Weaving Community: A Presentation of the UCLA SNF Hellenic Center’s Work in Greece and Los Angeles

Lecture by

Professor Sharon Gerstel
Director, UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture

September 29, 2024
2:00 PM

The Wilson-Hanks Family Cultural Center,
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Reception to follow

Introductory remarks by The Honorable Christina Valassopoulou, Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles

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. For their exhibition, the 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. They are particularly interested in woven items, but other handicrafts, such as embroidery can be shared. If you are interested in taking part in the event, please contact Bessie Karras-Lazaris, President of the Greek Heritage Society at greekheritage@hotmail.com. Under the email subject heading “Heirloom Project,” please provide your name, contact information, and a brief description of the item(s) you would like to share. If selected, you will be asked to write a longer description per guidelines that the GHS will provide along with your items on the day of the event. At the exhibition, you will have the opportunity to talk to members of the community and give some insight into the history and significance of your heirlooms.

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.

In case you missed it, please view the video of the presentation below:

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 here: https://hellenic.ucla.edu/weaving-dreams/