In 2022, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Centers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) initiated a collaboration with the Cultural Society of Geraki to investigate and relate the story of the history of weaving in Geraki. This project is supported by Gefyra, a UCLA/SFU collaboration funded by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The project examines historical and contemporary weaving traditions through oral histories and the examination of 17th to 21st century woven kilims and tagaria and ancient and medieval weaving practices through the study of archaeological finds from the village’s ancient acropolis and medieval kastro.
With the assistance of village residents, this project also collects and experiments with local plants used for dyes. The goal of the project is to shed light on Geraki’s history of weaving in order to safeguard the village’s cultural heritage and to stimulate interest in the preservation of this traditional craft practice. The study of Geraki’s woven history brings together important aspects of the village’s past, which include significant ancient remains as well as Byzantine monuments of exceptional importance. This project supports the goal of the Cultural Society of Geraki in promoting the teaching of weaving to the next generation and shining a light on this important tradition in order to encourage tourism and foster pride in the village’s cultural offerings.
The goals of the Cultural Society of Geraki, founded in 2009, are the cultural and social promotion of the village and the preservation of Geraki’s rich historical and cultural heritage. Under the auspices of the Society are the rich collections of the Library, the local newspaper “To Geraki,” Book Club and Literary Events, Cultural – Educational Walks, Music Evenings, and guided tours to the village’s archaeological sites and Byzantine churches.
In June 2022, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) provided foundational support to the UCLA SNF Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture and the SNF Centre for Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University to establish Gefyra (Bridge), a collaborative program intended to enhance academic mobility across the West Coast and from the West Coast to Greece. Gefyra supports students, faculty, visiting scholars, and artists who are interested in broad and creative approaches to Greek culture and knowledge production. The program also provides funding for academic conferences and cultural works that bridge the West Coast and Greece.