Tour of Weaving Dreams: Kilims from Geraki, Laconia at the Ghika Gallery of the Benaki Museum

Step into the world of Weaving Dreams: Kilims of Geraki, Laconia at the Benaki Museum’s Ghika Gallery (3 Kriezotou Street, Kolonaki), where the vibrant spirit of Geraki—a picturesque village nestled in the foothills of Mount Parnon—comes alive. This exhibition, the result of an SNF-supported initiative, brings together a dazzling array of colorful kilims and shoulder bags crafted using the ancient technique of weaving on the vertical loom still practiced and taught in Geraki today. Guided by the exhibition’s co-curator, visitors embark on a journey through centuries of weaving tradition, discovering the hidden meanings woven into each motif and the deep ties between weaving and the milestones of village life. Each piece, adorned with lively depictions of villagers and the land’s abundance, captures both the hopes and heartaches of its creator. The tour reveals the personal stories behind select kilims, weaving them into the broader tapestry of Greece’s history, particularly of the late 19th and early 20th century.