Running head:​ ​BOOK REVIEW FOR THE GREEKS IN TORONTO 1

Book Review for The Greeks in Toronto: Constructing a Greek Identity

Tara Azizi

214620892

HIST 3356
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‘Grafos’ study aimed to create a better understanding of Greek identity within the City of

Toronto’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 2). Greek identity has been formed for two different reasons in

Toronto. ‘The Greek Kinoitis and Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area

(BIA) were both studied to investigate identity and its meaning’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 2). In his

research, Grafos mainly focused on Danforth Avenue. In order to study the Greeks in Toronto

thoroughly, a Census-based analysis was carried out to enhance our comprehension of their

spatial and socio-economic characteristics (Grafos, 2001, p. 2). The Kinoitis was able to form a

Greek identity publicized to its people through the formation of institutions (internal creation).

Alternatively, the business elites on Danforth Avenue have attempted to form a Greek identity to

market and advertise itself to the citizens of Toronto over-all (external creation). ‘Therefore,

internal and external creations have shaped two different meanings of “Greekness” and “Greek

identity” in Toronto’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 2).

The purpose of the book was to study the Greek community of Canada since they have

not been extensively studied, although they have lived in Canada for many years. The focus of

Grafos’ research was the Greek identity which has been formed in Toronto, specifically Danforth

Avenue, because people in Toronto have linked it with “Greek” and “Greekness” (Grafos, 2001,

p. 11). Grafos studied the formation of the Danforth to discover if his cognitive image of Greek

identity matches the images that are created on the Danforth (Grafos, 2001, p. 20).

Grafos’ thesis was organized into five chapters. The first chapter was the introduction and

stated the purpose, methods of research, as well as the Greek population of Toronto and Canada.

The second chapter was a Census-based analysis of the Greeks in Toronto. The second chapter

had two goals. The first goal was to discuss the spatial distribution of Greeks in Toronto at
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different points in time after World War II. The second goal was to examine the socio-economic

characteristics of the Greek population in Toronto. The third chapter was a review of the

literature, which was categorized into themes (primordial, instrumentalist, constructionist) which

were associated with ethnicity and identity. Existing literature was categorized into four thematic

topics (historical narrative, assimilationist, church based and language). The fourth chapter

explained the empirical findings of the research. The various concepts and theories of ethnic

identity formation and creation were examined in regards to Danforth Avenue and the Greek

Kinoitis as well as visual images such as writing, flags and symbols. The fifth chapter concluded

the study and connected the findings together.

‘Grafos’ study aimed to create a better understanding of Greek identity within the City of

Toronto’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 2). The first part of the thesis was that Greek identity has been formed

by Greek Kinoitis and Danforth Avenue for two different reasons. Thus, internal and external

creations of Greek identity have shaped two different meanings of “Greekness” and “Greek

identity” in Toronto. “One meaning of ‘Greekness’ and ‘Greek Identity’ is from the business

interests on Danforth Avenue” (Grafos, 2001, p. 89). Danforth Avenue has been associated with

“Greek”, especially with the use of many visual images throughout the area. This image was

made by the business elites on Danforth Avenue, but it did not originate from the Kinoitis. The

images formed on the Danforth were derived from ancient elements of the Greek culture because

people have a basic understanding of what these ancient images symbolize, such as a statue of

Alexander the Great, the Greek flag, or the use of Greek writing on store windows and street

signs (Grafos, 2001, p. 90). The second meaning of “Greek identity” stems from the Kinoitis of

Toronto. ‘The root for identity originally was being of Greek descent, characterized by language,
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religion and customs that were different from the people in the new country of settlement

(Canada)’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 90). The Kinoitis visual images are centered around history which

are shown on Danforth Avenue by business establishments.

