Lia Overs Haritou
Interviewer(s):
Angelo Laskaris
Project:
Childhood Narratives of Greek Canadians from the 1940s
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronton, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
December 20, 2023

Interview Summary:

Lia Overs Haritou shares her story after the Second World War. She describes the difficulties her family faced, such as the situation of her father who was unjustly accused of being a communist and imprisoned. Despite the adversities, she managed to develop her musical and theatrical talent, participating in cultural events and performances. When she was given the opportunity to immigrate to Canada, she initially faced difficulties but then found support and opportunities for personal and professional development. Her narrative captures the challenges and opportunities faced by Greek immigrants to Canada in the 1950s.

Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
December 20, 2023
Toronton, ON
Interviewee(s)
Lia Overs Haritou
Interviewer(s)
Angelo Laskaris
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
40sREF024
Project
Childhood Narratives of Greek Canadians from the 1940s
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Categories
Working Life
Education
Historical Events
Tags
Asia Minor Catastrophe
Greek Civil War
Rural Greek Economy
WW2
Decades Referenced
1930s
1940s
Locations Referenced
Naoussa, Veria, Edessa, Thessaloniki, Athens, Toronto, Farsala, Gavros, Vienna
Occupation(s)
Parents Occupation(s)
Military family
Names Referenced

[00:01:19] Early life in Naoussa

[00:11:30] Family origins and her grandfather's wine business

[00:16:00] Uncle's involvement in foreign relations in Vienna

[00:24:50] 1917 Fire in Thessaloniki [00:26:51] Paternal grandfather's wine business

[00:32:06] Family story [00:45:50] Father involvement in Asia Minor

[00:51:18] Childhood  in pre-war Naoussa

[00:58:25] The day war broke out in 1940

[01:03:02] Attending highschool and conservatory

[01:08:24] Life under Occupation

[01:12:21] German Soldiers in Naoussa

[01:22:28] Story of brother with German soldiers

[01:24:06] Brother's injury

[01:25:13] Cousin's relation with a German

[01:27:49] Atrocities by Bulgarian soldiers

[01:33:03] Father's involvement in Resistance being typewriter

[01:50:33] Father taken by Communists in the mountains

[01:54:38] Father exile in Gavros

[02:16:41] House in Naoussa burned down

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Her grandmother, who made bombota.
Her mother, Lia, and her sister in 1934.
The kiosk in Naousa
Her extensive family in Naousa
Grandfather and Grandmother Ioulia and Zisis, in 1885
Grandmother Julia and Father Yiannis, in 1929
Haritou family
Her father Yiannis Haritos Officer of Greek Army.
Her parents.
Lia during apple harvest.
Lia with her sister Lela, in 1940.
No items found.
Her grandmother, who made bombota.
Her mother, Lia, and her sister in 1934.
The kiosk in Naousa
Her extensive family in Naousa
Grandfather and Grandmother Ioulia and Zisis, in 1885
Grandmother Julia and Father Yiannis, in 1929
Haritou family
Her father Yiannis Haritos Officer of Greek Army.
Her parents.
Lia during apple harvest.
Lia with her sister Lela, in 1940.
No items found.
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