Primary source materials are the essence of historical research. Distinguished historians, linguists, scientists, archaeologists and cultural specialists of Sparta have written extensively about the historical evolution of our region and the lives of our people.

Now, their work is accessible to researchers worldwide at the Library of Congress (“Library”). This morning, I was both thrilled and honored to deliver to Nevila Pahumi, Ph.D.¹ twelve of the twenty-three journals published by the Society of Lakonia Studies (“Society”). Next summer, I will bring her the remaining volumes and supplements.

I first met Dr. Pahumi in February, 2022, when Gregory Kontos of GreekAncestry and I visited the Library to examine their collection of Directories for Cyprus. It was during our discussion that I became aware of the Library’s eagerness to access primary source materials. During my yearly visits to Sparta, I continue to look for books and other manuscripts that are locally sourced and written, and which would meet the interests of the Library’s researchers. In 2023, I brought Dr. Pahumi all published issues of the Faris (Φαρις) newsletter of Xirokampi, which are filled with recollections of villagers, research by historians, and local poems, stories and anecdotes.

I have long known of the mission and publications of the Society of Lakonia Studies through my historian colleagues and friends, Dimitris Katsoulakos and Giannis Michalakakos. But it was not until last summer, when I spent one month working at the Central Library of Sparta and reviewing the Lakonia Studies journals, that I thought of bringing them to the Library of Congress. My deepest gratitude to Dimitris and Giannis for helping to make this concept a reality!

The Society of Lakonia Studies has a 58-year history. It was organized in 1966 in Athens under the initiative of Dikaios V. Vagiakakos with the mission of developing and promoting scientific research about Lakonia. Topics focus on: history, archaeology, linguistics, folklore, philosophy, law, portraiture, anthropology, painting, architecture. Authors present their scholarly work at the Society’s yearly conferences held in Athens. Their writings are subsequently published in the journal Λακωνικαί Σπουδαί or Lakonian Studies. Clicking on the title of each volume will reveal its Table of Contents. These articles are historically important, meticulously researched, and truly fascinating to read.

The Society is housed in Athens at 63 Charilaou Trikoupi, 4th floor. Office hours are Monday – Wednesday – Friday from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm; phone: 210-3304422; email: etlasp@gmail.com. Its library is accessible to anyone interested.

This announcement is on the Lakonia Studies website:

Thursday, September 26, 2024
SIXTH CONFERENCE OF THE SOCIETY OF LACONIAN STUDIES
The Society of Laconian Studies will organize in November 2025 in Sparta (the exact date will be announced in the near future) the 6th Congress of Laconia Studies on the subject: Laconia 330 AD. – 1830.
We ask those interested in participating to send a summary (up to 300 words) of their presentations by March 1, 2025 to the email address: etlasp@gmail.com.
More information about the conference will be posted on the website of the Society of Laconic Studies http://www.etlasp.gr/
The organizing committee: Sokratis Kougeas  & Dimitris Katsoulakos

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¹Dr. Pahumi is the Reference Librarian for Latin American, Caribbean, and European Division at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.,