OSLO, Norway – In 2016, they made a decision that would change their lives forever. One year later, in June 2017, Vicky Partafyla-Karasotiriou and Manos Karasotiriou left Thessaloniki behind, sold everything they had, and, together with their children, took the big step of moving to Norway.
Many people know them as the ‘4greeksinthefjords’, under which they share family moments and experiences on social media with their two children, Konstantinos and Lydia, as immigrants in Scandinavia.
The decision was made in 2016, following the birth of their daughter, and they ultimately emigrated in June 2017. “The reasons were mainly the uncertainty about our children’s future, but also the fact that we wanted to have the chance to travel,” the couple acknowledges today, speaking to The National Herald.
“Although we were living a relatively comfortable life with two salaries and a free home provided through my husband’s job at the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, we sold everything and left,” Vicky Partafyla-Karasotiriou said.
Family photograph in Norway. (Photo courtesy of the Karasotiriou family)
Vicky currently works at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo as the person responsible for diplomatic correspondence, because of her previous experience as a guard at the embassy and as a former officer of the Hellenic Police. Manos is currently employed professionally as an electrician at a factory.
“The working environment in Oslo is very good, and we are very satisfied. There is meritocracy, and you quickly distinguish yourself and advance when you are good at your job,” Vicky noted, speaking to TNH.
Asked what the greatest positive surprise and the main challenges that life there held for them were, she again mentioned the working environment and financial compensation. “There is a friendly atmosphere in the workplace, and there is no strict hierarchy. Your employer treats you as an equal and with respect. There are many benefits and forms of leave concerning the children, as well as for you when you become ill,” she said. She added: “The greatest challenge was, of course, the weather conditions, as well as understanding how certain things work here.”
During our conversation, special reference was also made to raising children in the Norwegian environment and the main differences the family has identified in comparison with Greece. “Children in the Norwegian environment grow up amid nature. A Norwegian saying goes, ‘ut på tur, aldri sur,’ which, freely translated, means ‘go out into nature so that you are never angry.’ Norwegians love contact with nature from an early age. They say that they are born with skis on their feet! And the truth is that they learn to ski and skate, as well as how to light a fire and grill sausages, from nursery school! The children return home with muddy clothes that smell of smoke, bright-red cheeks, and enormous smiles, and they tell us about their day. And, of course, they do not have homework or private tutorial classes. These are also the principal differences compared with Greece: contact with nature from an early age, free activities, and the absence of homework and tutorial classes.”
Family photograph in Norway. (Photo courtesy of the Karasotiriou family)
Manos, Vicky, Konstantinos, and Lydia Karasotiriou present these and other aspects of the daily life of a Greek family in Norway through their 4greeksinthefjords profile, which has gained a large following on social media.
Asked how the idea was born and what the public’s response has been, Vicky told TNH: “The idea of creating a social-media profile was born once some of our goals had been achieved. We wanted to show our story to the rest of the world and say, ‘yes, dreams can come true if you want them very much and work for them.’ And perhaps someone might be inspired by our story and a family might be helped.”
She added that, “the public’s response exceeded our expectations. We receive very many positive messages and congratulations for our decision, but also very many negative and malicious messages that, unfortunately, reflect the pathologies of Greek society.”
Despite having emigrated many kilometers away, the family keeps Greece alive in its heart and thoughts – as well as through its contacts and relationships with other Greeks there in Oslo.
Family photograph in Norway. (Photo courtesy of the Karasotiriou family)
“We have contact with members of the Greek community and many friends with whom we now go out quite frequently. Our children attend the Greek School of Oslo – for the learning of Greek as a second language – where Manos was a member of the Board of Directors and responsible for events for two years,” Vicky said.
“What would you advise a Greek who is considering moving to Norway?” TNH asked in conclusion, with the couple explaining: “A Greek who wants to emigrate to Norway must think twice about it. He must weigh the positives and the negatives. Norway is a beautiful country of enormous contrasts. Here you will find fjords and glaciers, you will dance beneath the Northern Lights, and you will find adventure and tranquility – but it is not Greece. We carry Greece within us, and if you are looking to find a ‘little Greece’ in Norway, it would be better not to come.”