Official Launch of the120th Anniversary Celebrations of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal

ΔΕΛΤΙΟ ΤΥΠΟΥ

Official Launch of the120th Anniversary Celebrations

of the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal

Montreal, Quebec — January 2026.
Today, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal (HCGM) returned to its historic roots, the grounds of Hotel10, where a press conference was held for Canadian and Greek media to mark the official launch of the events celebrating the 120th anniversary of its founding. The venue was chosen for its profound symbolism: it is the very site where the Church of the Holy Trinity once stood, as well as the historic Godin building, which housed the Community’s first offices.

This space—now part of Hotel10—continues to radiate sacred memories for the Greek community of Montreal, preserving the living imprint of the earliest days of organized Hellenic presence in the city. It offered the ideal setting to honour this historic milestone.

In the presence of official guests, former Presidents, and friends of the Community, the President of the HCGM, Mr. Basil Angelopoulos, stated:
“The history of our Community is a story of faith, hard work, devotion, and progress. Today we return to the place where it all began, to honour those who paved the way and, above all, to reaffirm our commitment to continue with the same sense of responsibility toward our generations to come, our language, our culture, our faith, and the society in which we live.”

From her side, Ms. Justine Frangouli-Argyris, Chair of the 120th Anniversary Committee, noted:
“This anniversary is not merely a reflection on the past; it is an invitation to the entire hospitable city of Montreal. With a clear and substantial events planning, we call upon the people of Montreal—Greek and non-Greek alike—to celebrate with us and to share the future we are building together for the generations to come.”

Since 1906, the Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal has stood alongside the Greek diaspora, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the preservation and promotion of the Greek language, Orthodox Christian faith, history, and culture across many generations, while also contributing meaningfully to the economic, social and cultural life of Montreal and Quebec.

Today, the HCGM proudly operates the largest network of private elementary schools in Quebec, with five campuses across Greater Montreal and more than 1,000 students. It also has a secondary school campus, three supplementary education campuses, six churches, and two community centres, offering a wide range of services to its members.

With a rich and multifaceted program of events throughout the year, the anniversary celebrations begin in January with the annual MONTREAL FOLKLORE WORKSHOP DIMITRI’S TZOTZIS dance. In February, the event “Our Roots, Our Journey” luncheon—dedicated to the founding families of the Hellenic Community of Montreal—will follow, along with the celebration of International Greek Language Day.

In March, which is the month of the Greek National Day, the program includes a reception at the Parliament of Canada, an event for the Greek National Anniversary at ICAO headquarters, and an official recognition by the City of Montreal with the opening of a photographic exhibition at City Hall. The month culminates with the National Anniversary Gala at Château Royal, the annual parade on Jean Talon and subsequent reception, as well as the formal recognition of the HCGM’s historic milestone by the National Assembly of Quebec.

 For more information, news updates, and the full calendar of events, please visit 120.hcgm.org.

 Hellenic Community of Greater Montreal 120th Anniversary

Calendar of Events 2026

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January 2026

·        January 27 | HOTEL10 – Official Press Conference Launching the HCGM 120th Anniversary.

·        January 31 | Centre de Congrès Palace – Annual Winter Dance of the Montreal Folklore Workshop “Dimitris Tzotzis”.

·        Starting in January (monthly) – Youth Educational Program: International Diplomatic Relations and the role of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Monthly series at ICAO Headquarters, under the guidance of Ambassador Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, in collaboration with the Consul General of Greece in Montreal, Mr. Nikolaos Karalekas.

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February 2026

·        February 8 | HOTEL10 – “Our Roots, Our Journey” Inaugural Event - Honorary Luncheon in tribute to the Founding Families of our Community.

·        February 15 | Hellenic Community Centre of Montreal – Celebration of International Greek Language Day.

·        February 24 | Bistro Grec Philinos Parc – Cocktail Reception in honour of the local Greek Media.

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March 2026

Hellenic Heritage Month – Bill sponsored by Hon. Senator Tony Loffreda and supported by Hon. Senator Leo Housakos

·        March 16 | Souvlaki Bar VSL – Cocktail Reception in honour of local Greek Associations and Organizations.

·        March 23 | Parliament of Canada – Official Reception for the Proclamation of Greek Independence Day organized by the Interparliamentary Canada-Greece Friendship Group.

