LOS ANGELES – UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture presents ‘Weaving Community: A Presentation of the UCLA SNF Hellenic Center’s Work in Greece and Los Angeles’ which includes a lecture by Professor Sharon Gerstel, UCLA SNF Center Director and George P. Kolovos Family Centennial Term Chair in Hellenic Studies, on Sunday, September 29, 2 PM, at the Huffington Center at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie Avenue in Los Angeles.

Professor Gerstel will discuss the work of the UCLA SNF Hellenic 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 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. Stamatopoulou will demonstrate weaving on the vertical loom for those attending.

Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles Christina Valassopoulou will give the introductory remarks.

Accompanying this event will be an exhibition of family heirlooms by the Greek Heritage Society (GHS). 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 [email protected]. 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.

A reception will also follow this free event. RSVP online: https://shorturl.at/n4z1h.

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/.