EuroWeb: Europe Through Textiles. European Network for an integrated and interdisciplinary field in the Humanities

Textiles have been a central component of society for at least 10,000 years. We believe that a new vision and more nuanced understanding of the past will emerge when we employ textiles as a prism through which to explore the technology, economy and culture of Europe. This will enable us to formulate and visualise a new view of how technology and terminologies developed in Europe, and how textiles and clothing became ultimate expressions of identity. The EuroWeb overall objectives are: - To formulate a new vision of European history based on textiles - To uncover the underlying structures connected to textiles in languages, technologies and identities. - To bridge the gaps between different theoretical and methodological approaches grounded in European scholarship, and to test and disseminate new analytical and multi-disciplinary methods - To dissolve the traditional and often obsolete and obstructive dichotomies of practice and theory through a more integrated approach of disciplines and cultural institutions. - To forge new notions of inclusive European identity based on a shared heritage and experience of textiles, which are next to our skin and profoundly affect what is under our skin in terms of identity, a sense of belonging and social cohesion.