Charalambos Paleshi was born in Famagusta, Cyprus in 1953. In 1973, he came to Canada for physiotherapy following a car accident. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, he decided to stay in Canada long-term. During this interview, Charalambos provides insight into the various activities of the Greek and Greek Cypriot communities in Waterloo Region. He also discusses the realities of navigating a friendship with a Turkish Cypriot and the work of his grandfather, Cypriot folk poet Christophoros Theoharis Palesis.
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[00:00:23] Life in Famagusta (1953 – 1973)
[00:03:18] Familial migration patterns
[00:06:34] Underwater Demolition Team (1970 – 1972)
[00:07:34] Limited interactions with Turkish Cypriots
[00:08:23] Memories of the Famagusta Orange Festival
[00:09:30] His relation to Christophoros Theoharis Palesis
[00:12:19] Avoiding politics during the junta period
[00:15:11] 1974 and working life in Kitchener
[00:20:55] Turkish Cypriot friend in Canada
[00:21:55] Involvement with various facets of church life
[00:25:26] Greek Cypriot Community of Waterloo Region
[00:26:40] Interactions with the wider Greek community
[00:27:47] His brother’s involvement in a Greek radio show
[00:30:30] Discrimination he experienced from Greeks
[00:32:11] Discussing Cypriot identity
[00:34:51] The British assaulting his father
[00:36:18] Going back to Cyprus (1993 – 1999)
[00:38:35] How his children have maintained their heritage
[00:40:15] Differences between Cypriot and Greek language
[00:42:09] The future of Cyprus and the diaspora
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