Federal Minister for Culture, Pir Aftab Shah Jilani visited the Nanjing Yunjin Brocade Silk Research Institute here on Tuesday and held meeting with its Director, Wang Baolin. Wang informed the Minister that Yunjin Brocade silk, having a history of over 1,500 years, is weaved with a special technique and is one of the few art forms that so far could not be replaced by machinery, adding to the Unesco's list of "Human Intangible Cultural Heritage," last year.
He said that the brocade is made on specially designed looms, which are 5.6 meters long and 4 meters high, by two craftsmen, working simultaneously and in synchronisation. Jilani said he is impressed by the dexterous craftsmanship of the artisans and appreciated the steps of Chinese government in protecting the ancient art form. The Minister was also given a detailed tour of the Silk Museum associated with the research institute. Khalid Javed Executive Director Lok Virsa was also present there.-PR