The rich legacy of Greek-Canadian political activism during Greece’s military dictatorship will be the topic in an upcoming seminar led by Associate Professor Sakis Gekas, Chair in Modern Greek History at York University.
The event, titled “From PAK to PASOK: Anti-Dictatorship Resistance in Toronto and the Metapolitefsi”, will be streamed live online on Thursday, June 5, at 7 pm (12 pm Athens time).
Professor Gekas will delve into how Greeks in Toronto formed grass-root resistance against the military junta that seized power in Greece on April 21, 1967.
The Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Greece was a uniquely Canadian response. This local initiative later intersected with the broader Panhellenic Liberation Movement (PAK), led by Andreas Papandreou, who brought the movement to Toronto in 1969.
The talk will explore key moments of this overseas resistance, examining its impact on public discourse, media, and community institutions — including Greek churches and community organisations, some of which were accused of supporting the junta.
The talk will also reflect on the long-term effects of this activism, particularly Papandreou’s symbolic return to Toronto as Prime Minister in 1983, during the post-junta metapolitefsi era.
Gekas’s presentation draws from historic materials in the York University HHF Greek Canadian Archives.
Event Details:
Title: From PAK to PASOK: Anti-Dictatorship Resistance in Toronto and the Metapolitefsi
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. Sakis Gekas, York University
Date: Thursday June 5
Time: 7pm (12pm Athens time)
Location: Online – Facebook/YouTube
Language: English
