Greek Community of Alexandria

Tag: Canada

  • Greek Native Offering Language Lessons in Jasper: ‘I Just Want to Share my Culture’

    Greek Native Offering Language Lessons in Jasper: ‘I Just Want to Share my Culture’

    ΟμογένειαGreek native Kostas Souliaris moved to Canada from Greece five years ago. He settled in Jasper, Alberta, where there is a healthy Greek population and decided that it was about time that Greek language lessons were offered in the town.

    Although the details are yet to be finalized, so far he has put together a loose syllabus for his classes and Souliaris has organized a meeting to further discuss the classes and see if there are enough people interested in learning Greek in the community to kick-off his lessons. The meeting is taking place at the Jasper Municipal Library on November 26 at 11:00 am and is open for anyone interested in attending and learning more about the Greek language lessons.

    “We’re trying to see if there are enough people and then we can start to move forward,” he said to Jasper’s Independent Newspaper, The Fitzhugh, adding, “The course will basically be free” adding that he will volunteer as the course’s instructor.

    Souliaris also noted that prospective students might be asked to contribute a $10 monthly fee to help cover the cost of renting a classroom for lessons to be taught at the Habitat for the Arts.

    So far, Souliaris has had inquiries about the Greek lessons from both Greeks and non-Greeks. He says that he is very pleased about the interest generated in the town. “We welcome everyone. I just want to share my culture,” he commented.

    (canada.greekreporter.com)

  • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joins Greek Independence Day parade in Montreal

    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joins Greek Independence Day parade in Montreal

    ΓενικάMONTREAL — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau returned to his Montreal riding of Papineau on Sunday to join several thousand people at the city’s Greek Independence Day parade.

    Trudeau quickly left the head of the procession to shake hands with members of the crowd lining the sidewalk. 

    He later waved a Greek flag from the sidelines.

    The parade, which has been taking place in Montreal for about 40 years, featured brightly-dressed dancers and schoolchildren waving Greek, Quebec and Canadian flags.

    One float paid tribute to the Greek island of Lesbos and featured children wearing life jackets worn by refugees.

    A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister’s Office said Trudeau makes a point of attending the event every year since it takes place in his riding.

    A day after Trudeau was mobbed by fans in a Halifax farmer’s market, he proved to be equally popular with an enthusiastic Montreal crowd.

    John Kountourakis and Aglaia Panopalis ran through the crowds with their two young children to catch Trudeau, and the kids were rewarded with handshakes and high-fives.

    “The fact that he came here as a Prime Minister when no other Prime Minister has come to the parade is fantastic,” Kountourakis said. “It says a lot about him.”

    Spyros Montzenigos, a representative of Montreal’s Hellenic Community, said Trudeau’s appearance was extra-special this year now that holds the country’s highest office. 

    “It’s the Greeks that voted for him, when he became a deputy, and then he became Prime Minister,” he said. “So the Greek community is supporting him pretty well.”

    (thechronicleherald.ca)