On 12 October the seminar “Silk and Religion” was held in Pisignano (Cervia). The event was organized by the cultural association SERIT “Rural Entomological Society of Textile Insects” to commemorate the reconstruction by Augustinian nuns of the Romanic church of Saint Stephen in Pisignano.

Mulberry growing and silkworm rearing have been present in this area for centuries. The local community has “adopted” an ancient row of mulberry trees, a strong cultural identity symbol for past and present generations.

The meeting was moderated by Gianni Grandu, coordinator of the initiatives for the 500 years since the reconstruction of the church and attended by local authorities. Among the speakers were Luca Corelli, President of the association SERIT, historian Cristina Ravara and the Director of the Italian representation of the Council of Europe, Luisella Pavan Woolfe.