Thanasis Margaritis

INTERVIWE DATE:

March 18, 2025

Interviewer:

Alexandros Balasis

language:

Greek

Speaker Background:

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INTERVIEW LOCATION:

Toronto, ON

OCUPATION:

Interview Summary:

Interview Quotes

Thanasis Margaritis

GICREF113

Participants

Thanasis Margaritis

Intervieweer(s)

Alexandros Balasis

Date and Location

March 18, 2025

Toronto, ON

Languages

Greek

Permalink

Project

Greeks in Canada: A Digital Public History

Reference ID

GICREF113

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.

Canadian Society

Culture and Tradition

Education

Historical Events

Homeland Activism

Migration

Anti Junta Movement

English Learning

Greek Community

Greek School

Junta

Post-WW2 Migration

Traditions

Decades Referenced

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

Locations Referenced

Desfina (Phocis), Amphissa, Athens, Polykastro (Kilkis), Toronto, St. Thomas ON

Occupation(s)

Parents Occupation(s)

Farmer, horse breeder (father)

Names Referenced

Katina Margaritis [(née Gerou) wife], Leonidas Polymenakos

[00:04:28] Memories from the Civil War and WW2

[00:07:30] Studying in Athens as the first of his family

[00:12:15] Entertainment and free time

[00:15:26] The 1960s political crisis in Greece as a student

[00:21:39] Servicing the Army and seeking a job

[00:24:58] 21st of April 1967 and his marriage

[00:30:49] Deciding to emigrate to Canada

[00:34:48] The journey and reaching Toronto

[00:38:56] First days, finding a job and learning English

[00:48:43] Moving to St. Thomas and life there

[00:54:24] Greeks in Toronto and Greek school

[01:04:17] How Greeks in Toronto saw the Dictatorship

[01:09:14] Anti-Junta movement and fundraising

[01:17:00] Polymenakos, GCT and the relations with Church

[01:22:32] Educational Association and playing Karagiozis

[01:30:39] Metapolitefsi and thoughts to return to Greece

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.

Speaker Background:

INTERVIEW LOCATION:

OCUPATION:

Interview Summary:

Interview Quotes

Thanasis Margaritis

GICREF113

Participants

Thanasis Margaritis

Intervieweer(s)

Alexandros Balasis

Date and Location

March 18, 2025

Toronto, ON

Languages

Greek

Permalink

Project

Greeks in Canada: A Digital Public History

Reference ID

GICREF113

Categories

Canadian Society

Culture and Tradition

Education

Historical Events

Homeland Activism

Migration

Tags

Anti Junta Movement

English Learning

Greek Community

Greek School

Junta

Post-WW2 Migration

Traditions

Decades Referenced

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

Locations Referenced

Occupation(s)

Parents Occupation(s)

Names Referenced