Multiplicity of Oriental Bookmaking Traditions and Conservation
Zakynthos, 9-10 October 2013
Workshop organization: Laura Parodi(laurae.parodi"AT"gmail.com)
Local organizer: Nikolas Sarris(sarris1"AT"otenet.gr)
The COMSt Team 5: Conservation and Preservation of Oriental Manuscripts organized its fourth workshop focusing on Multiplicity of Oriental Bookmaking Traditions and Conservation in Technological Educational Institute of the Ionian Islands, Department for the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage, Zakynthos, Greece, on 9 and 10 October 2013.
The field of book history and the archaeology of Oriental manuscripts is only just developing. It is therefore not surprising that the various traditions were first distinguished by typifying each tradition as an archetype. As a consequence, there now seems to be a tendency to talk about the Syriac bookbinding method or the Byzantine tradition, whereas these separate traditions display a multitude of techniques and structures. It is important to be aware of and understand the heterogeneity within the various Oriental manuscript traditions, especially for conservators responsible for the preservation of these manuscripts.
This final workshop of Team 5 focused on the varieties encountered in the diverse Oriental traditions and aims to relate these to specific conservation issues. The workshop aims to define avenues for further research on the subject, which is evidently required.
Please click to download the workshop report (PDF).
Programme
Wednesday, October 9th
09.00-09.20
Welcome of the participants, introduction to the workshop and practical remarks
09.20-10.40
I session: Case studies on best practices on the conservation of Oriental manuscripts
Marco Di Bella, Yemeni and early Islamic bindings
Flavio Marzo, Coptic manuscripts conservation
Neil McManus, Hebrew manuscripts conservation
10.40-11.00: Coffee break
11.00-12.40
II session: Case studies and training on conservation of Oriental manuscripts
Francois Vinourd, Greek-Byzantine manuscripts conservation
George Boudalis, Greek parchment fragments (to be confirmed)
Irene Zanella, conservation training in Mauritania and Iraq
Nikolas Sarris, Ethiopic manuscripts conservation
Ira Rabin, analytical techniques in aid of conservation of Oriental manuscripts
12.40 - 14.00: Lunch break
14.00-15.40
III session: Case studies on conservation and preservation of Oriental manuscripts
Karin Scheper, Islamic manuscripts conservation
Paul Hepworth, Islamic manuscripts conservation
Arietta Revithi, Preservation and conservation of Greek manuscripts
Ewa Balicka-Witakowska, Ethiopic manuscripts preservation
Manfred Mayer, Digitization of manuscripts
15.40-16.00: Coffee Break
16.00- 17.00
Conclusions and open discussion
17.00-17.15
Introduction to the editorial work of the following morning
20.00: Dinner
Thursday, October 10th
09.00-15.00
Editorial meeting of team 5
15.00-16.00
Visit to the manuscripts collection of the 16th c. Monastery of St. Dionysios, centre of Zakynthos
16.00-22.00
Excursion and dinner
