Greece is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. This is a stark contrast to the relatively flat geography of the San Fernando Valley.
But there is a substantial Greek population in the Valley, as will be showcased by the 49th annual Greek Festival, which is scheduled for this Memorial Day weekend at Saint Nicholas Orthodox Greek Church in Northridge.
This festival is a celebration of Greek history and culture brought to the Valley.
Los Angeles County has a long history of Greek immigration.
According to the Cathedral of Saint Sophia Los Angeles, the largest immigration happened between 1900 and 1930 with more than 350,000 Greeks coming to the United States. The 1930 California Census listed more than 10,000 Greeks in the state and a little less than 6,000 in Los Angeles alone.
The original influx of Greek immigration can be loosely connected to the first and second Balkan Wars, an economic crisis and involvement in World War I. These conflicts likely drove out many native Greeks in search of a safer life in the United States.
The Los Angeles Gas and Electric Company was a major employer to early Greeks in California. At the time, most Greeks who came to America were men, and they were hired to dig ditches and lay lines across the area.
The next large influx of Greek immigration started around 1945, most likely due to involvement in World War II and the Greek Civil War.
According to data from the 2013-2018 American Communities Survey, California’s Greek population has increased to more than 135,000, making it the second largest state population in the country, behind New York. The data also shows a population of close to 29,000 in Los Angeles County.
More recent data shows more growth in this community. According to an article by Eric Brightwell that explores the Greek population in L.A., the 2020 American Community Survey showed a near 20,000-person increase at 52,000 Greek Angelenos.
As the Greek population has increased throughout the years, it is important to learn about the history and culture of these people, and attending the 49th annual Greek Festival is one way to do that.
