The First Academic Forum on Chinese Lu Silk Culture

The inaugural forum was held on November 16, 2011, in Jincheng, Shanxi. It was jointly organized by the Publicity Department of the Shanxi Provincial Committee and the Publicity Department of the Jincheng Municipal Committee, with the Gaoping Municipal Committee, Gaoping Municipal Government, and the Jilier Lu Silk Group serving as the hosts. The forum was inaugurated by Qian Youqing, Vice President of the China Silk Association, and Zhang Zhengming, former Vice Chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, among others.

Participants visited the Creative Hall and Experience Hall of the Jilier Lu Silk Group, gaining an in-depth understanding of the integration of traditional Lu Silk craftsmanship with modern industry. More than 20 experts and scholars from institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Donghua University engaged in discussions on the historical status, cultural value, and industrial development of Lu Silk. Academic circles proposed the historical positioning of Lu Silk as the "Root of Chinese Silk," emphasizing its glorious achievement during the Ming Dynasty, when it accounted for "one-third of the empire's silk production."

The forum aimed to promote the cultural revival of Lu Silk, support the upgrade of Shanxi's cultural industry, and explore pathways for integrating traditional craftsmanship with the modern economy. In 2024, Lu Silk gained international exposure through a naming rights partnership with the "Parisian Debutante Ball," showcasing intangible cultural heritage techniques and Fahua enamel craftsmanship, thus becoming a significant vehicle for Sino-French cultural exchange. Lu Silk product designs incorporate traditional elements such as dragon, phoenix, and cloud patterns, and have been featured in international fashion events, conveying Eastern aesthetics.

The weaving technique of Lu Silk was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2014. In 2024, Fudan University used Lu Silk fabric for the cover of its admission notices, promoting the integration of traditional culture with higher education.

Lu Silk not only represents the pinnacle of ancient northern weaving technology but its development history also serves as a microcosm of the integration of economy and culture. Although Lu Silk was once as renowned as Hangzhou satin and Shu brocade, its modern recognition is relatively low. There is a need to reshape its status through academic research, industrial innovation, and international promotion.