What made 15th century Melaka one of the most remarkable intercultural spaces in history?
Our fourth session explores the Sultanate of Melaka — a thriving port city where merchants from China, India, Arabia, Java and beyond met, traded and coexisted. At its peak, over 80 languages were spoken in its markets. Melaka was not just a trading post — it was a living laboratory of intercultural encounter.
The session will include: — A map of the most important regions and trade routes — An introduction to key peoples and communities of Melaka — Specific examples of how interculturality was expressed: textiles, writings, trade documents and stories, money, language as intercultural bridge — Reference to Cynthia Green’s articles on Indian cotton and global trade, and India’s role in fashion history — Key positive and challenging features of Melakan interculturality — Audience participation: reactions, additional knowledge, ideas — Discussion: how can aspects of Melakan interculturality inspire us today? — A curated further reading list for those who want to explore more
Presented by: Cynthia Green, Sebastian Jabłoński, Lidia Wiśniewska with a SIETAR Polska guest speaker