The 2nd IASSRT Symposium “Dialogue with Silk between Europe and Asia: History, Technology and Art”, which was hosted by International Association for the Study of Silk Road Textiles, co-organized by China National Silk Museum and Musées Gadagne, held successfully from November 29 to December 4, 2017. More than 40 scholars and  organization representatives from 12 countries, including China, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, Russia, the United States, Korea, Japan and Thailand, attended the symposium.

Scholars made academic reports and leaded relative discussions around the theme of “Dialogue with Silk between Europe and Asia: History, Technology and Art” in the two-day symposiums from November 30 to December 1. The main theme was divided into six panels, that focused on “French Silk”, “Archaeology”, “Museum Collections”, “Asia Silk”, “Art of Silk on the Silk Road”, “Silk Exchanges between Europe and Asia” respectively.

The annual Silk Label Festival of Lyon was held during the IASSRT symposium, all scholars and representatives are invited to take part in the Silk Label Festival Reception at Lyon City Hall in the afternoon of December 1. At the same time, the visiting of Musées Gadagne and the Silk Market were arranged for all participants.

The annual Silk Label Festival of Lyon

the Silk Market

The symposium actively provided a variety of academic exchange platforms. Scholars and representatives visited Musée des Tissus, Maison des Canuts, Musée d'Art et d'Industrie and other workshops to know about the development of silk in Europe and the revolt of textile workers in Lyon, to communicate with experts about museum collection, to discuss ribbons with their looms, and to study the art of silk and felt.

Another significant agenda was the 2017 annual conference of International Association for the Study of Silk Road Textiles’ council. In the conference, Feng Zhao, as the chairman, reported the works in 2017. Later, 12 representatives and special members presented their points of views, and discussed the future works and the development direction of IASSRT. At the end of the conference, all members reached an agreement on strengthening cooperation, absorbing new members, strengthening the website of IASSRT maintenance and update, and confirming the 3rd IASSRT Symposium would be held in Korea. Otherwise, the Historical Culture Committee of International Silk Union (ISU) was established during the period.

Feng Zhao, as the chairman, reported the works in 2017

confirming the 3rd IASSRT Symposium would be held in Korea

the Historical Culture Committee of International Silk Union (ISU)