Nikolaos Bithas
Interviewer(s):
Angelo Laskaris
Project:
Childhood Narratives of Greek Canadians from the 1940s
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
January 22, 2022

Interview Summary:

Nikolaos Bithas was born in 1938 in Kallithea, Olympia, Greece. He remembers the arrival of both the Italian and German occupying forces in Greece during the Second World War. His family was involved in agricultural work, such as growing wheat and corn, as well as raising animals. During the Occupation, the family faced difficulties in finding food, and his father served at the front. In 1962, Bithas served in the army, and in 1967, he emigrated to Germany. In 1980, he returned to Greece and settled in Athens. In 1981, he immigrated to Canada with his wife, where they settled.

‍

Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
January 22, 2022
Toronto, ON
Interviewee(s)
Nikolaos Bithas
Interviewer(s)
Angelo Laskaris
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
40sREF008
Project
Childhood Narratives of Greek Canadians from the 1940s
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
Historical Events
Migration
Tags
Asia Minor Catastrophe
Europe
Greek Civil War
Military Service
Post-WW2 Migration
WW2
Decades Referenced
1920s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
Locations Referenced
Kalithea , Olympias, Athens, Germany, Toronto
Occupation(s)
Parking attendant
Parents Occupation(s)
Farmers
Names Referenced

[00:00:33] Childhood and formative years

[00:03:09] Life under Occupation

[00:04:55] Father's involvement in War of 1922

[00:06:58] His childhood home and village

[00:13:12] Frostbite from the Albanian Front & Occupation

[00:14:46] Communist guerillas

[00:19:07] Battles with Communists outside the village

[00:20:55] Life in the Army

[00:21:58] Migration to Germany

[00:26:45] Migration to Canada

[00:30:51] Work and family life in Toronto

This is some text inside of a div block.
No items found.
No items found.
Resources
HHF Greek Canadian Archives
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