European immigrants who came to Halifax after WWII return 75 years later – Halifax | 24CA News

Seventy-five years in the past, Matija Sedej and Henrik Ziernfield felt the breeze of the Halifax Harbour for the primary time.

The two had been passengers on a cargo ship titled the SS Marine Jumper which fled a European continent coping with the aftermath of the Second World War and arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax on May 19, 1948. The ship initially departed 10 days earlier on May 9 from Bremerhaven, Germany.

On Friday, they returned to Pier 21 in Halifax to commemorate the anniversary.

Ninety-two-year-old Matija Sedej mentioned he left communist Yugoslavia as a result of there was “no future” on the time. He launched into a voyage throughout the Atlantic Ocean towards Canada to pursue work alternatives.

“They gave us a chance to come work here (Canada) … it was supposed to be a one-year contract, but I only worked five months on the railway and then we went to the lumber camp up in Thunder Bay,” he mentioned.

Sedej mentioned he continued to work in lumber camps for the subsequent few months earlier than settling in Toronto. He mentioned the handbook labour was “no problem” for him, as he was accustomed to physically-demanding work resulting from his expertise as a farmer again in his dwelling nation.

Ninety-seven-year-old Henrik Ziernfeld mentioned he thought Canada was a “wonderful country” upon his arrival.

“Canada was the first county that actually allowed immigrants from Europe to Canada,” he mentioned.

The two Slovenians met via working collectively in Toronto.

Ziernfeld described his departure throughout the pond from Germany within the late Nineteen Forties as “quite adventurous,” because the crew confronted numerous challenges alongside the best way together with dangerous climate circumstances and sick passengers.

“In the beginning, there was nice weather but once we reached the middle of the Atlantic, a big storm turned out,” he continued. “They (the waves) had been like two-storey homes … after which the entire ship began to vibrate.

“I remember when we first came to Halifax it was very foggy, the ship couldn’t land, so we had to stay out of the harbour for a few kilometres until the next day.”

Marta Demsar, the daughter of one other European who voyaged on the 10-day journey throughout the Atlantic alongside Zienfeld and Sedej, organized the journey to the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 for the group of Slovenian Canadians. She mentioned that she had so many questions on her father’s journey to Canada since he handed whereas she was an adolescent.

“That feeling has always stayed with me, that I need to find out more,” she mentioned.

Demsar mentioned along with herself and the 2 males, additionally current had been two ladies who arrived in 1954 and two daughters of different individuals who arrived on the SS Marine Jumper. She mentioned it’s “so important” to commemorate the anniversary of this present day as a result of Canada gave her father freedom.

“It gave them a new life; it was something they wanted to do, to accomplish with hard work,” she mentioned.

“I just want to share this story with the other 40,000 Slovenians in Canada, because for most of us, this is the story of our heritage. Most of our parents arrived here from 1947 onwards.”

Ziernfeld mentioned the sensation of freedom upon coming into Canada is probably the most nice reminiscence from his journey.

“In Europe, we were always afraid that we might be sent back to Yugoslavia, which is a communist country,” he continued, “and you know what happens, people were badly treated and massacred.

“In Canada, we started a new life.”

Sedej mentioned the individuals who arrived from the ship 75 years in the past have continued to develop a affluent group in Toronto all through the years.

“We built two churches, an old age home, we had farms, holiday facilities, and camps — we have about three around Toronto,” he mentioned. “A very successful community.”

Sedej mentioned his recollections from 75 years in the past appear extra vivid throughout his return to Halifax.

“I feel lucky that I’m here and thankful,” Sedej mentioned.

— with information from Megan King

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