Lia Overs - Haritou
Interviewer:
Angelo Laskaris
Project:
Greek Canadian Stories
INTERVIEW LOCATION:
Toronto, ON
LANGUAGE:
Greek
DATE:
June 17, 2024

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.

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Interview Details
Categories and Themes
Content
Media
Date and Location
June 17, 2024
Toronto, ON
Participants
Lia Overs - Haritou
Intervieweer(s)
Angelo Laskaris
Languages
Greek
Reference ID
GICREF123
Project
Greek Canadian Stories
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Categories
Culture and Tradition
Education
Historical Events
Migration
Working Life
Tags
Entrepreneurship
Greek Civil War
Ocean Liner
Post-WW2 Migration
WW2
Decades Referenced
1940s
1950s
Locations Referenced
Thessaloniki, Naoussa, Veria, Athens, Gibraltar, Toronto
Occupation(s)
Parents Occupation(s)
Military Family
Names Referenced
Manos Katrakis

[00:00:50] Sings a song titled "Το Χωριό"

[00:02:46] The Resistance Movement in Naoussa

[00:07:29] Hiding from Guerilla Fighters

[00:12:24] Fighters burn their family house

[00:15:35] Fighters flee and kill Individuals

[00:19:45] Germans assist her injurded brother

[00:28:00] Father in exile and efforts of repatriation home

[00:32:19] Volunteering to various causes[00:40:30] Family moves to Thessaloniki 1950

[00:44:12] Drama School, Τheatre of Thessaloniki (Odeon)

[00:46:35] American Institute & Lyceum Club of Greek Women

[00:51:42] American Navy in Thessaloniki events [00:53:06] Makedoniki Pavilion Thessaloniki

[00:54:54] Lyceum Club of Greek Women sings at the Pavilion

[01:04:40] Television Event, Thessaloniki International Fair American Pavilion

[01:10:53] Welcomes the King and Queen

[01:20:20] Father's war past affecting Lia's migration

[01:23:28] Leaves Thessaloniki to Athens

[01:25:40] Katrakis takes her to REX Cinemas Athens

[01:27:49] Migration to Canada

[01:40:03] Parents reaction to migration

[01:44:28] Farewell to father on the train

[01:48:50] On the ship and her journey

[02:08:35] St. George's and meeting other Greeks in Toronto

[02:11:00] Leisure of working Greeks

[02:12:22] Working life in Canada

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Lia in Thessaloniki international Exhibition in 1951
At the American Pavilion in the International Fair with King and Queen of Greece in front of television system 1951
Leaving for Athens in 1956
Her brother Sakis and Her after his arrival in Toronto 1958
First Christmas in Canada with her brother
25th March 1957 in Toronto with her dance partner
Greek Comunity of Toronto events 1958
No items found.
Lia in Thessaloniki international Exhibition in 1951
At the American Pavilion in the International Fair with King and Queen of Greece in front of television system 1951
Leaving for Athens in 1956
Her brother Sakis and Her after his arrival in Toronto 1958
First Christmas in Canada with her brother
25th March 1957 in Toronto with her dance partner
Greek Comunity of Toronto events 1958
No items found.
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