Effie Thanasoulia was born in Lapas, Achaia, and grew up between there and Aigio, helping with her family’s dairy business while pursuing education. After marrying her husband in 1957, she immigrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne. During the Greek dictatorship, she returned to Greece before changing plans and emigrating to Canada. She reflects on her relationships with both Greeks and non-Greeks and emphasizes the importance of preserving Greek identity.
[00:00:40] Early years in Lapas (Achaia) and Aigio
[00:02:00] Dairy business, education and knitting
[00:04:20] Meeting her husband; raisin business
[00:07:12] Wedding proposal in Mumbai in '57
[00:10:13] Trip to Australia with Qantas Air
[00:12:33] Life in Melbourne: wedding and family
[00:17:59] Return to Greece & the dictatorship
[00:19:59] Shift in plans: trip to Canada
[00:21:32] Comments on Danforth and the Greeks
[00:22:23] Anti-Greek discrimination in Australia & Canada
[00:23:55] How Greeks in Greece treat Greeks living abroad
[00:25:51] On identities and belonging
[00:27:10] Involvement with Greek community; volunteering
[00:29:00] Relationships with non-Greeks
[00:31:40] Apartments in Greece and frequent visits
[00:33:21] Preserving Greekness through language & dances
[00:36:50] Work, life & the Greek community in Calgary
[00:39:48] Tuned into Greek realities (food, news, politics)
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