We are organising the third European Textile Forum for people working in historical textile crafts. The event will take place September 10-16 2012 in the Laboratory for Experimental Archaeology in Mayen, Germany. This is a new research center of the Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum (RGZM).
The programme consists of three parts: Free time to work, try out things and talk about textile techniques; the possibility to give little show-and-tell presentations directly on your project during daylight hours; and a series of short paper sessions in the evening hours. We would like to present current projects, reconstructions, technical problems or research work during those talks.
As a special treat this year, we are planning to round off the Forum week with some more presentations on Saturday, and we are hoping to include some guest speakers who will look at our focus topic from different angles.
As focus topic this year, we have decided on "Metals in the Textile Crafts". This is a wide topic that can include anything from metal tools necessary over the use of metal embellishments like threads or rings to the use of metal salts in dyeing processes and the role of metal corrosion in the preservation of archaeological textiles - so a huge range of techniques and materials that is covered by the focus topic.
Papers or posters about our focus topic are thus especially welcome, but of course we are not limited on only this topic for the Forum.
Due to the limited space available at the Experimental Archaeology Lab, we can accommodate about a dozen to fourteen participants on-site only. We want to give up to thirty textile experts and enthusiasts the opportunity to meet at the museum for one whole week, each with his or her project(s), and there is free time to work, chat, demonstrate and talk about textiles and textile crafts during the day. The museum is open to the public and we welcome other weavers, spinners, dyers, to come so they can also sit, work and talk with both guests and participants. With this opportunity for everybody interested in textiles, we want to help establish a better communication between professionals and non-professionals like Living History enthusiasts.
The RGZM is graciously supporting the European Textile Forum by granting us use of the on-site dorms. These will be very simple, mixed dorms with several beds and shared facilities; it may be necessary for you to bring your own bedding or sleeping bag. If you prefer a room in a hotel or pension, you can of course book your own accommodation in Mayen; some more information can be found on the Travel and Accommodation page. Full board consists of breakfast, lunch and dinner; water to drink will be available at all times. All meals will be served in the Laboratory. The conference fee, including the sleeping possibility in the on-site dorm and full board during the week, is 300 Euro per person.
For the Forum, we are looking for both paper or poster presentations and offers for show-and-tell presentations. If you can offer a workshop in connection with our Forum focus, please contact us via info@textileforum.org. Workshops will be booked separately by the participants, and teachers will receive a reimbursement.
To register for the Forum with or without a poster or paper presentation, please submit your current area of research, the title and abstract of your presentation until May 12 via the registration form. If you would like to give a paper longer than 20 minutes, please let us know about that - we will be able to accommodate a limited number of longer presentations this year.
For any questions left, you can contact us directly via info@textilforum.org.
We are looking forward to a wonderful conference with you!
