Kashgar to Dunhuang: Mountains, deserts, oases, and renewable energy

TIME:   11:30 - 12:30 pm

DATE:  Tuesday October 8, 2019

TITLE:  China’s Ancient Silk Route from Kashgar to Dunhuang:  Mountains, deserts, oases, and renewable energy

VENUE:  Halpern Centre - Room 114 - SFU Burnaby Campus

SPEAKER:  Marilyn Bowman

ABSTRACT:

While a powerful New Silk Road is emerging as part of China’s rising prosperity and power, the ancient silk route was a much more fragile system. It connected the Roman empire to China along difficult routes over extreme mountain passes into and out of the mountains of Central Asia, onto the oasis spots in the vast Taklamakan and Gobi deserts of China. Rich cultural exchanges developed in the towns on these routes, and their continuing isolation preserves many of their complex historical features. The talk will show the rich cultures of Kashgar, Turpan and Dunhuang, along with the vast desolate geography that is now being used to generate hydro, solar, and wind power for the cities of the east.

BIOGRAPHY:

Marilyn Bowman taught in the Department of Psychology for nearly 30 years, taking on administrative roles that included Department Chairman, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, Director of Clinical Training, as well as representing the Faculty of Arts on Senate, and faculty on the Board of Governors. She has always been interested in countries with long histories and has travelled widely since leaving home age 20 for her first job. Since retirement in 2005 she has been especially focused on travels to the heartland of Central Asia, and on painting holidays in wonderful places.