Helen Boudouris was born in Vamvakou, near Sparti, and experienced a difficult childhood marked by war, famine, and separation from her parents during the German Occupation. She later migrated to Montreal, eventually settling in Toronto where she trained as a hairdresser and opened her own salon. Her story includes memories of the Resistance, the Greek Civil War, and emotional farewells to her family and village.

Nikolaos Barlas was born in 1937 in Astros, Kynouria, where he spent his early years working as a shepherd. Influenced by family members who had migrated earlier, he decided to emigrate to Canada. After arriving in Halifax, he initially settled in Guelph, moving eventually to Toronto. He built a career as a salesman and manager at Sears before founding his own business, Nick’s Sport Shop. Barlas helped establish and owned Panellinios FC, participated in funding the newspaper Neos Kosmos, engaged in Canadian politics, and supported cultural organizations such as the Canadian Arcadian Association.

Harry Pantoulias was born in 1935 in the village of Agla Vista (now Perivoli) in Greece. He shared memories of growing up during the German and Italian occupation of Greece during the Second World War. In 1948, at age 12, Pantoulias and his family immigrated to Canada, settling in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He described the challenges of adjusting to the harsh Canadian winters and finding work, including shining shoes and working in restaurants and construction. He went on to become a high school teacher and was very active in the Greek community in Oshawa, Ontario, serving in various leadership roles.

Stella Partheniou Grasso was born in Argaki, Cyprus in 1974, mere days before the junta-engineered coup. Following the Turkish invasion, she migrated with her parents to Canada. Stella is an author of children’s novels and is an oral storyteller for Storytellers of Canada.

Pavlos Ioannou was born in Athens and grew up during the turbulent years of the war, witnessing famine, Nazi occupation, and later the Greek Civil War. His father was involved in espionage against the Nazis and was eventually captured, while the family endured the presence of German soldiers living in their home. Pavlos vividly recalls life during the Dekemvriana, the black market, and post-war violence, including torture chambers in Athens. He migrated to Canada, settling in Montreal. He also describes the Greek community of the city.

Andreas Frantzeskos was born in Bogazi, Cyprus in 1938. Cleo Frantzeskos was born in Famagusta, Cyprus in 1942. They married in 1971 and lived in Famagusta until the Turkish invasion of 1974 forced them to flee. Cleo courageously gave birth to their second child amidst the invasion. In 1976, they migrated to Melville, Saskatchewan before settling in Kingston, Ontario in 1994.