in 1939 marked a significant turning point, triggering waves of migration driven by political upheaval, economic pressures, and ethnic-religious tensions. These factors significantly drove migration from the 1960s onward, with labor programs in Germany and the Netherlands, alongside political crises like the 1980 military coup in Türkiye, further compelling Antiochian communities to relocate to Western Europe. More recently, the devastating 2023 earthquakes have caused renewed displacement, prompting many survivors to seek refuge in Europe. Central to this research is the exploration of how historical, political, social, and cultural entanglements have shaped these migration patterns. A key focus is the role of family and religious networks in the formation of the Antiochian diaspora in Western Europe. The study also highlights the crucial role of solidarity networks linking the diaspora with their homeland, serving as intermediaries and providing support to successive waves of migrants across generations. This is exemplified in the case of earthquake survivors from Antakya in Germany, where these networks help navigate the challenges of displacement in the post-earthquake era. By combining historical and sociological analysis, oral history interviews, and ethnographic fieldwork, this study offers a deeper understanding of the Antiochian diaspora and its role within the broader context of Turkish migration to Europe.