Preliminary List of Events for AutumnāWinter 2026-2027
I am happy to announce that starting this autumn I will begin offering in-person events dedicated to the exploration of art, history, religion, and the natural world.
I am planning a series of lectures, guided tours, workshops, and themed gatherings devoted to history, art, archaeology, and nature.
No prior knowledge is expected for any of these events, and participants with any level of familiarity with the topics are invited to attend and to contribute to the discussion. Most of the events are designed for the whole family. I aim to combine educational content with practical or recreational activities, including film screenings, crafts, walks, and museum visits. No special expertise is requiredāonly curiosity and a desire to learn more about the world around us.
Below is a preliminary list of events. Final details, such as the dates, exact schedules, and registration instructions will be posted later.
Reading the Flemish Tapestries
We will take a close look at the imagery of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century tapestries. Some will open windows into the everyday lives of medieval people and animals, while others will challenge us to decipher their complex symbolism and allegories. Be prepared to recall Old Testament figures and their stories!
Museum visit: Visit to the permanent collection of the Legion of Honor.
Hands-on activity: Tapestry-inspired embroidery over photographs taken by participants during a walk in nature to create unique mixed-medial artworks.
Ages: 8 and up.
Medieval Glass
Glass is much more than just window panes. Over the course of two millennia, it served as a material for jewelry, mosaics, vessels, enamels, and stained-glass windows.
We will trace the history of glassmaking from the invention of glassblowing in Roman Syria through its flourishing and decline in medieval Europe, and finally its revival in Renaissance Italy. Along the way, we will explore glass both as a practical material of everyday life and as a medium for some of the greatest masterpieces of decorative art.
Museum visit: Visit to the permanent collection of Legion of Honor
Hands-on activity: Making beaded keychains while hearing a lecture on ancient and medieval mosaics.
Age: 8 and up.
Colosseum: Truths and Myths of Roman Spectacles
What really happened in the Colosseum? Who were the gladiators, and did every fight truly end in death? Why were Romans so fascinated by these gruesome spectacles, and what other forms of entertainment took place in the arena?
This lecture will explore what a typical visit to the Colosseum looked like for an ordinary spectator. We will discuss gladiatorial games in detail, examine common misconceptions about them, and look at other forms of Roman entertainment. Moving forward through history, we will also touch on the persecution of Christians and the gradual replacement of amphitheaters by hippodromes as centers of public spectacle.
Museum visit: Optional visit to the temporary exhibition The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy at the Legion of Honor (through September 20), accompanied by a discussion of the profound cultural influence that the Etruscans had on Roman civilization.
Age: Teenagers and adults; interested younger children.
Late Antique Alexandria: Christians, Jews, and Pagans at the end of an era
We will explore Alexandria in the fourth and fifth centuriesāa city where Greek philosophy, Egyptian traditions, Judaism, and the rapidly developing Christian faith intersected. We will discuss the famous Library and Mouseion of Alexandria, Neoplatonic philosophy, and everyday urban life. Particular attention will be paid to the formation of Christian culture and canon law, as well as the tensions and at times violent conflicts that accompanied these developments.
One of the symbols of this age of transition was Hypatia - a mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher who was tragically murdered by a mob of Christian extremists.
The program is built around a screening and discussion of the film Agora. Before the screening there will be a lecture on the historical background of Hellenistic and Roman Egypt, and afterwards an in-depth discussion of Christian attitudes toward Classical culture, both in the fifth century and today.
Museum visit: Optional visits to the temporary exhibition Treasures of the Pharaohs at the de Young Museum (through January 31) and the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum in San Jose.
Age: Older teenagers and adults; the museum visits are also suitable for younger children.
Celtic Saints
A fascinating journey through the history of the Christianization of Ireland and Scotland through the lens of the Holy Island of Iona. We will learn about the life of Saint Columba and the influence of missionaries like him on the history of the early Medieval British Isles. A key part of the event will be a discussion of these places as they exist today, drawing on my own visits and experiences.
Film component: A screening of The Secret of Kells followed by a discussion of its historical references and artistic choices.
Age: For the whole family.
Victorian Naturalists: When the Study of Nature Became a Popular Passion
The nineteenth century brought not only major scientific discoveries in botany, zoology, geology, and paleontology. It also witnessed an extraordinary flowering of public interest in the natural world, transforming science from a purely academic pursuit into a widespread cultural phenomenon.
Particular attention will be given to the ways in which the popularization of science influenced art through a close examination of The Assuaging of the Waters from the Legion of Honor collection.
Museum visit: Visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Hands-on activity: Making beaded jewelry inspired by prehistoric seas - bracelets in the shape of crinoid stars or fish charms - accompanied by a discussion of Jurassic seas.
Age: For the whole family.
Sāmores for Young and Old
An informal gathering to enjoy the outdoors in good company. If you think you have outgrown marshmallows and campfires, you have just to try making the charcuterie-style savory sāmores.
Hands-on activity: We will prepare savory sāmores with cheese, sausages, and crackers, as well as the classic sweet version with marshmallows for those who prefer it.
Age: For the whole family.
The Geology of Mono Valley
A multi-day trip into the mountains. We will visit Mono Lake to explore its remarkable geology and learn about the processes that shaped it. In addition to viewing the famous tufa formations around the lake, we will hike in the surrounding mountains.
Did you know that the mountains and valley surrounding Mono Lake were formed by volcanic activity? Or that the volcanic system responsible for creating them is still active today and therefore under constant surveillance?
Museum visit: On the way, we may visit the California State Mining and Mineral Museum. On September 4ā7 the Mariposa Fair will take place right next to the museum, featuring rodeo competitions, family activities, live music, and more.
Hands-on activity: Fold-out postcards in the appearance of local bird and butterfly species.
Age: Anyone comfortable with several miles of hiking on mountain trails.
Mosaics of Ravenna
A multi-day journey to Ravenna, Italy - the world capital of ancient mosaics. This trip is designed for those who wish to combine tourism with a deep engagement with history.
The core of the program consists of visits to Ravennaās famous churches and UNESCO World Heritage monuments, where we will examine some of the most beautiful and celebrated mosaics in the world, accompanied by lectures on the history of Italy between the fourth and seventh centuries. More information can be found on the corresponding page of my website.
Alongside the educational program, the program will include a more leisurely component without sacrificing intellectual depth. Highlights will include a mosaic workshop where participants can create their own mosaic, access to nearly 30 kilometers of beaches, and fantastic regional Italian cuisine, unique in its focus on local seafood.
Optional excursions are possible to the nearby town of Comacchio (about a 40-minute drive), often called āLittle Venice,ā where visitors can take boat rides through the Po delta, as well as to Bologna, a city that has preserved much of its Medieval character and is home to the oldest continuously operating university in the world.
Age: Adults and interested teenagers.
Iām interested! What comes next?
If one or more of these events has caught your attention, please fill out the preliminary interest form.
This does not commit you to anything, but it will help me understand which topics generate the most interest and determine the most appropriate format for these events.