Patrides
- Western Bureau
AROUND
& ABOUT BRITISH COLUMBIA
By
Dimitrios & Katerina Angelatos
Greek
Food Festival
The Hellenic Community of Vancouver held its annual food festival
on October 18, 19 and 20. This is one of its major annual fund-raisers.
Attendance seemed to be down slightly this year but nonetheless it was
considered a success.
Those
in attendance could watch the dance performances put on by the various
Greek schools and other organizations. Father Demetrios was kept busy
giving church tours when no church services were in progress.
The “kafenion” in the upper hall was quite busy with those
wishing to sample the loukoumathes, dolmathes, salads or desserts. Greek
coffee was also popular there. In the upper concourse of the main hall the
sales of souvlaki and beer were going quite strong while in the
“restaurant” downstairs in the main hall one had a choice of several
full course dinners. In the
“bakery”, also in the main hall, a large variety of items could be
purchased to take home to enjoy.
Metropolitan
visits Vancouver for “OXI” Day celebrations
While
Canadians celebrate “Remembrance Day” on November 11, the
Greek-Canadians celebrate several days of “remembrance” in October.
October 28, 1940 is remembered as the day the Greeks said “OXI” (NO)
to fascist Italy. October 26, 1912 (the name day of St. Dimitrios) also
marks an important WW1 victory of the Greeks at Thessaloniki.
Special memorials are held at the Greek Orthodox churches around
the globe to mark these important historical events. His Eminence
Metropolitan Sotirios came to Vancouver from Toronto for the occasion. On
Sunday, October 27, he served Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas and St.
Dimitrios Church in east Vancouver.
After
the church service, coffee and desserts were served in the church basement
hall. The children of the Community performed a short program of poems,
skits and dances. Metropolitan Sotirios addressed the people and a short
question and answer period followed. Someone asked why this celebration
was not more open to participation by other Greek organizations.
Metropolitan Sotirios agreed that all the Greek communities and
organizations should reorganize the event in such a way as to encourage
participation.
“OXI”
Day celebrated in Langley
The Greek Cultural Community of Langley and Fraser Valley
organized several events to celebrate “OXI” Day, October 28, 1940. On
Saturday, Nov. 2, the event was celebrated at Kostas Greek
Restaurant in Langley. There was no admittance fee and the regular menu
applied for the evening. Patrons were also treated to a performance by a
belly dancer. Live Greek music was played during the course of the evening
and the dancing continued into the “wee” hours of the morning.
On
Sunday, Nov. 3, a special memorial was held after the liturgy at St.
Nicholas Orthodox Church in Langley. This was followed in the church hall
by a short program, which included messages from the Consulate of Greece
and others. Everyone then enjoyed a free lunch.
The
Greek Cultural Community was formed about ten years ago for the purpose of
promoting the Greek language and culture as well as the Orthodox faith.
For the past eight years the society has sponsored many ethnic
celebrations in Langley. These celebrations have always been free to the
participants, thanks to the generosity of the members. These occasions
have not been used as fund-raisers for the society, as has been done by
other organizations, but rather as an opportunity for people to get
together in fellowship.
Greek-Canadians
get involved in local politics
-photos-
The
Greeks in Canada for many years seem to have been more concerned with the
politics in the land they left behind, rather than in the one they now
call home. Therefore it is heartening to see a change slowly evolving.
Greek-Canadians are now getting more involved in running for local office.
A number of Greek names appeared on the list of election results from the
civic elections held across British Columbia on November 16.
Even
if those running for office did not succeed, they should be congratulated
on their efforts. Constantine Bonnis made a good showing in his bid for a
seat on Vancouver City council. Jenny Siormanolakis also made a good try
for Burnaby School Trustee. These are two young Greek-Canadians who made
their parents and the Greek community at large very proud of them. Helen
Boyce, who had retired from local politics a number of years ago, was also
not successful in her bid to re-enter politics. She had tried for a spot
on the Vancouver Parks Board. In Delta Jeannie Kanakos tried for a seat on
council and came close to winning. In Esquimalt, on Vancouver Island,
Maurene Karagiannis was more successful, winning a seat on Council.
“Pharos” lecture –
Philip’s tomb
PHAROS,
the Canadian Hellenic Cultural Society had begun its new lecture season
early, in September, but in accordance with the normal practice of holding
two lectures in the fall and four in the spring, the second lecture was
not held until November.