‘Grafos’ study employed two methods in order to examine initial underlying questions

and answer the overriding topic of Greek identity’ (Grafos, 2001, p. 19). The first method was

quantitative. Data from Statistics Canada was used with the intent of gaining a better

understanding of the Green community. The quantitative data was collected for an analysis of the

spatial distribution of the Greek population residing in Toronto. Also, it was collected for an

analysis of the socio-economic characteristics of the Greek population. The analysis discussed

some of the research questions regarding Greek settlement, dispersion, socio-economic

characteristics, the possible exclusivity of Danforth, and Greeks as an ethnic group. The second

method used was qualitative to answer the rest of the research questions. The remaining

questions addressed Greek symbols and their creation, symbolism, the role of the Greek

community in the development of the Danforth and how a Greek identity has been formed in

Toronto. In particular, interviews with informed individuals were used to retrieve information to

understand the actions and intentions of Greek people and the community. “The interviews were

conducted with representatives from three different groups: The Greek Community of

Metropolitan Toronto (Kinoitis), Greektown on the Danforth Business Improvement Area and

Danforth by the Valley Business Improvement Area” (Grafos, 2001, p. 19).

Grafos’ book was written in expository style. In this study, there were many strengths

with the use of expository writing. Grafos did an exceptional job in educating and informing the

reader through the use of facts and statistical data. His facts were derived from research and
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reliable sources, which provided the reader with comprehensive knowledge on Greek identity.

The historical narrative gave the reader background information to understand the context better.

In Grafos’ argument, the concepts were clearly stated but lacked a concise definition and

explanation. There were several terms used throughout the article but the limited explanations

left the reader with a vague idea of what the terms mean in relation to each other. A thorough

explanation of the term, its origin, and its significance would enhance the reader’s understanding

even further. For example, the definition of Kinoitis was short and vague. Grafos failed to

mention the origin of the term or the historical context. Also, Grafos did not clearly state the

connection of the literatures themes (primordial, instrumentalist, constructionist) to the meaning

of Greek identity.

In the study’s methodology, there were weaknesses regarding the use of Census material.

There were limitations and lack of consistency in the use of Census material. ‘Between 1951 and

1996, Statistics Canada used several variables at different points in time to identify cultural

differences in Canada’s population, which are religion, language and ethnic origin’ (Grafos,

2001, p. 22). Grafos saw religion as the most useful variable since most people of Greek descent

are Greek Orthodox. However, it is problematic to use this variable to estimate the number of

Greeks presented in the society. The shift in their spatial patterns was undetectable for every

Census year since they were only obtainable for 1951, 1961, and 1971. This is problematic

because many ethnic groups may be affiliated with the Eastern Orthodox faith (for instance:

Ukrainians, Russians, Macedonians Bulgarians, Serbians and Romanians) (Grafos, 2001, p. 24).

In 1991, this discrepancy was heightened when the Census grouped religion into Protestants,

Catholics and Other. Lastly, in 1996 religion was permanently removed from the Census.
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Kitroeff’s “The Greeks in Egypt,” examines the Greek settlement in 19th century Egypt.

Also, they maintained their ethnic character through several factors; “a growth of the Greek

entity through mass immigration, the concentration of the population in urban centres, as well as

the differences in language and religion which set the Greeks culturally apart from all other

ethnic groups” (Kitroeff, 1989, p. 11). These factors are similar to those examined in Grafos’

book which looked at the concentration of the Greek community on Danforth Avenue. Also,

Grafos explored how language and religion helped Greeks preserve their ethnic character.

‘There was a surplus of Greek-language newspapers and publications in Alexandria,

Cairo and Port Said’ (Kitroeff, 1989, p. 18). They ranged from daily newspapers to specially

designed magazines. The daily newspapers addressed social issues and questions related to the

community, homeland as well as the country of settlement. Similarly, Grafos studied the

reproduction of ethnic identity of the Greeks living in Toronto through the use of visual images

such as writing in Greek letters, flags and symbols.

For this course, Grafos’ book is useful because it examined ethnicity and the formation of

ethnic identities through cultural factors. Learning about “Greekness” and “Greek identity” will

have a positive impact on people because it will inform them about how people difference as

well as how they are communicated. This book is useful for my degree in human resources

management because it teaches me the significance of learning about ethnic groups and their

identity. As a result of exploring ethnicity in this book, I have gained more knowledge in how

ethnicity is formed, what it means to ethnic groups and how it is represented. For my education,

it is useful to learn about different ethnic groups since it will help me improve my interpersonal

skills which are needed in the workplace.

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References

Grafos, D. J. (2001). ​The Greeks in Toronto: Constructing a Greek identity​.

Kitroeff, A. (1989). Greek ethnicity, community and classes in Egypt. In ​The Greeks in Egypt,

1919-1937: Ethnicity and class​ (pp. 11-33).