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"Kärlek mötte mig i varje stycke" : mission och materialitet i det humanitära arbetet bland armeniska flyktingar i Thessaloniki, 1923-1947

Småberg, Maria LU (2015) In Din: religionsvitenskapelig tidsskrift 2015(2). p.87-116
Abstract
In this article I discuss how material things can function as a key to a wider understanding of the mission enterprise. From the example of the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson, who worked among Armenian refugees in Thessaloniki, 1923–1947, I analyze the role of needlework in the humanitarian work and show how exchanges of needlework over the borders created cosmopolitan bonds of solidarity between Swedish and Armenian women which made for change locally and globally.



Survivors of the 1915 genocide came to Thessaloniki where they met a life in misery. Within the framework of the ecumenical mission organization KMA – Women Missionary Workers, Johansson led among others things a sewing operation where Armenian women could... (More)
In this article I discuss how material things can function as a key to a wider understanding of the mission enterprise. From the example of the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson, who worked among Armenian refugees in Thessaloniki, 1923–1947, I analyze the role of needlework in the humanitarian work and show how exchanges of needlework over the borders created cosmopolitan bonds of solidarity between Swedish and Armenian women which made for change locally and globally.



Survivors of the 1915 genocide came to Thessaloniki where they met a life in misery. Within the framework of the ecumenical mission organization KMA – Women Missionary Workers, Johansson led among others things a sewing operation where Armenian women could get an income. Swedish women collected clothes and they bought Armenian needlework which Johansson sent home. They also met in sewing circles and sent needlework to the Armenian women in the refugee camps of Thessaloniki. I discuss how this material help did not only meet material needs, but also existential, emotional and cultural needs of donors and recipients alike. The material aid was filled with care. The needlework became also a help to self-help for the refugee women. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
alternative title
Mission and materiality in the humanitarian work among Armenian refugees in Thessaloniki, 1923-1947
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
mission, materiality, humanitarianism, cosmopolitan care, Armenian Genocide, Women missionary workers (K.M.A)
in
Din: religionsvitenskapelig tidsskrift
volume
2015
issue
2
pages
87 - 116
publisher
Novus Forlag
ISSN
1501-9934
language
Swedish
LU publication?
yes
id
04d305d0-86e3-48dd-90eb-1d413b2ff6dd (old id 8862883)
alternative location
http://ojs.novus.no/index.php/DIN/article/view/1217/1206
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 15:00:33
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:32:24
@article{04d305d0-86e3-48dd-90eb-1d413b2ff6dd,
  abstract     = {{In this article I discuss how material things can function as a key to a wider understanding of the mission enterprise. From the example of the Swedish missionary Alma Johansson, who worked among Armenian refugees in Thessaloniki, 1923–1947, I analyze the role of needlework in the humanitarian work and show how exchanges of needlework over the borders created cosmopolitan bonds of solidarity between Swedish and Armenian women which made for change locally and globally.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
Survivors of the 1915 genocide came to Thessaloniki where they met a life in misery. Within the framework of the ecumenical mission organization KMA – Women Missionary Workers, Johansson led among others things a sewing operation where Armenian women could get an income. Swedish women collected clothes and they bought Armenian needlework which Johansson sent home. They also met in sewing circles and sent needlework to the Armenian women in the refugee camps of Thessaloniki. I discuss how this material help did not only meet material needs, but also existential, emotional and cultural needs of donors and recipients alike. The material aid was filled with care. The needlework became also a help to self-help for the refugee women.}},
  author       = {{Småberg, Maria}},
  issn         = {{1501-9934}},
  keywords     = {{mission; materiality; humanitarianism; cosmopolitan care; Armenian Genocide; Women missionary workers (K.M.A)}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  number       = {{2}},
  pages        = {{87--116}},
  publisher    = {{Novus Forlag}},
  series       = {{Din: religionsvitenskapelig tidsskrift}},
  title        = {{"Kärlek mötte mig i varje stycke" : mission och materialitet i det humanitära arbetet bland armeniska flyktingar i Thessaloniki, 1923-1947}},
  url          = {{http://ojs.novus.no/index.php/DIN/article/view/1217/1206}},
  volume       = {{2015}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}