Bringing the History of Bookbinding to Life through Augmented Reality Applications

As part of the annual EEBEP 2025 Conference, on Friday, June 13, from 14:45 to 16:15, a bookbinding workshop will take place at the Kalambaka Library, organized by the Onassis Library. The workshop is designed for children and teenagers aged 11 to 17.

The aim of the workshop is to introduce young participants (and curious adults!) to the history of bookbinding, help them become familiar with its materials and techniques, and — thanks to the possibilities of augmented reality — bring to life historical printer’s marks, design their own logos, and create their own handmade notebook.

Workshop Description

Do you think books hide secrets only within their pages? At the Onassis Library, the history and art of bookbinding begin with inspiration from the Epirote printers of the diaspora and come to life through augmented reality applications.

This is an artistic, interactive workshop where history unfolds on your screen. Paper, leather covers, clasps, bone tools, adhesives, and presses will become your tools as you practice a craft that may capture your imagination forever.

To succeed, you’ll need to tame two-headed eagles, mermaids with twin tails, wild bees, furious griffins, sea monsters, and centaurs — all of which will come to life before your eyes through new technology, sparking your imagination and unleashing your creativity.

Which emblem would you choose to print in order to leave your mark on history?

During the workshop, you’ll have the chance to animate the printer’s marks of historical Ioannina-based printers such as Nikolaos Glykys, Nikolaos Sarros, Dimitrios and Panos Theodosiou, and Andreas Iouilianos using your mobile phone or tablet and the augmented reality app Artivive.

Don’t miss the chance to craft your own notebook using everything you’ve seen, learned, and all the creativity within you.

Workshop facilitators: Babis Leggas, Stella Legga
Digital AR creations: Renia Papathanasiou

Those interested in participating are kindly asked to register by June 6, 2025, by calling the Kalambaka Library at (+30) 24320 23041-3.
Maximum number of participants: 15.