One of Toronto’s most vibrant
neighbourhoods is, of course, GreekTown, also known as the Danforth. It is a
cosmopolitan area of the capital city of Ontario. It is the social and
commercial heart of Greek life in Toronto.
Starting from a small community
in 1907, it has grown to become a large Greek centre, the largest one in North
America. The streets are lined with the Greek and Canadian flags, whilst signs
are displayed in both English and Greek. (This feature is also evident in China
Town, whereby the signs are displayed in English and Chinese).
GreekTown hosts the annual Taste
of the Danforth festival. This event brings the delectable cuisine out of local
restaurants and into the streets. Lively tavernas are crowded with patrons
enjoying souvlaki and seafood, accompanied by retsina or ouzo.
In the Toronto GreekTown one can
also find a small square with statues of Alexander the Great. Part of this
collection of statues we find a lamp post. The GreekTown on the Danforth and
the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon host “The Marathon Flame,” brought
from Marathon, Greece (Thursday 11 October 2012). This Flame represents the
Spirit of the Marathon, namely: courage, dedication, determination, democracy
and world peace – born at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, now burning around
the world with the support of: Councillor Mary Fragedakis, City of Toronto;
Constantine Coidonicolas, Chair of The GreekTown on the Danforth BIA; Hon.
Dimitris Azemopoulos, Consul General of Greece in Toronto.
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