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“Greece Then, Greece Now: The Hellenic Community of Saskatoon” is a Community Stories project which explores both the relationship between daily life in modern and ancient Greece, and the history of Greek immigrants to Canada and more specifically, Saskatoon.
The project begins with a recreation of the Museum of Antiquities exhibit entitled “Greece Then and Now.” This exhibit uses ancient artifacts from the Museum’s permanent collection with modern Greek artifacts loaned by members of the Saskatoon Hellenic Community. These artifacts help to illustrate comparisons and contrasts between the daily life of Greeks in antiquity and today. The areas explored under the umbrella of daily life include: religion, food and drink, marriage, music, entertainment, sports, and dress.
After looking at Greece, both modern and ancient, on a more general scale, the Community Stories exhibit focuses on the history of the Hellenic community of Saskatoon. The first of three storylines illustrating this history focuses on the Order of AHEPA. This organization was integral in helping Greek immigrants adapt to their new environment while retaining their own culture and traditions. AHEPA’s international, national and local history, projects and accomplishments are outlined.
Our second storyline examines the development, largely through the efforts of local AHEPANs, of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Saskatoon. The final storyline charts the life and experiences of one extraordinary member of this Community, Cleo Girgulis.
