In Search of a Modern Greek Identity: The Contribution of Monuments

After the success of two prior events exploring lessons from history and geopolitics in the formation of modern Greek identity, SPGH presents the third event of its 1821–2021 series in which we explore the continuity of Greek identity in the legacy and enduring role of ancient, medieval and modern monuments. Sharon Gerstel discussed her long-term project concerning the restoration of an 11th-century village church in Vamvaka, Mani. The study of the church presents a fascinating history that starts in the ancient world and ends in the present day. What does this church mean to a community over time, and how do we, as modern visitors, encounter and appreciate such buildings, which are frequently locked? Are they relics of the past, or do they hold some greater meaning for our understanding of Greek culture and identity through the ages? Sharon E. J. Gerstel is Director of the UCLA Stavros Niarchos Foundation Center for the Study of Hellenic Culture, Professor of Byzantine Art and Archaeology in the Department of Art History at UCLA, and the George P. Kolovos Family Centennial Term Chair in Hellenic Studies. Trained in art history, religious studies, and archaeology, Gerstel's work investigates ritual, art, and material culture as well as acoustics and cultural heritage. As an archaeologist, she has been involved in numerous excavations in Greece. Her ongoing research focuses on acoustics, architectural design, and chant in medieval churches. For her contributions to the promotion of Hellenic Culture, she has been named a Commander of the Order of the Phoenix, one of Greece's highest honors, and has also been naturalized as a Greek citizen.