Women’s Weaving Collective Project, Geraki, Laconia
The Centers at UCLA and SFU have initiated an important collaboration with the Women’s Weaving Collective in Geraki, Laconia, helping the Cultural Committee of Geraki and weavers in the town to catalog their historical woven textiles and identify local plants that were used for dyes. Beyond this, we are investigating ancient and medieval weaving practices in this settlement, where hundreds of loom weights have been uncovered in local excavations. We hope to introduce patterns for weaving drawn from the exceptional ornamental repertoire found in Byzantine churches in Geraki.
Read more about the journey here:
Day 1 Update: Journey into the World of Geraki Weavers
Day 2 Update: Empowering Women through Weaving
Day 3 Update: Fotis Kontoglou’s Connection to the Village of Geraki’s Artistic Heritage
Day 4 Update: The Link Between Ornamental Designs in Byzantine Churches and Geraki Weavings
Day 5 Update: Embarking on the Practice of Kilim Weaving in Geraki
Day 6 Update: And they rested.
Day 7 Update: Writing Commences Amidst Unexpected Rainstorms
Day 9 Update: Gathering Plants for Natural Dyes
Day 10 Update: A Colorful Day of Wool Dyeing
Day 11 Update: Writing Persists Amidst Torrential Downpour
Day 12 Update: Trip to the Monastery of Profitis Elias
Day 13 Update: Trip to Mystras
Day 14 Update: Vamvakou and Wrapping up Activities
Day 15 Update: Site Visits and Cataloguing of Kilims