The past year has been an especially productive one for the Greek Canadian Archives, housed at the Hellenic Heritage Foundation of the University of York.
The completion of innovative research and extensive digitization projects represents a significant achievement in the effort to preserve and elucidate the history of the Greek Canadian community.
As a result of a donation of newspapers, the Hellenic Canadian Archives now possesses one of the most comprehensive collections of newspapers pertaining to the Greek diaspora.
Growing collection
Furthermore, the collection is growing with the addition of 115 films that document the Greek Civil War and the socio-political milieu of Greece from 1930 to 1950. Additionally, the late author Christos Ziatas bequeathed 31 boxes of rare books.
Moreover, former Member of Parliament John Cannis provided a loan of 157 photographs, correspondence, press releases, and other records pertaining to his political career. The digitization of these records is now complete and will be accessible in early 2025.
Research activity
The Greek Canadian Archives team has established the institution as a hub of interdisciplinary research activity. The current status of the project includes the coordination of seven initiatives, four of which incorporate elements of oral history.
Moreover, researchers who have collaborated with the Hellenic Canadian Archives have conducted over 100 hours of interviews, 65 of which are currently accessible on the digital portal. The portal serves as a vital resource for students from diverse geographical locations.
Enhancing the digital archive
The team responsible for the Greek Canadian archive is expanding the digitization of the archives, having now digitized dozens of recordings of George Thaniil, Chair of the University of Toronto’s Modern Greek Program from 1971 to 1991.
The tapes contain discussions, lectures, and performances by prominent Greek voices of the 20th century. The texts encompass a diverse array of subjects, including poetry, prose, and theater. The collection of photographs created by Dimitris Mandalas is currently undergoing digitization. Furthermore, the digitization of photographs and texts by former MP John Cannis is underway.
Next year, the group will begin digitizing material including over 1,000 U-matic videotapes shot by Vassilis Avramis documenting decades of community events in Toronto, as well as a collection of DV and DVD mini-cassettes of community events and interviews donated by Tryphon Haitas.
The Greek Canadian Archives as a Research Resource
Among those who have used the texts in the Greek Canadian Archives is York PhD candidate Frosini Radou, who talked about the value of this collection. “It’s a platform where history is written by and for Greeks in Canada”, she says.
She describes it as “a reflection of the Greek diaspora; a place to look to understand ‘ourselves.” She, also, believes that the portal should not be seen as a static repository, but rather as “an object of research and an invitation to future generations to contribute”.
Comment by Vassilis Molos
Director of Research, Vassilis Molos, attributes the progress of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation to the commitment of the Greek Canadian community to preserving their heritage.
He goes on to say that the project’s “achievements are the result of the continued efforts of stakeholders, researchers and volunteers.
