When the Canadian embassy suggested the Canadian community of Thessaloniki, Greece, band together in 2001, a small, but dynamic, group of Canadians and friends of Canada formed an informal network. Originally, we were composed of alumni from Canadian universities, but we then embraced an open-door policy.
In late 2011, incoming Canadian Ambassador to Greece, Robert Peck, and Maria Pantazi-Peck immediately suggested Athens follow the successful Thessaloniki model, and we extended the network to Athens. Successive ambassadors and embassy staff have been extremely supportive of this means of outreach to the local community.
Our informal Friends of Canada network facilitates the exchange of camaraderie and Canadian-related information between Canadians and friends of Canada from all nations (who live in Greece). We have a ‘pay as you go’ philosophy, and no monies are collected in any form.
Well-known Canadian Greek writer, Kathryn Lukey-Coutsocostas, is the founding and acting FoC coordinator.
Athens activities include:
Canada Nights
New Year 'Vasilopita' Cutting
Informal Canada Day Celebration
Friends of Canada Networks (*below): Welfare Network & Réseau Franco-Canadien/Franco-Canadian Network
Thessaloniki activities include:
Canada Nights
New Year 'Vasilopita' Cutting
Canadian table at the annual ethnic Food-for-Good Festival hosted by the Women from Five Continents in Plaz Aretsou (proceeds go to charity)
PRESS LINKS:
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 46, Autumn 2020, p 18, https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin46.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 45, Spring 2020, pp 9 - 10, https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin45.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 44, Autumn 2019, pp 10, https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin44.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 43, Spring 2019, pp 11-12, https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin43.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 42, Autumn 2018, pp 11 - 12,ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin42.pdf
--Liberal, Art News, July 18 2018, at end of article,ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ https://artnews.liberal.gr/arthro/192515/synenteyxeis/2018/H-trilogia-peri-psuchis-tis-lilas-koufopoulou.html
--Keadas - Greek Canadian Perspectives, July 17 2018, http://www.keadas.ca/2018/07/canada-day-celebrated-in-greece-photos.html
--Tornos News.gr, July 13 2018,http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tourism-businesses/markets/31957-canada-day-celebrated-on-july-9th-in-athens-greece.html?print
--Avenue Post, Canada.GreekReporter.com,July 12 2018,ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ http://avenuepost.com/ca/greekreporter/
--Greek Reporter Canada, July 12 2018, http://canada.greekreporter.com/2018/07/12/canada-day-celebrated-in-greece-photos/
--Greek Reporter Canada, June 15, 2018, http://canada.greekreporter.com/2018/06/15/canadians-were-a-hit-at-food-for-good-festival-in-kalamaria-thessaloniki-photos/
--Tornos News, June 06, 2018, http://www.tornosnews.gr/en/tourism-businesses/gastronomy/31637-food-for-good-festival-big-hit-in-kalamaria-thessaloniki.html
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 41, Spring 2018, pp 9 - 10,ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ https://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin41.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 40, Autumn 2017, pp 11, http://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin40.pdfÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 39, Spring 2017, pp 10-11, http://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin39.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 38, Autumn 2016, pp 8-9, http://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin38.pdf
--The Canadian Institute in Greece, Bulletin 37, Spring 2016, pp 9-10, http://www.cig-icg.gr/sites/default/files/docs/Bulletin37.pdf