Please join us for an exciting lecture, a weaving demo, an exhibition of works of our grandmothers, a walk through history, a glimpse into the future, and even a savory bite to eat.
Professor Sharon Gerstel, director of the UCLA SNF Hellenic Center and George P. Kolovos Family Centennial Term Chair in Hellenic Studies, will discuss the work of the Center in Los Angeles and Greece, focusing especially on a large-scale, multi-year project about weaving in the village of Geraki, Lakonia. This project, sponsored by Gefyra, forms the basis of an upcoming exhibition at the Benaki Museum and a comprehensive catalog in both Greek and English.
In an open and wide-ranging discussion, Professor Gerstel will also present upcoming programming for the Center and discuss the Center’s mission and plans for the future. Joining Professor Gerstel will be Mrs. Chrysoula Stamatopoulou, lead weaving instructor in Geraki, who will also discuss the village’s weaving tradition, which began in the ancient period and is still active today. Mrs. Stamatopoulou will demonstrate weaving on the vertical loom for those attending.
Accompanying this event will be an exhibition of family heirlooms by the Greek Heritage Society. GHS is looking for members of the Greek community of Los Angeles to share heirlooms that have come from Greece and have been passed down to children, grandchildren, and other relatives. Click here to see detailed instructions for submissions.
This event, co-sponsored by Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, is held under the auspices of the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles and made possible thanks to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
The catalogue, Weaving Dreams: Kilims from Geraki, Laconia will be made available for sale soon (link)