Professor
Hector Williams’ lecture “Facing Philip? The Tombs of Vergina” took
place on Monday evening, November 25, in the upper hall of the Hellenic
Community Centre in Vancouver. Hector Williams is a professor at the
University of British Columbia and directs UBC’S archaeological
excavations in Greece. He is also the vice-president of Pharos.
Ever
since the 1977 discoveries of the tombs at Vergina in Macedonia there has
been much debate about the occupants of the tombs and in particular of
Tomb II, the richest of the burial sites. Many believe it to be the tomb
of Philip, the father of Alexander the Great but nothing conclusive has
been found to verify this. Hector Williams’ talk focused on the forensic
identification of the occupants and of the rich variety of objects buried
with the middle-aged man and a younger woman. He also talked on the
vaulted tomb itself with its remarkable painting of a lion hunt.
The
hall was packed for this interesting lecture. Anyone interested in
learning more about Greek culture and history will find it worthwhile to
attend the lectures sponsored by Pharos. Membership fees for the lecture
season are only $15 dollars per individual or $25 a couple. This is mainly
to cover the mailing expenses of the society.
The
next lecture will be the last Monday of January, at 8:00 p.m., in the
upper hall of the Hellenic Community Center at 4500 Arbutus Street,
Vancouver, BC.
Ambassador
of Greece to Canada launches book
His
Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Canada Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos
was in Vancouver to launch his first book “Caucasus Chronicles: Nation
Building and Diplomacy in Armenia, 1993-1994” on Friday, November 22.
The well-known Canadian politician Ted McWhinney at a presentation held at
the Liu Center at UBC introduced the book. The Ambassador gave a talk on
his book, followed by a question and answer period. Among those in
attendance were representatives of the Consulate of Greece in Vancouver,
members of the Hellenic Canadian Congress as well as members of the
Armenian community. A wine and cheese reception followed, sponsored by the
Consulate of Greece.
Ambassador
Chrysanthopoulos in his book recounts his time in Armenia where he was
assigned as the first ambassador of Greece to the newly independent
Armenia. As well as portraying the cultural and political aspects of
Armenian civilization he also portrays the history and living conditions
of the Greek minority there.
When
Mr. Chrsysanthopoulos became the Greek ambassador to Armenia he also
represented the Presidency of the European Union there. He is a career
diplomat who served in Toronto, in Beijing and at the European Union in
Brussels and the United Nations in New York. He was consul general of
Greece in Istanbul (Constantinople), Turkey just like his father and
grandfather before him. He also served as ambassador to Poland.
While
Ambassador Chrysanthopoulos was in Vancouver he also took part in the
opening of the European Film Festival as well as the 75th
Anniversary celebrations of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver.
European
Film Festival
On Thursday, November 21, the 5th European Film
Festival was officially opened for the first time in Vancouver.
The consulates and cultural institutions of the European Union
member states, the Institute for European Studies at UBC and the Pacific
Cinematheque hosted a screening of the Danish film “Minor Mishaps”.
This took place at the Chan Centre for the Arts at UBC. Admittance was by
invitation only. A reception followed the screening.
The
master of ceremonies for the evening was the Vice-Consul of Denmark Vibeke
Sawyer. She introduced the director of the Pacific Cinematheque, Jim
Sinclair. As well, all the other sponsors of the film festival were
recognized for their contribution for bringing this festival to Vancouver.
These were the Vancouver Sun, Nokia, TD Canada Trust, Vancouver Port
Authority, Labatts, IKEA, Daniel Le Chocolat Belge, the Scandinavian
Building Maintenance, EEC Industries, European Commission and of course
the Chan Foundation for the use of the building for the evening. Among
those in attendance were representatives of the Consulate of Greece in
Vancouver as well as the Ambassador of Greece to Canada, Leonidas
Chrysanthopoulos.
The
film festival is open to the public with all the films being screened at
the Pacific Cinematheque on Howe Street in downtown Vancouver. The
festival runs from November 22 to December 5. The following countries were
showing their entries for the festival: Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain,
France, Ireland, Italy, Luxenbourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal,
Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom, and Belgium. The Greek film was scheduled
for November 23 but because of the 75th anniversary
celebrations at the Hellenic Community of Vancouver on that day the film
was scheduled for another screening on December 5, the last day of the
festival.
