Story City

Description

In 2017 Vancouver Public library launched Story City, a collection of stories unique to our city and as rich as any book on our shelves. With funding from the City of Vancouver and the Government of Canada, through the Canada 150 Fund, the Story City project took staff with digital recorders to Indigenous arts festivals, local SLAM poetry haunts, favourite French language cafés, and a host of community spaces to map out the cultural life of Vancouver as told by its residents.

Over 400 people shared their unique memories of the unceded Coast Salish territory that has become the City of Vancouver. These stories showcase the depth and variety of the thoughts, opinions and experiences of our communities.

Pages

Title: 1946 Earthquake - Interview with Wayne Gatley
Description: Wayne recalls the 1946 earthquake, one of his earliest memories.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: 1960s Teen Hot Spots - Interview with Ron Pollock
Description: Ron talks about visiting folk clubs in Downtown Vancouver as a teenager in the 1960s - his introduction to the "cool scene."
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: 2010 Winter Olympics - Interview with Maria Fiskilis, George Ghiouzelis, and Speros Ganatsios
Description: Maria Fiskilis, George Ghiouzelis, and Speros Ganatsios discuss their favourite experiences of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: 29th Avenue - Interview with Faye Lum
Description: Faye Lum's interest in her neighbourhood led her to learn about the history of one of its streets.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: About East Vancouver - Interview with Hilda Castillo
Description: Hilda Castillo shares her insights into her Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: About Tatlow Park - Interview with Joan Cubbon
Description: Joan talks about what she likes about Kitsilano (pool, park and beach) and shares a project to restore a stream in Tatlow Park.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Adapting to Canada - Interview with Ms. Joe
Description: Ms. Joe talks about being discouraged from carrying her children on her back in Canada, and her willingness to adapt to her new environment. Interview conducted in Cantonese. Video slideshow includes English subtitles.
Type of Resource(s): moving image
Title: Admiring Diversity - Interview with Gayle Ball-Parker and Erroll Parker
Description: Visitors Gayle Ball-Parker and Erroll Parker talk about how their visit changed their perception of diversity in Western Canada.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: An Agricultural Neighbourhood - Interview with Rita MacKay
Description: Rita MacKay grew up in the South Cambie area, and lives there still. The rural nature of the area from her 1930s childhood would not be recognized today.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Al Jamia Masjid Mosque - Interview with Ihsan Malik
Description: Ihsan Malik describes the first mosque in Western Canada and its significance.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: All the Children Loved Me! - Interview with Gloria Rodriguez
Description: Gloria talks about arriving in Vancouver in the 1970s, her love for working with her kids at Van Horne Elementary school and how the cold makes her feel at home.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Andre Demiris and Mr. Giftonikolios
Description: My dad Andre Demiris and Mr. Giftonikolios (who was a “Psalti” at church) in our deli, “University Delicatessen” which was later converted to our restaurant, Vassilis Taverna. Looks like my dad just got a delivery.
Type of Resource(s): still image
Title: Annual Riley Park Block Party - Interview with Brenda Martens
Description: Brenda talks about her local block party, an annual potluck get-together with neighbours.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Appreciating Still Creek - Interview with Emily Chan
Description: Emily talks about the history of Still Creek and the efforts by the Still Moon Arts Society volunteers to help clean the creek of garbage and to revitalize the habitat around it.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Around Oakridge - Interview with Perry Seidelman
Description: Perry Seidelman has lived in the Oakridge area since he was a child. He shares his thoughts and memories of the area and his community.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical
Title: Arriving in Vancouver - Interview with Andrea Berneckas
Description: Andrea talks about her adventurous arrival in British Columbia.
Type of Resource(s): sound recording-nonmusical

Pages