2021 marks an important milestone for Greek Communities across the globe as we recognize and celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, also known as the Greek War of Independence.
As part of this commemoration and under the auspices of the Greece 2021 Organizing Committee, the HHF was proud to hold the following event:
Historic Plaque Unveiling – 170 Jarvis Street, Toronto:
170 Jarvis Street is a very important location in the history of the Greek Community in Toronto. In 1912, Greek immigrants across Ontario raised funds so that the community could purchase the building. It served as our first church, our first Greek School and our first community centre. It’s where the earliest Greeks founded our community in Toronto.
We at the Hellenic Heritage Foundation felt it was important to honour this part of our heritage and have successfully applied to have an historical plaque erected at 170 Jarvis St. through Heritage Toronto.
While capacity was limited, the event was attended by the following special guests:
- Consul General of Greece, Victor Maligoudis
- Member of Parliament, Julie Dabrusin
- Member of Provincial Parliament, Effie Triantafilopoulos
- Member of Provincial Parliament, Peter Tabuns
- City Councillor, Paula Fletcher
- City Councillor, Nick Mantas
- Historian, Michael Mouratidis
- President of the Greek Community of Toronto, Andonis Artemakis
- HHF Chair in Modern Greek History at York University, Sakis Gekas
- Emcee/Heritage Toronto Board Chair, Liza Chalaidopoulos
- And of course, Toronto Mayor, John Tory who provided remarks
Thank you all once again for your support of our efforts and allowing us to continue our mission to preserve, promote and advance Hellenism in Canada and special thanks to HHF Director Sandra Gionas for her initiative on this project, Mr. Michael Mouratidis for the original idea to honour this historic location and to the HHF History Committee for carrying out this important initiative.