Book series opens new chapter on China's textile culture

By Guan Xiaomeng | chinadaily.com.cn

Omamental Patters from Ancient Chinese Textiles, a new collection of the Belt and Road series by Zhejiang University Press (ZJUP), was released on Thursday at the Beijing International Book Fair.

Lu Dongming (L), professor of information science of Zhejiang University and President of Zhejiang University Press, and Zhou Yang, assistant curator of China Silk Museum, release the  Omamental Patters from Ancient Chinese Textiles at the Beijing International Book Fair on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Consisting of 10 volumes, the textile series combines modern technology with traditional Chinese craftwork like weaving, textile printing and embroidery to bring the ancient wonder into modern world.

Yuan Yachun, editor-in-chief of ZJUP, said the press aims to spread knowledge and even lead the trend in a systemic and structural manner. "We do have quantity of resources and research results in textile nationwide…with this book, our mission is to connect what appears to be unrelated angles and elements in the textile culture into a programmatic system," Yuan said.

ZJUP, based in Hangzhou of Zhejiang province, donated the series to University of Washington during the launch ceremony and the series is expected to go global.

ZJUP was listed among top 100 most influential Chinese publications in world library collection in 2017 and top 10 among China's English publications, according to a report released during the book fare.

Models present creations with Chinese textile elements during the launching ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yuan said there was a need to tap the international market.. "We need to 'go out', and more importantly 'go inside' the world," said Yuan.

Founded in 1984, ZJUP is one of the nation's leading publishers with over 1,000 new titles every year covering journals, academic, trade and popular books.

The press launched its first books on the Belt and Road titles at the book fair last year under the nationwide campaign of Belt and Road Initiative. The series covers disciplines including archaeology, arts, religion and law of the countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative in more than 10 languages, including English, Spanish, Russian, Turkish and Bengali.

According to Yuan, ZJUP is going to focus on the areas of practical operation in the initiative such as trade and law disputes. Books on disputes resolution for the B&R countries and laws of B&R countries should be published in both Chinese and English.

Zhou Yang, assistant curator of China Silk Museum also based in Hangzhou, said the museum gathered personnel in different majors like archaeology, material science, chemistry, designing and fashion to compile materials for the series. The museum, which opened in 1992, is a silk research and exhibiting institute with an aim to preserve and inherit the tradition.

"With the book, we showcase what is exhibited in the museum," said Zhou, adding the book will inspire more design creations with Chinese textile elements and spread traditional Chinese culture as the book displays textile patterns with detailed information of the antiques they come from and the story behind the antiques.

"I believe designers will be very happy with the book because there will be an easy way to tap traditional Chinese elements," Zhou said.

The curator said the museum is set to establish a textile culture preservation, research, exhibiting, inheriting and utilizing chain to make the past serve the present. "We cannot indulge in the past and we must make the past contribute the modern lifestyle."

"Silk is soft but powerful," said Zhou, "No one in the world can resist the power of silk and our mission is to tell others about it."