·        March 24 | Montreal City Hall – Proclamation celebrating Greek Independence Day.

·        March 26 | ICAO Headquarters – Reception hosted by ICAO in honour of Greek Independence Day for the Diplomatic Corps of Montreal. Hosts: Ambassador Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos and Consul General Mr. Nikolaos Karalekas.

·        March 27 | Montreal City Hall – Recognition Ceremony and Opening of Photo Exhibition. Golden Book Signing and Reception.

·        March 28 | Laval City Hall – Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Laval Cenotaph. Golden Book Signing and Reception.

·        March 28 | Salles de réception et congrès Château Royal – Official Anniversary Gala Dinner for Greek National Independence Day. Tribute to the Exodus of Messolonghi.

·        March 29 | Annunciation of the Theotokos Church – Doxology for Greek National Independence Day.

·        March 29 | Jean‑Talon Street – Official Greek National Independence Day Parade.

·        March 29 | Salles de réception et congrès Château Royal – Official Reception for Greek National Independence Day in collaboration with the Consul General of Greece in Montreal, Mr. Nikolaos Karalekas.

·        March 31 | National Assembly of Quebec – Official recognition of the HCGM within Quebec society through the submission of a related motion to the National Assembly.

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April 2026

·        April 13 – Cocktail Reception in honour of the 120th Anniversary Committees.

·        April 18 | Centre de Congrès Palace – Official Gala Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of Saint George Cathedral.

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May 2026

·        May 1 | Salles de réception et congrès Château Royal – “Viva, Hellenic Community!” Festive Gathering and Fundraising Event hosted by Local Greek Associations in Honour of the HCGM.

·        May 9 | Saint George Cathedral – Byzantine Music Concert by the School of Byzantine Music of Montreal, featuring Dimitrios Katsiklis, Protopsaltis of Saint Nicholas Church (New York), and his son.

·        May 23 | Salles de réception et congrès Château Royal – Official Gala Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Church.

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June 2026

·        June 7 - HCGM Fundraising Committee Annual Lottery Draw

·        June 14 – Charity Fundraiser in support of the Hellenic Library of Montreal, featuring a screening of the film “Kapodistrias”.

·        June 20–24 | South Shore Hellenic Community Centre – Annual South Shore Outdoor Greek Festival.

·        June 26–29 | Holy Cross Church Courtyard – Annual Laval Outdoor Greek Festival.

·        June – HCGM Soccer Tournament.

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July 2026

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August 2026

·        August 20–23 – “Hellenic Flame” Montreal Outdoor Greek Festival.

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September 2026

·        September – Golf Tournament and Fashion Show.

·        September - Gala of Socrates–Demosthenes School Alumni and Former Students

·        September 26 – Tribute Concert featuring Local Musicians.

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October 2026

·        October 4 | Laval Junior Academy Theatre – “The Courtyard of Wonders” by Iakovos Kambanellis, produced by the Greek Theatre Workshop “Thespis”.

·        October 30 | Place des Arts – Grand Concert by renowned musician George Dalaras.

·        October 31 | Laval Cenotaph – Wreath-Laying Ceremony for the Greek National Holiday (OXI Day).

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November 2026

·        November 1 | Saint George Cathedral – Doxology and Festive Luncheon for the Greek National Holiday (OXI Day).

·        November 14 | Salles de réception et congrès Château Royal – Recognition Gala and Medal Award Ceremony honouring distinguished contributors to the Community.

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December 2026

·        December 31 | Newly renovated Hellenic Community Centre of Montreal – New Year’s Eve Anniversary Gala and Official Closing of the 120th Anniversary Celebrations.

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Calendar subject to change

 

 

Mark Carney: The New Leader of the Western World Who Captured Davos!

 

Mark Carney: The New Leader of the Western World Who Conquered Davos

Written by Justine Frangouli-Argyris

They say that no adviser or speechwriter assisted the Canadian prime minister in crafting the address that left the global audience stunned, as he drew on Thucydides (Carney is known to be an admirer of antiquity) and a simple human allegory to demonstrate that “everything flows, everything changes, nothing remains.”

