Opportunities and prospects of an ancient supply chain in the wake of tradition
On Saturday 27th April, the municipality of Monzambano (MN) will host a round table on mulberry cultivation. The area was once very rich in this agricultural activity and still has many mulberry trees that are centuries old. The event is being held to explore the possibility of including the municipality in the Silk Route itineraries of the European Horizon Aracne project, and to raise awareness of the community’s active participation in this initiative. Space will also be given to the testimony of Mauro Rizzotti, who, in his Vivaro Oasis, has rescued many centuries-old mulberry trees from this and neighbouring areas, specimens that were neglected or threatened with destruction. The event, in addition to the history of the mulberry tree, illustrated by dr. Gianni Fila, and an interview with Mauro Rizzotti, a mulberry rescuer and collector, will include a talk by Silvia Cappellozza on the multipurpose mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing, at the intersection of art, science and culture, as conceived in the context of Aracne. A presentation by Simone Vesentini, Lead Partner of the Fondazione Cariplo’s “Ritessere” project, in which CREA is also involved, will be focused on the methods to promote new uses for sericin, one of the proteins in the silkworm cocoon. The new silk routes are therefore perceived in a metaphorical sense, both as physical paths and know-how to obtain innovative technologies and products from silk.