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Nanjing Yunjin Museum of China, Nanjing, 15 October 2013:
Weaving across borders – Crafts as a common language.
Opening speech by Consul General Øyvind Stokke (Norway)
Director Wang, director Jacobsen, representatives for Norges
Husflidslag, Silkeveven Skarnes, Nanjing City, dear friends of
Norway and China,
First, to all Norwegians here:
Min bestemor hadde en vevstol. Jeg husker hun satt ofte ved
den. Derfor gir det meg særskilte og gode minner å være her.
My grandmother had a loom. I remember well her weaving.
Therefore, it brings up special memories, good vibrations, being
here.
Thank you very much for inviting me. It is a great pleasure and
honor to be here. This is a project – exhibition, workshops and
seminars – I have read about, I have seen photos, heard colleagues
talk about it, it is solid supported financially from us, and now I am
here, in this historic city, the ancient capital, Nanjing.
Representing the Norwegian Government, the Norwegian
Consulate General in Shanghai, I am impressed when I witness such
a good project – because – and let me mention five reasons or five
keys –qualities. And these keys are also so well summarized in the
project's title "Weaving across borders – Crafts as a common
language".
First: It is dealing with traditions, with "old stuff", long threads
of tradition that are kept, saved, preserved, guarded and renewed.
Deep-rooted craftsmanship. For centuries.
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Other days in my job I look at things or projects – in the
academic or business field, for example – that are 10 or 20 years
old. Fascinating they are, too. However, here we talk about
Norwegian and Chinese skills that date many, many centuries back.
It is old, ancient, it is solid, colorful.
Second: The project deals with what we have in common. Or
commonness, what we share, our similarities. Two countries, so far
apart, by oceans and mountains, but such a project shows what we
share, of common practices, common goods, traditions, common rich
values.
Our common heritage.
Third: The project shows the importance of personal contacts;
people who get to know each other, over time. Connections. The
knowledge of each other.
Faces we know. With respect and recognition. People we know
can do their work.
Fourth: This project deals with specialized, so-called folk art.
Crafts. It shows people's expertise, their knowledge, what their
mothers taught their daughters, or sons, through centuries. We see
a line, threads, through years. Made by ordinary people.
And often I think: it is easier for the public to identify
themselves with crafts projects. It is something they have seen
before, they have seen something similar.
My grandmother had a loom. Identification.
Fifth: Weaving brings people together, in the same way as
waves have brought ships and people together from East and West
towards China's coast and up rivers. Weaving, working and creating
– bring forth enthusiasm.
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Finally, I want to thank Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Research
Institute here in Nanjing, Norges Husflidslag, Silkeveven Skarnes,
UNESCO, as well as many other partners. Thank you.
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(Check against delivery. And the speech was also simultaneously
translated into Chinese)