A deeply personal story of a remarkable cultural resurrection - bringing 15th-century Timurid carpets back to life.

The Silk Road has long conjured images of glittering minarets, ancient trade, and exquisite textiles. The Arts Society Henley is proud to host an extraordinary presentation by acclaimed author and lecturer Chris Aslan, who will transport members to the heart of a remote Uzbek desert oasis in his lecture.

Attendees: TASH Members & their Guests Only.  Arrive early to enjoy drinks, lunch and great company.

Timings: Morning Lecture & Online @ 10:45 / Afternoon Lecture @ 14:15.

The Speaker’s Journey

Born in Turkey and raised in war-torn Beirut, Chris Aslan spent fifteen years living and working across Central Asia. His adventure in Uzbekistan began in the late 1990s when, while ostensibly writing a travel guidebook, he fell in love with the UNESCO World Heritage walled city of Khiva.

Immersing himself in the local community, Aslan co-founded a pioneering, UNESCO-supported fair-trade workshop. This initiative not only provided crucial livelihoods for local women and disabled artisans but also tackled a fascinating artistic mystery: reviving a textile tradition that had been entirely lost under decades of Soviet industrialisation.

Resurrecting Lost Masterpieces

At the heart of the lecture is the brilliant detective work required to resurrect Timurid-era carpets. During the 15th century, the Timurid Empire - which spanned modern-day Uzbekistan, Iran, and Afghanistan - flourished as a golden age of architecture and art. Yet, due to the fragile nature of textiles, no physical carpets from this era survived.

To recreate them, Aslan and his workshop had to look elsewhere. They turned to illumination on vellum - intricate miniature paintings found in medieval manuscripts. Ironically, while orthodox Islamic tradition historically prohibited representative art, these courtly miniatures flourished, preserving the only surviving visual records of Timurid textile patterns. By carefully decoding the geometry and borders depicted in these tiny paintings, the Khiva workshop successfully re-established the ancient knots, layout designs, and natural dyeing processes.

Art, Society, and Hidden Narratives

The lecture expands beyond the loom to explore the vital social role that weaving and embroidery played in the domestic and social lives of Central Asian women. Historically, textiles were a woman's voice, her dowry, and her financial security. Aslan will examine how seismic social and political shifts - from imperial rivalries to Soviet collectivism - led to the sharp decline of these traditional crafts.

About our Speaker

Chris Aslan’s insights are highly praised across the lecture circuit and the literary world. The Telegraph commends him as an "excellent guide through the chaos of local life," noting his ability to draw a "vivid portrait with great affection and humour." The Financial Times highlights his unique perspective, describing his work as an "extraordinary tale of adventure and enterprise." Fellow Arts Societies consistently rate Aslan as an exceptionally engaging, clear-eyed speaker who masterfully blends social history, art restoration, and personal anecdote.

Join us for what promises to be an unforgettable afternoon of vivid storytelling, brilliant design history, and a rare glimpse into the resilience of Central Asian craftsmanship.