Kostas Papadopoulos
Interviewer(s):
Alexandros Balasis
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
October 30, 2025

Interview Summary:

Kosta Papadopoulos was born in 1934 in Agios Antonios, Kastoria. He describes his father's experience during the Second World War, his captivity by the Germans and his return. He also remembers the tensions between the Komitadjis and his family, as well as the family’s displacement to Kastoria. After the war, he worked in the fur trade in Kastoria before migrating to Canada in 1958. In Toronto, he continued working as a furrier. He served as president of the Society of Kastorians Omonia and tresaurer in the Pan-Macedonian Association.

Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
October 30, 2025
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Kostas Papadopoulos
Interviewer(s)
Alexandros Balasis
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
GICREF130
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
Use and Reproduction: Digital content found on the HHF GCA digital portal is meant for research and private study used in compliance with copyright legislation. Access to digital content, and the technical capacity to download or copy it, does not imply permission to re-use. Prior written permission to publish or otherwise use content must be obtained from the copyright holder. Please contact the HHF GCA at hhfgca@yorku.ca for further information.
Categories
Associational Life
Historical Events
Migration
Working Life
Tags
Furriers
Greek Civil War
Macedonia Naming Dispute
Ocean Liner
Pan Macedonian
Post-WW2 Migration
Pre-WW2 Migration
Sponsorship
Decades Referenced
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
Locations Referenced
Agios Antonios, Kastoria, Athens; Halifax; Toronto;
Occupation(s)
Furrier
Parents Occupation(s)
Names Referenced
Steve Stavrou; Andreas Papandreou;

[00:00:16] His family and his village

[00:02:09] TheWW2, Komitadjis, and his father in captivity

[00:11:17] Father’s return, Civil War, and flee to Kastoria

[00:20:42] Making a living in Kastoria and working with furs

[00:27:30] Sister's migration to Canada and pre-war migration

[00:30:32]Migration process, travel and arrival at Toronto

[00:34:53] Working as a furrier in Toronto

[00:41:07] His wife, sponsoring his family and buying home

[00:50:29]  President in Society of Kastorians Omonoia

[00:54:01] PanMacedonian Association and Macedonian Issue

[01:08:20] Greek Dictatorship in Toronto

‍

This is some text inside of a div block.
His father, Andreas.
Kostas Papadopoulos with his nephew in Greece
Collage with pictures from his village and his family.
No items found.
His father, Andreas.
Kostas Papadopoulos with his nephew in Greece
Collage with pictures from his village and his family.
No items found.
HHF Greek Canadian Archives
Contact Us
Terms of use
Privacy Policy
Land Acknowledgement: York University recognizes that many Indigenous Nations have longstanding relationships with the territories upon which York University campuses are located that precede the establishment of York University. York University acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat. It is now home to many First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities. We acknowledge the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. This territory is subject of the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement to peaceably share and care for the Great Lakes region.
© 2025 Hellenic Heritage Foundation Greek Canadian Archives at York University. All rights reserved
Designed By Mahsa Karami