Mayor
of Athens visits Vancouver
The
mayor of Athens Dimitris L. Avramopoulos arrived in Vancouver on Friday,
November 22. Accompanying him were ten other people: Mrs. Evangelia
Valentza (Vice Mayor of Athens), Mr. Stylianos Lambrou (head of the
political party in the city council “Fighting Left, Ecological Coalition
for Athens”), Ms. Anna Rokofillou (city counselor representing the
political party “Capital Power”), Ms. Anna Filini (city counselor),
Mr. George Arsenis (city counselor), Mr. Airsides Calogeropoulos-Stratis
(Special Advisor to the Mayor of Athens), Mr. Konstantinos Maniatis
(Director of the Press Office of the Municipality of Athens), Mr.
Theodoros Tzaras (Special Assistant to the Mayor of Athens), Mr.
Panagiotis Stolis (Press Office) and Mr. Spyros Avlonits (businessman).
Mr.
Avramopoulos was born in Athens in 1953. He studied Political Science and
Public Law at the University of Athens. He also received postgraduate
degrees on European Studies and International Organizations at the
Universities of Brussels and Boston. He served two years in the Air Force
before joining the Diplomatic Service in 1980. In 1993 he was elected
Member of Parliament. He resigned from that in 1994 to be elected Mayor of
Athens. He was re-elected mayor in 1998 and his term of office will expire
at the end of December.
The
Mayor and his delegation were met at the airport by the Consul of Greece
Eleni Lianidou and her husband, Costas Yiannourakos, Rev. Fr. Demetrios
Partsafas and Mr. S. Bozikis, the Hellenic Community of Vancouver
president, as well as some of the members of the board of directors, and a
few other Greeks and, of course, the media, including “Patrides”.
On
Saturday, during the day, the visitors were treated to a tour of Vancouver
City. Then, in the evening, they all attended the 75th
anniversary celebrations of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver at the
community center. Also taking part in those celebrations were His
Excellency the Ambassador of Greece to Canada, Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos,
His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto, the Premier of
British Columbia, the Honourable Gordon Campbell, His Worship Mayor Philip
Owen (city of Vancouver), MLA Stephen Owen and Mr. Tony Parsons, Vice
president News, Global TV.
On
Sunday morning, Mayor Avramopoulos met with “Patrides” representatives
Dimitrios and Katerina Angelatos for a short interview and to present Mr.
Angelatos with a commemorative plate from the City of Athens. Mr.
Avramopoulos and his delegation then went to attend church at St. George
Cathedral where Metropolitan Sotirios was serving the Liturgy.
After
the church service, a luncheon was held in the community centre, giving a
chance to people who had not been able to attend the previous night’s
festivities to also take part in the anniversary celebrations.
Metropolitan Sotirios, the Ambassador of Greece Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos
and the Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos each addressed the people on
this important occasion. The Hellenic Community of Vancouver is the oldest
and largest Greek community in British Columbia.
Mr.
Avramopoulos and his delegation were also guests of honour at a reception
held on Sunday night at the home of the Consul of Greece, Eleni Lianidou
and her husband Costa Yannourakos. Also attending the reception was his
Excellency the Ambassador of Greece and Metropolitan Sotirios. At the
reception Mayor Avramopoulos also presented a commemorative plate from the
City of Athens, Greece, the host of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games to the
Director of the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Winter Olympic Games Bid
Committee. Mr. Avramopoulos stated that he has told Larry Campbell, the
mayor elect of Vancouver that while holding a referendum on hosting the
Olympic Games by Vancouver may be “politically correct”, it was not
“necessary”.
On
Monday morning, the Mayor of Athens met with Philip Owen, the outgoing
mayor of Vancouver as well as Larry Campbell, who will take over as mayor
of Vancouver at the beginning of December.
The mayor of Athens and his delegation then departed Vancouver
around noon for China.
Although
the stated purpose of the trip to Vancouver was to attend the 75th
anniversary celebrations of the Hellenic Community of Vancouver as mayor
of Athens, the host city of the 2004 Olympic Games, Mayor Avramopoulos
took every opportunity he got to promote the Games in Greece.