The beginnings of Diaspora Nostrum are simple
and organic. Members had participated in the
“Karya Society” and other small
Greek community groups for years in Toronto
and Ottawa. These second-generation Canadians
of Greek background, however, wanted to create
an organization to promote cultural events and
bring people together via their interest in
the arts, music, dance and languages. They felt
it was important to continue their ties with
Europe and beyond and develop a more active
group that created events not typically held
by other associations.
The inspiration for creating Diaspora
Nostrum occurred during the planning of an event
featuring a Greek-diaspora artist. They were
discussing how to get a Greek South African,
Harry Sideropoulos, a radio personality and
theatrical producer, to Toronto for an event
and the friends that formed Diaspora Nostrum
sat around a table discussing the “fabulous
Greeks in different parts of the world”
they knew and how the friends could use their
various professional backgrounds to coordinate
events that would bring together international
Greek talent. The activities the group plans
to hold regularly include the celebration of
“good food, good music, and dancing”
so that ‘kefi’ is guaranteed.
The organization is aptly named. The
word “diaspora” denotes “the
dispersing of the seed,” which refers
to a nation’s people “spreading
out and inhabiting other lands”. The word
‘Nostrum’ is based upon the Latin
phrase “Mare Nostrum”, which means
‘our sea’ and which in this case
refers to the Mediterranean Sea.
"Diaspora Nostrum, which focuses
on bringing together Hellenes of artistic talents
from all over the world, appears to be a grassroots
and homegrown organization with a lot of potential
to galvanize not only Diaspora Greeks and the
Omogenia per se, but also to foment collaboration
and cooperation among all Diaspora communities
within the rich Canadian Mosaic."
Tina Margellis, TYPOS Newpaper,
Toronto
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