The Canadian prime minister’s speech in Davos was not yet another technocratic intervention on the global economy; it was a public diagnosis of crisis, delivered in a tone that resembled a warning more than an analysis. Mark Carney described a world in which rules have eroded, institutions have weakened, and the international order functions more as a backdrop than as a reality. His statement that “the old order is not coming back” was not merely an observation about our era; it was a direct denunciation of the unilateral power exercised by certain major countries, as international reports noted.

His critique, though he named no one, clearly targeted the policies associated with American leadership in recent years. The weaponization of economic interdependence, the devaluation of international agreements, the logic of power over cooperation — all these formed the underlying axis of his speech. His reference to the Greenland episode, which he used as an example of arbitrariness, served as a symbol of an era in which geopolitical behavior is no longer constrained by rules but by the will of powerful countries.

The sharpness of his speech did not lie in individual phrases but in its overall architecture: he presented a world where destabilization is not accidental but the result of deliberate choices. And he called on the “middle powers” to stop acting as passive observers and to assume an active role in shaping a new, more stable international reality.

Carney’s intervention in Davos was, essentially, a warning: that the age of arbitrariness carries a cost, that the abolition of rules is not an abstract notion but a threat to global security, and that the international community can no longer rely on an order that has ceased to function. In this sense, Carney’s speech was sharp not because he attacked anyone, but because he described with precision a reality many avoid saying aloud.

Although Carney did not name Trump, the severity of his speech was unprecedented:
• He spoke of “weapons of economic integration”
• Of the “death of the international order”
• Of “rupture” rather than “transition”
• Of “hypothetical rules” that no longer apply

The target of these phrases is clear: the Trump-era approach is viewed by the Canadian prime minister as a key factor in destabilizing the global order.

Carney appeared as a leader calling for unity in the face of an era of arbitrariness, unilateralism, and the dismantling of rules — an era which, in his analysis, has been accelerated by the choices of the American command, behaving imperially in ways reminiscent of kings and emperors.

 

Canada–USA: The Fracturing of a Strong Alliance

 

Canada–USA: The Fracturing of a Strong Alliance

By Justine Frangouli-Argyri

The relationship between the United States and Canada—once a model of allied cooperation—is now overshadowed by the economic aggressiveness of the American president and diplomatic miscommunication. At the heart of this rupture lie the unilaterally increasing tariffs and the failure of dialogue, which have turned two trusted partners into wary adversaries.

President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports, initially at 25% and later raising them to 35%. These measures, presented as necessary for U.S. national security, targeted a wide range of products, excluding only energy and goods covered by the USMCA agreement. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs, sparking a trade war that disrupted supply chains and raised consumer prices in both countries.

The decision to impose tariffs of up to 35% on Canadian goods is not just economically damaging—it is politically offensive. Canada is neither a competitor nor a threat—it is an ally. Using tariffs as a pressure tool against a close partner reveals a deeper crisis: the weakening of bilateral cooperation and the rise of unilateral nationalism, the peak of trade protectionism driven by U.S. economic dominance.

Canada’s retaliatory response was expected, but the real damage isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the breakdown of trust. When trade negotiations are interrupted by a social media post, and when diplomatic gestures—like Prime Minister Carney’s friendly bet on the Baseball World Cup—are blatantly ignored, we’re no longer talking about politics. We’re talking about contempt.

The turning point came last week when Trump abruptly cut off all trade negotiations with Canada. The trigger? A television ad by Ontario Premier Doug Ford featuring Ronald Reagan warning against high tariffs and the dangers of trade protectionism. Trump accused Canada of using the ad to influence a Supreme Court case regarding his authority to impose tariffs.

Beyond the economic fallout, the diplomatic tone from the American side has intensified. This collapse of trust and dialogue peaked with Trump’s decision to end talks via social media rather than diplomatic channels—a tactic that reflects a shift toward unilateral theatrics.

Canada, for its part, has begun to distance itself from dependence on the U.S. Prime minister Carney announced plans to double exports to non-American markets over the next decade, signaling a strategic pivot away from American unpredictability.

The deterioration of U.S.–Canada relations has broader consequences. The two countries share longstanding defense commitments, cultural ties, and economic interdependence. But today’s climate shows how fragile those bonds become when economic nationalism and political spectacle replace mutual respect and strategic dialogue.

