Many Traditional Weavers Will Participate in The 4th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium

About 100 traditional weavers from 10 Asean countries including Canada, India, Japan and the US are likely to participate in the 4th Asean Traditional Textile Symposium to be held in Thai Nguyen, a northern province of Vietnam, from March 15-18, 2013.   The event titled "Traditions, Innovations and Interactions: Paving a Creative Path for Traditional Textiles of Southeast Asia" is expected to draw over 200 local as well as international guests.   Producers, researchers, designers and artisans from traditional weaving villages of 11 ethnic groups would represent Vietnam along with members of the Vietnam Textiles Association.   Several researchers and producers would participate in the two scientific workshops — "From traditional textile villages to light industry trade" and "Conservation and promotion of traditional textiles in museums".   Meanwhile, several cultural events like exhibitions, workshops and revelation of trade villages and their culture, fairs and fashion shows would also be held alongside the symposium.   A three-day trade expo with 60 Vietnamese and 15 international stalls would showcase traditional and contemporary weaving and embroidery before the visitors.   The event would also host differently themed fashion shows over three nights. The themes would remain focused on traditional dresses of ethnic groups of Vietnam and other Asean nations.   Vietnamese artisans would also present live demo of preparation brocades of the Pa Then, Thai Nung, Tay, Muong, Cham, Ede and M'nong ethnic groups, linen fabric of the Mong ethnic group and silk of the Kinh and Khmer communities.   It is for the first time that Vietnam is hosting such a mega event on Asean traditional textiles, Nguyen Van Tinh, Director of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said in a media briefing.   The event would further Vietnam and other Asean nations with an opportunity to collaborate in the area of traditional textiles, and also allow Vietnam to present the epitome of its ethnic groups' textiles before world, he added.