Improving skills and management collection care in Monastic Libraries. Deir al-Surian Library, Wadi el-Natrun, Egypt
This project, started in 2019 at the behest of the Levantine Foundation, involves Recanati and Restauro in partnership in the creation of a training program financed by The British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, in partnership with the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sports. The training, divided into four modules, was an opportunity for […]
This project, started in 2019 at the behest of the Levantine Foundation, involves Recanati and Restauro in partnership in the creation of a training program financed by The British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, in partnership with the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sports. The training, divided into four modules, was an opportunity for the monks responsible for the care of the monastic collections to acquire specific knowledge on conservation.
Reportage
The lessons, held within the Deir al-Surian Library, in Wadi el-Natrun under the guidance of Giovanni Pagani, Elizabeth Sobczynski and François Vinourd, provided skills in the field of collection management and ethical book conservation methodologies ancients with particular attention to monastic collections, and always looking for dialogue and development of awareness that helps to understand the purpose of conservation and the meaning of the collections.
The training, aimed at monks with relevant skills, was given in collaboration with P. Amoon, head librarian of Deir al-Surian, focusing attention on the study of Syriac, Coptic and Byzantine bindings, providing effective support in the management of the precious collection.
Through the organization of a seminar on practical approaches to conservation, it was possible to give monks from other monasteries the opportunity to learn about the heritage of Deir al-Surian, creating a significant moment of sharing.