Christmas Pavuk Workshop

The Indianapolis Latvian Community Center is hosting a Christmas Pavuk Workshop on Saturday, November 7, with two sessions to choose from: one at 10 AM and another at 1 PM. Each one runs for two hours, so you can pick the time that fits your day best. The workshop is held at the center's Hoover Crest location in Indianapolis.

A Pavuk is a traditional Ukrainian straw mobile—an intricate, geometric construction with a long history. Over the course of the session, you'll learn how to build one from scratch, and the instructor will walk you through the meaning behind the craft. You'll also get a look at how the Pavuk fits into a wider family of similar traditions across Slavic and Baltic cultures: the Polish Pajak, the Latvian Puzurs, the Lithuanian Sodas, and the Finnish Himmeli. It's a nice way to see how one basic idea—straw woven into a hanging sculpture—shows up in different languages and countries.

On the practical side, you'll be working with large upholstery needles and scissors. The process takes a fair amount of dexterity and fine motor skills, so it's more of a focused craft than a casual drop-in. By the end, everyone leaves with a finished Pavuk and the hardware to hang it, plus a recycled box to carry it home safely. Once the work is done, tea and light refreshments are served at the end of each session.

If you're a member of the Ukrainian Society of Indiana, check your email for a member discount. Otherwise, it's two sessions on Saturday, November 7, at 10 AM and 1 PM, both at the Indianapolis Latvian Community Center in Hoover Crest.