Page 52 - Bulletin 12 2008

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1923 peace treaty, there was a population exchange between Greece and Turkey, with a few
exceptions. This did not affect Northern Epirots directly, but had a major effect on Greece.

It was during these turbulent times that my grandparents married, as did my grandfather’s

great friend Stephanos Hartziavalos. (Figs. 2.27 – 2.29). Traditionally, the marriages were

arranged and the couples often married very young – as my grandparents did.

The shifting of borders, occupation and re-occupation, could not have made for reliable law
and order. My great-grandfather’s mules were abducted by Albanian brigands many times.

My grandmother’s family were feared war heroes. The idea was the brigands would leave
my grandfather’s (Bassios) family alone out of fear of my grandmother’s family (Kolovos).

It seems like a Mafia type system operated. Aside from the lawlessness, my grandfather

saw the advent of coal imports and realized the family charcoal business was threatened.
Life was hard and so there was no choice but to look for work elsewhere. (Fig. 2.30).

There had long been a tradition of going to “The City” (Constantinople) to make money,
but the New World would have seemed like a much better prospect than going to Turkey.

First his younger brother went to USA. But then the USA closed its borders to new Greek
immigrants. My grandfather considered going to the USA in a barrel. However, John

Costas had met my grandmother’s father, Vangelis Kolovos, in the Balkan War and told
him about South Africa and so that was the option they took. (Fig. 2.31).