The XI Multaqa, “Valencia in the Western Silk Roads”

© UNESCO Valencia Center / Floral offering to the Virgin of the Forsaken, patroness of Valencia, during the feast of the Fallas in Valencia.

The XI Multaqa, “VALENCIA in the WESTERN SILK ROADS”, was organized in Valencia, Spain from 19th to 21st June, 2015 by the UNESCO Centre Valencia/Mediterráneo.  

© UNESCO Valencia Center / Performance by the musical group "Fistulatores et tubicinatores valentini"
Multaqa”, an Arabic word, means a friendly encounter, and thus is befitting in summarizing Valencia’s historical and cultural identity. The event is celebrated yearly with different themes. In 2015, by displaying the rich cultural and commercial impact of Silk on the Spanish Society, the Multaqa aimed at establishing a platform for a better understanding of the historical and cultural commingling, on both the city and the society. The discussion topics varied from the influence of this interaction on culture, religion and language, and were limited not only to Valencia but also extended the discussion to debate over the impact on the larger Peninsula.

The XI Multaqa, like the previous 10 editions since 2003, was a huge success in bringing together diverse ritual experiences celebrated in succession on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; the Muslim Jumu'ah, Jewish Shabat and the Christian Dominica. This dialogue succeeded in spreading the message of Peace through mutual understanding and an exchange of knowledge, experience and memory to promote respect and emphasize on certain common fundamental values.

© UNESCO Valencia Center / Opening session of the XI Multaqa of the Three Cultures - Friday, 19 June , Museum of Fine Arts in Valencia

On March 4th 2015, the UNWTO Silk Road Ministers' Meeting in Berlin acknowledged the central role of Spain and Portugal in the production and trade of silk since the Omayyadperiod (8th century A.D.) in the so called Western Silk Roads.  Furthermore, Spain was integrated into the UNESCO Silk Road Online Platform project and became one of the five members of its Steering Committee of its International Network at the first meeting of the network in Xi’an, China last May. Therefore, the XI Multaqa echoed this sentiment of the importance of Silk to Valencia. Organized with the support of National, Regional and Local authorities in collaboration with the civil society, the XI Multaqa has been an outstanding proof of the pride of the city in being chosen as the operational basis of the Spanish Focal Point for implementing a national roadmap for the UNESCO Silk Road Online Platform.

The event was attended by MM. José Maria Chiquillo Barber, Senator for Valencia and UNESCO Online Platform Spanish focal point; José Manuel Gironés, director of the  UNESCO Centre of Valencia/Mediterráneo;  Luis Ramallo and Federico Palomero Güez, respectively president and secretary general of Spanish National Commission for UNESCO; MM. Joan Ribô, the mayor of Valencia; Federico Mayor Zaragoza, president of the Culture of Peace Foundation and former Director General of UNESCO;  Ali Moussa-Iye Chief of the UNESCO Silk Road Online Platform project;  MMrs Isabel Garaña, UNWTO’s regional director for Europe; Annick Thébia-Melsan, UN and UNESCO expert; Ambassadors of the Silk Roads Countries such as Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan as well as diplomats from China and Russia. The platform allowed the enthusiastic audience to gain knowledge and information from not only Academicians and Scientists from different parts of Spain, but also from high level officers of various Government departments and from cultural and touristic National and local institutions.  

© UNESCO Valencia Center / Award Ceremony UNESCO Valencia - Sunday, June 21, 2015, Lonja de la Seda de Valencia
Cultural institutions like the Fine Arts Museum, the High Silk College and the remarkable “Lonja de la Seda” (House of Silk Traders), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, hosted the XI Multaqa. The large and enthusiastic participation garnered by the event as well as the inter-generational and multicultural assistance by all, further cemented the resolve to organize future activities related to the Silk Roads within the international UNESCO's framework.

 The XI Multaqa succeeded also in bringing together national authorities, diplomatic  representatives, academics artists and an enthusiastic local audience on a journey that delved into comprehending the diversity and interdependency of the various cultures and peoples along the Western Silk Roads, with a specific focus on grasping the impact of these historic exchanges on the dynamism of Valencia, as well as on other Spanish cities like Granada, Zaragoza, Cordoba, Toledo, Seville, Barcelona and extending to other European cities of Italy, France and Germany as well as the cities on the Southern bank of the Mediterranean sea. The event included round tables, artistic performances, activities for the youth and rich culinary offerings, which were the perfect combination of intellectual indulgences with fun and frolic. These events provided a glimpse into the legacy of the historic Silk Roads, a legacy which has seeped not only the culture and the commerce but also the gastronomical offerings of the cities.

© UNESCO Valencia Center / Visit to the workshop of velluter master workman, Vicente Enguídanos at the College of Major Silk Art, Saturday, 20th June, 2015.
Inspired by a vibrant interest, the XI Multaqa exposed how in Valencia, Silk represents not only a deep link with the past, but also is pivotal to the local industry and commerce. It gives an appealing opportunity for intelligent tourism and provides strong capital for future initiatives. Just like all places with a unique and diverse cultural legacy, Spanish local engagement ensures the cultural vitality of Silk Roads for sustainable development via creative industries, education and tourism. The emotional presence of representatives of several generations of traditional craftsmen and silk producers, the « velluters », showed how the commitment that began with the historic Silk Roads is still alive and continues to be of timeless significance.

The partners of Valencia strongly reiterate their proposal to host in Valencia « City of Silk », in 2016 the second meeting of the International Network for UNESCO Silk Road Online Platform.  

 

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