We need more people trained to use and maintain typesetting machines.
Typa in Tartu, Estonia, Grafiska Museet Helsingborg, and the Friends of the Fjeld-Ljom Press Museum in Røros, Norway, are joining forces in a new project – connecting interested individuals to collaborate on the recruitment and training in the operation of typesetting machines. We will apply to the Nordic Culture Point for Short-Term Networks. However, the project will be open to participation from other European countries.
The Friends of the Fjeld-Ljom Press Museum concluded a project partially funded by the Council of Europe / EU Commission in March, with a final meeting at the Museum für Druckkunst in Leipzig. We experienced significant and widespread interest in learning to use, repair, and maintain various typesetting machines.
The project demonstrated that collaboration on such training across linguistic and cultural differences does not pose significant problems. On the contrary, diverse backgrounds and knowledge can serve as a source of inspiration for all participants. These machines are a shared heritage across Europe.
There are still individuals with good knowledge of typesetting machines, but a large proportion of this expertise has long since reached retirement age. Therefore, it is important to carry out this recruitment and training of new enthusiasts as broadly and widely as practically possible. By spreading and combining our knowledge across the Nordic, Baltic and Europe more broadly, we hope to overcome gaps in knowledge, by sharing our remaining skills across specialists. We have the opportunity to ensure that future generations will have individuals able to operate and maintain typesetting machines and thus preserve a small part of this field.
If we receive the necessary funding, we plan to start the project in 2025, with linecasting gatherings and workshops in Spring and Autumn.
