On Thursday, April 3, 2025, the Maliotis Cultural Center opened its newest permanent exhibition: “Hellenic Beauty,” celebrating the rich heritage and enduring beauty of Greek culture through an extraordinary exhibition of Greek dolls in 20th century traditional folk dress.
The event featured remarks from the exhibition’s curator and distinguished academic scholar, the former Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hellenic College Holy Cross, Dr. Diana Demetrulias, who generously donated a collection of 46 Greek dolls to the Maliotis Cultural Center, bringing these cultural treasures to life for generations to come.
Dr. Demetrulias is an active scholar with 60 refereed publications. She received eleven funded grants including a prestigious National Endowment of the Humanities grant. Funded by the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation, New York, she was awarded a grant for “Greeks in the Diaspora” that supported lectures by Richard Clogg, Oxford University scholar, for the purpose of expanding the American public’s knowledge of Hellenic civilization and Greece’s history, culture, and artistic accomplishments. She also received several grants from the California Arts Council. These grants funded Greek cultural exhibits in regional museums, Greek folk dance clinics and performances, and ethnographic oral history research. Dr. Demetrulias’s artistic accomplishments collectively demonstrate the courage, strength, and enduring Orthodox faith of Greek immigrants and their descendants in America.
Dr. Demetrulias immersed the audience in the fascinating world of Greek folk dress, offering insights into its significance, craftsmanship, and the cultural stories it represents. Following the presentation by Dr. Diana, Dr. John Pappas, the Director of the Metropolis of Boston Greek Dance Program showcases several Greek folk dances from Megara, a “Ludovikos” male dance, a couples dance from Megara, followed by “Tsakonikos,” a labyrinthine Peleponessian dance, and ending with Tsamiko and Kalamatianio dances.
Following the lecture which was live streamed on the MCC Youtube channel, there were two children’s crafting activities with Greek paper dolls in traditional dress, and refreshments and discussion with Dr. Diana as attendees mingled among the exhibition’s collection of dolls. Also in attendance was the former president of Hellenic College-Holy Cross, George Cantonis, the chaplain of Holy Cross and professor of Canon Law, V. Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Mercado, the dean of Hellenic College, Dr. Nicholas Ganson, and other HCHC faculty members, many supporters of Greek folk culture, and many Greek youth.
Photos: Maliotis Cultural Center.
Source: Orthodox Observer
