My dad, Steve Papulkas, comes from a small village in Greece called Ethniko. Throughout the 1900’s a number of the Papulkas families moved from the village to the “new worlds” for better opportunities, which included Canada and Australia.
One Papoulkas family however, moved to Germany. So, while we have been overseas we were able to visit our cousins Alexis in Hamburg and Antigone in Dresden. Their parents, Soto and Gisela alternate living between an island villa in Salamina, Greece and Essen, Germany.
After our wonderful stay in Divonne les Bains we went for a visit to Essen, Germany so we could visit and spend some time together.
My aunt and uncle are very energetic and exciting people who love to travel and are big supporters of the Arts. My uncle was an opera singer for over 40 years and performed internationally. He is a tenor and some of his favourites operas are Manon, The Magic Flute, Cosi fan Tutte, and Barber of Seville to name a few.
Back in the 80’s, they made a visit to Canada and did a performance at the Saint Lawrence Centre in Toronto. I still remember all the excitement leading up to his performance – he has an incredible voice as well as fabulous stage presence. I only wish I could have seen him perform in one of his favourite operas in Germany – that would have been a treat!
The family lived in Munich for 20 years and then moved to Essen where my uncle was hired as a professor of music at the university. It wasn’t long after that he was also hired by the university in Thessaloniki, Greece to start a music department. For over 20 years he alternated flying between the German (Tues-Thurs) and Greek universities (Fri –Mon). He retired a few years ago and still has students he supervises who are completing their PhDs. He also continues to teach opera to certain students. One of his students, Dimitri, lives at the house as he pursues his musical dreams.
My aunt Gisela is an incredible lady who fluently speaks German, English, Greek, French, Spanish and more. She acts as a translator for everyone. She is also a great manager who organizes all the events, makes sure everyone is on time and where they are supposed to be. Of course, she makes sure we are all well fed! She’s an incredible cook and baker. All of us gained some kilos after eating her delicious meals and desserts!
It was so nice to spend time together and catch up on family. We just wished they lived closer to us so we could visit more regularly. The next few days together are sure to be exciting ones for all of us!
Front row: Zoe, Mikhaila and cousin Sophia
Comments
4 responses to “We Are Family!”
Well, Katina, you don’t know it but you and your family have become local ‘heros” here where I am currently staying in Florida. I share your stories and your recipes and folks here are very impressed with what you guys are doing. Personally I cannot get over how thoroughly you planned this so that you follow the sun and meet up with family and friends. The knowledge that you have given your girls re computers etc is amazing. I look forward to all of your blogs every day.
Hi Herta,
To be honest, we aren’t as well planned as you think! We just have flexibility and are willing to move around to make things happen. When we planned our trip, we had our “must see” locations but we built in lots of time so that we could enjoy the experiences and make changes as needed. As for the girls and homeschooling, the technology has made it so easy to keep them creating and publishing their writing on a regular basis. They are certainly motivated when they are able to write about such fabulous places! We’re glad you like our posts – we enjoy writing them!
Cheers,
Kat:)
Katina you are so right when you speak so lovingly about Soto and Gisela as the amazing talented people they are! Soto has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard and Gisela has the gift of languages. If I remember correctly in her career as a translator she spoke at least 7 languages.
It was such a wonderful experience when they came to Canada. Soto’s performance was outstanding! He had several standing ovations, and St. Lawrence Centre for The Arts were really impressed with his performance! I remember the post performance party which was held at Christinas on the Danforth and how his high school choir friends from Florinis, Greece serenaded him!
It brought tears to my eyes, to see how his high school friends remembered their singing friend who went on to become a “star”
internationally!
Gisela and Soto are very warm and gracious people who bring out the very best in all those who meet them. All the relatives in Canada and Australia love and admire them dearly!
HI Mom,
We’re glad we had the opportunity to meet up with them. They are a fabulous couple who know how to live! They are very inspiring and fun people. You and dad should visit with them!
Love,
Kat:)