Analysts warn that the U.S. risks being seen as an unreliable partner, while Canada may increasingly turn to Europe and Asia for trade and diplomatic stability.

In short, the trade war and diplomatic silence between the U.S. and Canada reflect a deeper crisis of trust. An alliance that once operated effortlessly now risks complete rupture—proof that even the closest allies can falter when communication fails and economic aggression prevails.

The question isn’t whether the U.S. and Canada will continue to cooperate. The question is how. Today’s crisis isn’t just commercial—it’s existential. If these historic allies can’t communicate, disagree respectfully, and resolve differences through dialogue, then the very concept of alliance loses its meaning.

Restoring trust requires political will, institutional seriousness, and above all, recognition that cooperation is not weakness. It is strength.

President Trump, who claims to think like a businessman, must accept—without tantrums or theatrics—that with this behavior towards Canada, he is essentially losing his most valuable ally on the American continent.

Strong Business Participation and Award Ceremony at the 34th Hermes Expo

 

Strong Business Participation and Award Ceremony at the 34th Hermes Expo

The 34th Annual Hermes Expo took place on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the Grand Marquis in Old Bridge, New Jersey. It served as a premier platform for business development and networking between Greek, Greek-American, and American companies.

Founded by Paul Kotrotsios and now organized by him in collaboration with his daughter, Aphrodite Kotrotsios, the Expo brings together professionals from a variety of sectors—from food and beverage to technology, healthcare, tourism, and finance—offering unique opportunities for collaboration, product promotion, and idea exchange. At the same time, it promotes Greek values and the entrepreneurship of the Greek diaspora in the U.S.

A highlight of the event is the presence of leaders from the business, political, and cultural spheres. This year’s keynote speakers included:

• Phil Kafarakis – President & CEO of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association
• Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis – General Director of the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) – Hellexpo
• Michael Bolos – CEO of Thunderbird LLC, who spoke on the revival of American industry and the artificial intelligence revolution

The Expo traditionally honors individuals and businesses that stand out for their contribution to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the strengthening of Greek-American relations. In the presence of Consul General Iphigenia Kanara, this year’s honorees included:

• Ambassador George Tsounis – U.S. Ambassador to Greece, recognized for strengthening U.S.-Greece relations
• Justine Frangouli – Author and President of the Lyceum of Greek Women of Montreal, honored for advocating for women’s rights, empowering Greek women, and her contributions to modern Greek culture through her books and as president of the LEM

  Irina Kapetanakis – Entrepreneur and Rumble Boxing franchisee, for empowering women in the business sphere

• Alec Oikonomakis – Supreme President of the Sons of Pericles, for guiding Greek-American youth
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  Nikos Paschalis – Co-founder of AVRA Estiatorio, for promoting Greek cuisine on an international level

• George Athanasopoulos – President of the Church Council of St. George, for his leadership in the community
• Dr. George Tsioulias – Surgical Oncologist at Mount Sinai, for his innovations in cancer treatment
• Michael Papafotis – IT Professional and AHEPA leader, for his long-standing service to the Greek-American community
• Charles Kapetanakis – Attorney and President of the Hellenic Classical Charter Schools, for his dedication to education and Greek heritage

Also honored were Dr. Elias Iliadis, Ernie Anastos, Fotis Farmakis, Dr. George Dangas, George Siampoulis, Jenny Tsantila, M.Ed., and Dr. Nikolai Markov for their achievements in medicine, media, business, and education.

It’s worth noting that journalist and author Justine Frangouli-Argyri is the first personality from the Canadian diaspora to be honored at HERMES EXPO. As she remarked:
"Receiving the ATHENA Award—the first ever given to someone from the Greek-Canadian community—offered me the opportunity to represent Hellenism in Canada. It places upon me the great political responsibility to highlight the Greek presence in my second homeland.
The Hellenism of the Canadian diaspora is dynamic, worthy, and a vital part of the North American community. It has proudly fought for over two centuries to keep alive its faith and commitment to Greek ideals and Orthodox worship.
I hope this award will serve as the spark for closer collaboration and interaction between the Greek-Canadian and Greek-American communities in these difficult times when our Greek identity needs to be stronger and brighter.”