Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA) for the Future of Sericulture in Europe and Central Asia

The history and recent activities of the Black Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association are presented in this paper: the countries that participated in its foundation, the FAO’s action to revitalize sericulture in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the following widening of the Association geographical limits of to enclose other European countries, which were not well-represented in other similar organizations. Some statistical data are illustrated for a better description of the scenario in which the BACSA executive board acted: the world silk production quantity and the relative production of BACSA countries in respect to the Chinese expansion. The themes treated in the BACSA conferences are reported to explain which matters the Executive Board considered the most relevant for the relaunch of this activity in relationships to the international challenges in the subsequent years; the project proposals that were presented to international donors are summarized. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is shown, where key-factors in determining the strengths and weaknesses of this organization and its member countries for a successful re-establishment of sericulture, are considered. In addition, future trends of sericulture with regard to innovative productions and the Green Deal are examined.

Los inicios de la nueva industria sedera en Toledo (1475-1508)

This article details the beginnings of a new kind of silk’s textile production in the city of Toledo at the end of the 15th century: velvet. We examine the precedents of silk production of the city and how it was introduced a new one which partially replaced it. A key point on the analysis is the ordinances Toledo’s velvet weaving of 1485. Throughout this regulation and also through notarial protocols of the city we try to bring an image of the labor organization. El presente artículo trata sobre los inicios de una nueva forma de producción de tejidos de seda en la ciudad de Toledo a finales del siglo XV: el terciopelo. Se examina las formas de producción en fechas anteriores y la manera en la que se introduce esta nueva modalidad productiva, así como su desarrollo en los siglos siguientes. Un hecho clave para la comprensión de este proceso son las ordenanzas de tejer terciopelo de Toledo del año 1485. A partir de esta reglamentación y de los protocolos notariales toledanos se ofrece una imagen de la organización productiva de esta actividad en la ciudad.

Probing the potentiality of the defoliator Cricula trifenestrata Helfer silk: a revisit

Background Transformation of pest to valuable product is considered to be a noteworthy innovation. This article explores the potentiality of wild silkworm Cricula trifenestrata Helfer for sustainable development towards human livelihoods. Results The innate characteristics of this silkworm with robust rearing capacity have bestowed various aspects of biomaterials with special context to diversification of wild silk products. Views on challenges, prospects and the enigma of converting a pest to beneficial product are also unraveled. Exploration on utmost utilization of raw silk, scope for varied byproduct from silk waste may contribute a ray of hope for income generation to the rural population. Conclusion With suitable plantation and congenial climatic conditions for rearing Cricula trifenestrata may serve as an alternative wild silk in contributing to the country’s wild raw silk production.

Textile Media

Byzantine textile arts can be grouped into Late Antique/Early Byzantine, Middle Byzantine, and Late Byzantine categories, dominated respectively by tapestry-woven decoration in wool, patterned silk textiles, and gold embroideries. Accidents of preservation have played a major role in determining what survives from each period and should be kept in mind when evaluating the history of Byzantine textile production. Nonetheless, these categories seem to reflect a series of real shifts in the focus of production. The first is a pivot from domestic consumption to the international mercantile context of silk production, controlled by the Byzantine court. The second, following economic and military setbacks (twelfth-thirteenth centuries), is a new emphasis on embroidered decoration, with the Orthodox Church as the dominant patron.

The potential for increasing the productivity of Indonesian silk farmers

Natural silk is one of the sources of livelihood for rural Indonesians. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, natural silk production has been affected. During the pandemic, the community implements health protocols such as keeping physical distance and physical contact. Meanwhile, the natural silk business is a labor-intensive business that involves a lot of labor, so a strategy is needed in order that silk farmers could continue running their productive business to meet the necessities of life. This paper aims to provide information on the potential for the economic increase of Indonesian silk farmers through sericulture technological applications. The research used desk study, descriptive qualitative, and quantitative methods with the study locations in Sulawesi, Gorontalo, and Java Provinces. The results of the study show that the technology input through the mulberry hybrid and silkworm hybrids can increase farmers’ cocoon production by 21.4% - 36.4% with an increase of silk filament production by 75.4% -358.8% per silkworm box. In addition, the use of mulberry hybrids and standard silkworm rearing room is also a potential for silk farmers to increase the number of silkworms raised with the same resource capital in the form of land ownership area and number of family labor. The application of sericulture technology is indispensable as one of the solutions in increasing the productivity of silk farmers in the pandemic era hence a sustainable socialization of technology is needed.

A Study on the Status and Prospects of Tasar Sericulture Industry and its Impact on Tribal Lives in Jharkhand

This paper reviews the status and prospects of the “Tasar Silk Industry” in the state of Jharkhand. Tasar Sericulture is practiced in the states of Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Bihar with Jharkhand being the leading producer with 80% of the tasar silk production employing around 1.5 lakh farmers in rearing, reeling and weaving activities, This is an agro-based, cottage industry practiced as “a way of life” by the various tribal inhabitants of this state like Santhals, Hos, Uraons, Kerwars and others. Tasar silk is not only known for its charm, texture and its natural golden color, but it also has a high ethical value. It is known as “Ahimsa Silk” as it does not kill the silkworm by boiling the cocoons while it is still inside it. The fibre is extracted only after the silkworm (Antherea Mylitta and Antherea Proyeli J) has left the cocoons. Tasar sericulture is being promoted widely through premier bodies like The Central Silk Board and its subsidiary i.e Central Tasar Research and Training Institute; Ranchi, which has undertaken research and development and training programs, since its establishment in 1964, thereby improving the silk production as well as empowering the lives of weak and marginalized tribes of Jharkhand. Growing demands from foreign countries, elucidate the promising future of the tasar silk industry in Jharkhand which in turn would uplift the living qualities of the rural people. Heavy investment in this industry now, would bring good returns in future, not just in terms of an improved economy, but also an improved society. This paper highlights the fact that apart from the huge potential to earn foreign exchange for the country, tasar culture has immense ethical values and truly carves for us a path towards sustainable development. Keywords: Tasar, sericulture, Jharkhand, tribal, Ahimsa Silk, Sustainable Development.

First record of Phyllactinia moricola (Erysiphales, Ascomycota) on Morus alba in Europe

Information on the record of Phyllactinia moricola, a new in Ukraine alien powdery mildew fungus, is reported. The teleomorph of the fungus was collected in October–December 2020 on Morus alba in Odesa. The description and illustrations of the studied material are provided. The disease caused by this species can significantly reduce the ornamental properties of mulberry, a popular plant that is often used in greenery in the settlements of Ukraine. It is noted that the fungus can spread to Southern Europe, where it may cause significant damage to horticulture and silk production.

Silk Road Museums: Design of Inclusive Heritage and Cross-Cultural Education

This work is the result of a study on the characteristics that define some of the museums created on the Silk Road. The approach to these museums has focused especially on the observation of the educational and heritage aspects that define these institutions. Since 1988, numerous actions related to the Silk Road have been promoted by UNESCO. This old trade route has now become a route of dialogue between cultures. Each museum studied is characterized by promoting local and national issues that define it. Educational issues stand out, since the tradition of silk production is very important in each place. Another aspect observed is that heritage issues manage to strengthen the characteristic features of each community. I have interviewed those responsible and personally observed their facilities and collections. Each museum has chosen to highlight local differential factors, enhancing the aesthetic arguments of cultural identity. Finally, I examine the specific case of the Valencia Silk Museum, the most recent creation museum but also the oldest institution. In the conclusions, I highlight the importance of education in most of these institutions.