submitted by Kytherian World Heritage Fund on 24.10.2010
Author: Jim Saltis When Published: 2009 Publisher: Kytherian World Heritage Fund Price: $25 Available: Jim Saltis Ph. 93999767, and Email Jim Saltis and Kytherian Association Email KAA Description: The English translation of ΤΑ ΤΕΣΣΕΡΑ ΣΠΙΤΙΑ. ΜΥ FOUR HOMES Download an interview with Jim Saltis on SBS Radio, Australia, here: jim-saltis.mp3 Jims speech at the Book Launch Background, and an appraisal, by George C Poulos Being a “baby boomer”, and eldest child of Kytherian-Greek immigrants to Australia, from the 1950’s, I grew up as a Greek-Australian “café kid”. I share “café kid” experiences with thousands of others from my generation; standing up on a banana box to receive money for fruit, vegetables, chocolates, milk shakes, lollies, from customers, making orange “squash” (juice) from fresh oranges, arranging apples in “artistic” stacks, washing potatoes in large tubs, working late to help serve the audiences that exited the next door cinema, who feeling a bit “peckish”, wanted to make a late night “snack” purchase. Weekends spent working in the shop, whilst the Australian children played sport. Trying desperately to disown my “wog” heritage, so that I could more readily “fit into” Anglo-Australian culture. You could fill a book with “café kid” experiences. . But what knowledge could I have about the experiences of previous generations of Greeks and Kytherians, who lived a very different life, in various, very different countries? How did the Kytherians and Greeks who had emigrated to Smyrna and other parts of Turkey live, in the period from the 19th century, to 1922? How did the Kytherians and Greeks who had immigrated to various parts of Egypt, including “Hellenic” enclaves in cities such as Alexandria live, in the period to 1956? Jim Saltis has “filled a book”, book, My Four Homes, with Alexandrian experiences. This constitutes a very significant achievement. Jim manages to convey, in a deeply evocative way, how a Kytherian-Greek-Egyptian lived in Alexandria, in the 1930’s, and 40’s. What was it like growing up in an Arabic milieu? What was the look, and “feel” and smell of Alexandria? How well did the various “foreign” children intermingle. What was it like going to school there? What was it like travelling around the city, and going to the shops, and the cinemas? What was the relationship between the various families? What were some of the life stories of persons from these families? What kinds of houses did Greeks live in? What was the standard of living? What if, like Jim’s father, the Greeks were employed in occupations that were seasonal, or dependent on the patronage of English garrisons? What if, at times, there was not enough food on the table? What were frequent visits back to Kythera like for Jim and his young siblings? What did Kythera seem like through the eyes of a young Kytherian-Greek-Egyptian? How did the contrast between the two cultures, the Greek and the Egyptian, influence Jim’s reaction to Kythera? Why did his grandfather seem to act in such strange ways towards him? I could go on asking these question, but if I do, I will spoil your enjoyment of Jim’s story. The important thing is that Jim has managed to commit his story to the written word, and hence managed to achieve a number of important things. He has managed to preserve his experiences for posterity, and for the enjoyment of future generations. He has managed to communicate his experience. Now a “café kid” can understand; can “know”, what a “Alex” kid “went through”, and the 3GG kids, (third generation Greeks), the next generation, will have access to this knowledge as well. Greeks, particularly Greeks of the diaspora, must continue to chronicle their experiences and their stories. When “Greek” stories are retained, explained, and maintained, the Hellenic spirit is regained. That is why when the opportunity arose to print and publish an English version of Jim’s story, my fellow Trustee of the Kytherian World Heritage Fund, Angelo Notaras, and I, rushed in to help foster, finance, and promote the book. Congratulations Jim, on a story well told. I hope that your efforts encourage other members of your generation, whatever their life circumstances, to chronicle their experiences and their stories. It is so important. George C Poulos Trustee, Kytherian World Heritage Fund Public Relations Officer, Kytherian Association of Australia Editor, www.kythera-family.net
submitted by Anna Arsenis on 01.03.2011
I wish to thank Mr Jim Saltis for giving me the opportunity to design the book. My first encounter with Mr Saltis' work was reading the Greek version. I was delighted to read about a unique and sentimental journey. Something we all go through in our lives. Unfortunately, not many of us have the 'talent' to describe our deepest thoughts and emotions. At first I was a bit puzzled by the title. Τα Τεσερα Σπιτια. I just had to find out what it was about! My curiosity lead me to read the book in the course of just one night. It was dawn when I reached the final page.... "I think with my heart and cry with my brain. And bitter tears roll down my wrinkled face, drop, and water the bitter laurel and mint. I don't hear inside me the rummaging sounds that the body makes, when it weaves the spring.... ...No, I have no objection; I don't want to change anything. Insallah, as the Egyptians say. God willing, as the Greeks say". Thank you Mr Saltis for the wonderful journey you took me on, through your book. Thank you for sharing with us, your life, your thoughts, your emotion.
Dear Kythera Family, I am researching Rosa Antonia Cassimatis extended family. Rosa is the mother of Lafcadio...
Hi There, I am looking for information on my great grandfather John Nicholas Caroonarus Bavea (Jack...
The nickname “Kaponas” is often found appended to the family name of the Megalokonomos family of Agia Pelagia. The followng...
Hi demetrius was my family. He moved to the uk, married and his daughter is the mother...
About 5 minutes into the program Ada Margariti, who is an Attorney at Law, speaks about how she came to...
Interviewed during his visit to Australia, 2013.
August 17, 2010 103.2 HOPE - radio station You’ve heard of PhDs in science, medicine and education but have you...
Brisbane kytherians at paliochora excursion ..exploring the wonderful site and seeing all the churches .. this one is called ' e...
Gorgeous Ruby! Ruby's father was Evangelo Megaloconomos born 7 September 1891, died 29 January 1983 Ruby was born 16 September...
16.05.2023 (Message Board)
09.04.2023 (Message Board)
01.04.2023 (Message Board)
I am looking for any information about my grandparents Nicholas (born 1878) and Elessa (born 1880) Feros...