The Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Municipality of Athens in the context of the festive events “Christmas in Athens” of the Municipality of Athens, presents until Sunday, January 9, 2022 at the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Chatzimichali” of Athens Municipality the exhibitions “The calligraphic bedclothes Paleochori, Halkidiki “and the” Tree of Freedom “, strengthening the tradition of the holidays with elements of Greek folklore and the Revolution.

In the exhibition “The Calligraphic Bedclothes of Paleochori, Halkidiki”
are presented handmade textiles from the region of northern Halkidiki, where the weaving art of the so-called calligraphic carpets was developed, with the ornate roses having a special feature in their decoration.

Specifically, about twenty (20) bedding rugs are on display from the area, most of which belong to the collection of the Holy Temple of the Greatest Brigadiers of Paleochori, Halkidiki, while others come from women’s dowries, which are kept with special care. of cultural heritage.

The purpose of the exhibition is to promote and highlight the weavers and their decorative elements from the Macedonian folk tradition, which made Arnaia known as a center of weaving art throughout Greece.

Angeliki Chatzimichali in 1925 wrote:
“Our folk art is one of the genuine manifestations of the soul of the people, the solid foundation of every modern Greek artistic creation”

This solid foundation of artistic creation includes “the calligraphic layers of Paleochori, Halkidiki” as an element of the collective identity of their place, in the context of the tradition and promotion of all its manifestations. The image of blooming roses, which dominates them, clearly emits the ambiguous symbolism of the joy of life with flowers and sorrow with thorns.

The exhibition is held with the kind support of the Hellenic Folklore Research Center of the Academy of Athens.

Along with the exhibition “The calligraphic layers of Paleochori, Halkidiki”, is exhibited in a separate section, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, “The Tree of Freedom”, which is decorated with ceramic works, designed and created by the groups of the ceramics workshop of the Clay Center of OPANDA, in shapes and colors that refer to the Greek revolution (tsarouchakia, Greek flags, girls and boys in traditional costumes, weapons, swords, etc.).
Also, creations of ceramic works are presented, which are related to both the Greek revolution and the Christmas spirit of the day, such as angels with wings, birds hovering in space and doves of peace in traditional architecture doves.

Exhibition curator: Stavroula Pisimisi, folklorist of the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Chatzimichali” of the Municipality of Athens.

During the exhibitions there will be educational programs and Christmas activities for young and old, as well as online Christmas programs for the whole family. Analytically:

Thursday 23 December 2021 and Wednesday 29 December 2021 | 11.30 | A different Christmas tree
Educational program with a construction workshop for children aged 8 to 12 years.
What can a different Christmas tree have to do with the tree of freedom? How much common will we discover by observing their ornaments?
* Registrations: 210 3243972, 210 3243987 (Monday – Friday, 11.00 – 15.00)
Maximum number of participants: 20

Wednesday 29 December 2021 17.30 | Guided tour of the Christmas atmosphere of the Chatzimichalis Mansion with the customs of the Twelfth Day.
* Registrations: 210 3243972, 210 3243987 (Monday – Friday, 11.00 – 15.00)
Maximum number of participants: 20

Sunday 2 January | 12.00 | The tree of wishes
Multidimensional Christmas workshop, which combines storytelling, theatrical play, music, dance and visual arts, by the group Forms of Expression.
For children aged 4 to 8 years.
* Reservations: 210 3243972, 210 3243987 (Monday – Friday, 11.00-15.00)

Tuesday 4 January 2022
11.30 | The goblins and the magic tree of the world
Educational program with a construction workshop for children aged 8 to 12 years.
* Registrations: 210 3243972, 210 3243987 (Monday – Friday, 11.00 – 15.00)
Maximum number of participants: 20

Online Christmas programs:
Stories of Christmas and New Year tales
Video recordings against the background of the museum space of the Hatzimichalis mansion
The custom of the Zakynthian bun
A videotaped representation of the Zakynthian custom with a narration in the museum, where the Hatzimichalis family revived on Christmas Eve in the dining room of their mansion, where they gathered inviting relatives and distinguished friends.