Emmanuel Constas
Interviewer(s):
Athanasios (Sakis) Gekas
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
English
DATE:
April 25, 2024

Interview Summary:

Emmanuel Constas served as the the president of the Canadian Order of AHEPA from 2021-2025. He is a second generation Greek-Canadian whose parents were born in Niata and Sparti. Constas discusses his life growing up in Toronto's west-end. Constas was involved with the Hellenic Canadian Community of York Region before becomming dedicated to the various causes and philanthropy of AHEPA.

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Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
April 25, 2024
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Emmanuel Constas
Interviewer(s)
Athanasios (Sakis) Gekas
Languages
English
Reference ID
GICREF081
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
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Categories
Associational Life
Canadian Society
Culture and Tradition
Education
Historical Events
Rites
Working Life
Tags
AHEPA
Cyprus 1974
Greek Community of Toronto Inc.
Greek School
Hellenic Home
Language
Postsecondary Education
Restaurant Work
Sponsorship
Decades Referenced
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
Locations Referenced
Niata, Greece; Sparti, Greece; Ottawa; Halifax; High Park; Toronto; St. Clair; Cyprus;
Occupation(s)
President of AHEPA (2021-2025)
Parents Occupation(s)
Restaurant Work, Seamstress, Cleaner
Names Referenced

[00:00:35] Early life, family background, father’s migration

[00:06:10] Father moves to Toronto & working life

[00:10:38] Mother's working life and migration

[00:13:35] School in West-End Toronto

[00:15:18] Greek businesses in Toronto and cinemas

[00:20:57] Going to Greece for the first time in 1976

[00:23:11] Friendships and cousins in Toronto

[00:24:28] Church and associational life

[00:27:03] University education

00:28:08] Getting back into Greek Community and AHEPA

[00:38:18] Early years of AHEPA[00:44:05] Goals of AHEPA

[00:48:26] Politics of AHEPA

[00:54:30] AHEPA and Cyprus

[00:57:58] Issues that AHEPA has supported

[01:01:14] Change to Archdiocese in Canada

[01:03:15] AHEPA and Greece

[01:08:06] What makes someone a Philhellene?

[01:09:55] Identifying a need to engage elected officials

[01:13:16] What are the strengths of the Greek diaspora?

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