Evgenia Mavrogiannis
Interviewer(s):
Effrosyni Rantou
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
December 22, 2023

Interview Summary:

Eugenia Mavrogiannis was born in 1932 in Kalamata, Laconia. As a child she lived through the Second World War hiding with her family in mountain caves as Italian and German forces moved through the region. As a young woman she supported her family however she could. She married in 1952, and after the birth of her daughter, immigrated to Canada in 1955. In Toronto, she worked in dry cleaning, pressing, and leather piecework while raising her children and staying closely connected to the Greek community.

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Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
December 22, 2023
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Evgenia Mavrogiannis
Interviewer(s)
Effrosyni Rantou
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
GICREF064
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
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Categories
Education
Historical Events
Migration
Rites
Working Life
Tags
Cleaning Work
Domestics
Engagement
Greek Civil War
Greek School
Marriage
Post-WW2 Migration
Restaurant Work
Rural Greek Economy
WW2
Arranged Marriages
Decades Referenced
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
Locations Referenced
Laconia, Kalamata, Sparta, Tripi, Drama, Athens, Piraeus, Montreal, Halifax, Toronto, Danforth, Seaton Village, Panagia's Church
Occupation(s)
Agricultural labourer, Dry cleaners worker, Piece‑work leather/suitcase making
Parents Occupation(s)
Farmers/agricultural workers
Names Referenced
Barbara Mavrogiannis (daughter) Michalis Mavrogiannis (son) Louis Mavrogiannis (son)

[00:00:00] Childhood, family, and her parents’ marriage

[00:07:36] The Second World War

[00:11:00] The Civil War and aftermath

[00:15:50] Greek mountains and field work

[00:20:06] Marriage and her love life

[00:30:22] Letter from her cousin

[00:33:23] Children and coming to Canada

[00:40:01] The journey and living in Toronto

[00:49:04] Work, friendships, and childcare

[00:53:23] Living in Toronto and discussing Greece

[01:00:05] Work and the life she built

[01:08:53] The Greek community and her family

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