Karavakia
Greektown is welcoming the holiday season with a festive display of vibrant holiday décor! Halsted Street is glowing with cheerful blue and white lights (the colors of the Greek flag), and our beloved Holiday Karavákia Display returns November 22nd through January 7th.
In Greece, decorating karavákia (little boats) is a cherished Christmas tradition, with boats adorned with paint, lights, and other festive touches. The Greektown Arts Committee brings this special tradition to life right here in Chicago’s Greektown by inviting more than 30 local artists to transform miniature boat models into unique works of art. These beautiful creations are then shared with neighborhood businesses, who display one or two karavákia in their windows or other prominent locations for everyone to enjoy throughout the holiday season.
We’ll also be featuring a larger karaváki, painted by distinguished artist James Mesple, near the temple at Elysian Field (southeast corner of Halsted and Van Buren Streets), alongside the location of our annual holiday tree.
Karavákia artists include: Christina Angelos, Dino and Mark Crisanti, Jennifer Cronin, Alexandra Damato, Louis DeMarco, Marcelo Elli, Panos Fiorentios, Dustin Harris, Connie Hinkle, Ken Hirte, David Holt, Malika Jackson, Tyrue “Slang” Jones, Mariana Karampelas, Kathleen King, Bonnie Loboda, Chris Loutris, Victoria Martin, James Mesple, Katie Meuser, Eve Moran, Andy Morreale, Tracey Ostmann, Patricia Owsiany, Terry Poulos, Fernando Ramirez, Rachel Rosenfeld, Sheri Smith, Leo Talaganis, Vicky Tesmer, Diane Thodos, Michael Thompson, Vasiliki Valkanas, Chuck Walker, Alex White, Kiki Whitehead, Rebecca Zaragoza, and Holy Apostles Greek School students.
The origin of the karavákia tradition
The Greek people have always had a deep connection with the sea. From ancient times, the waters that surround Greece were an important source of livelihood. But the seas are treacherous, and as sailors went out, their families prayed for their safe return. Many also crafted beautiful little boats in these periods of absence and to celebrate the sailor’s return. During the Christmas season, children carried these karavákia while caroling door-to-door and often received sweets for their efforts. One legend has it that Saint Nicholas (the patron saint of sailors) played an important part in the karavákia story. The feast day of St. Nicholas is celebrated on December 6, with great festivity and at a time when many preparations are beginning for Christmas. Hence, decorating karavákia was a way for the Greeks to honor St. Nicholas for bringing sailors safely home for the holidays.
Visit Greektown Chicago and enjoy the Holiday Karavákia Display that combines modern-day art with homeland traditions. This vibrant art display celebrating the holiday season is sponsored by Greektown SSA#16.
