Special Sessions
The fourth Silk Cities international conference in Tunis, will also hold some special sessions, you can read about these sessions on this page.
TURN YOUR RESEARCH TO PUBLICATION!
An interactive workshop will be held at the conference to assist early and mid-career researchers and practitioners in sharpening their research publication skills.
Conference participants will hear from the scientific committee with extensive academic reviewers and editorial experience on types of research publications, what is expected from authors, what reviewers look for, common pitfalls, and hands-on know-how. It will be by in-depth group discussion.
Before commencing the workshop, participants will have the opportunity to send their key questions to be discussed in the workshop.
INTANGIBLE HERITAGE AND THE PARADOX OF PUBLIC AWARENESS IN TUNISIA
This special session will zoom in on Tunisia's intangible cultural heritage as an intriguing paradox for examination and in-depth discussions. On one hand, there has been a notable advancement in the global recognition of Tunisia's intangible cultural heritage over the past six years. This is particularly evident through the inclusion of six elements on the World Heritage representative List: the Date palm, encompassing knowledge, know-how, traditions, and practices (2022); Harissa, comprising knowledge, know-how, culinary expertise, and social practices (2022); Arabic calligraphy, encompassing knowledge, know-how, and practices (2021); Charfia fishing in the Kerkennah Islands (2020); knowledge, know-how, and practices related to the production and consumption of couscous (2020); and the pottery know-how of the women of Sejnane (2018).
On the other hand, the recognition of the significance of living heritage, the imperative to promote it, and the means to safeguard it do not appear to be widely shared in present times. What accounts for this phenomenon? Is it unique to Tunisia or is it comparable to other countries in the region?
It is precisely this reality, along with the dynamics of institutional, associative, and broader civil society endeavors to surmount these challenges, that will be addressed in this special session. Professionals from the craft sector, activists, and scholars from all generations will come together to explore these issues. The session will include plenty of time for group discussions with the conference participants.
SIDE EXHIBITION OF PHOTOS AND SHORT-VIDEO
A side exhibition of photos and short videos will be a complementary event to the conference. It provides an opportunity for attendees to engage with visual content related to intangible heritage, cities and communities. The exhibition will enhance the overall conference experience by offering a different perspective and stimulating discussions among participants.
The exhibition will offer a visual exploration of communities’ cultural life in public spaces, aligned with the conference topic. It is based on an international photo and short video competition Silk Cities completed in 2023. Exhibited photos and videos explore a rich variety of the intersection of cultural practices and public spaces in both normal and disastrous situations in several countries.
Additionally, it serves as a platform for the winners, runners-up, and other selected artists to showcase their work and gain exposure within the conference community.
For more information visit the competition website. Make sure to visit our digital galleries of winners and runners-up: photo gallery and video gallery.
Monk meditates in front of a Buddha statue by Zifan Zhang
