Nancy Athan Mylonas was born in 1945 and raised in Cairo, Egypt, where she developed an early passion for dance. After leaving Egypt during the Nasser era, she lived in Greece before migrating to Australia in 1961, where she became deeply involved in Greek folklore and theatre. She eventually settled in Canada due to her husband’s diplomatic posting, continuing her cultural work by directing plays and engaging with the Greek diaspora, especially through the Nefeli and later the Ekfrassi group.
[00:00:02] Short summary of her life
[00:02:54] Early years in Egypt and her love of dance
[00:05:36] Her father's migration to Egypt and his first wife
[00:09:05] Her mother's death and growing up without her
[00:10:31] Her education and relationship with locals
[00:13:15] Military training and growing up Greek
[00:15:32] Life under Nasser and leaving Egypt
[00:21:52] Discovering Greek folk music in Athens
[00:24:55] Migration to Australia by ship in 1961
[00:27:20] Writing a play and learning Greek dances
[00:33:20] Transition from Egypt to Greece and Australia
[00:40:45] Studying Greek folklore and the 1974 mobilization
[00:50:08] The Greek Folklore Center in Sydney
[00:54:56] Her love for Greek culture and poetry
[00:57:50] Anastenaria and the taxi driver
[01:04:00] Greek associations; an award for her service
[01:07:15] "Canada, my Ithaca" winning the Karolos Koun award
[01:17:54] Migration to Canada; diplomats' spouses
[01:24:18] Her impressions of Canada and the Ekfrassi group
[01:32:31] Directing plays and the diaspora's future
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