Category: Workshop

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Arabic Calligraphy with Amjed Rifaie

amjed rifaie

Rome, April 2018 — On April 21st, at the Italian Geographical Society, in collaboration with the Iraqi Embassy in Rome, my colleagues and I organized a one-day workshop on Arabic calligraphy with Amjed Rifaie. Originally from Tikrit, Iraq, he is a calligrapher who has been based in Rome for almost ten years.

The workshop took place in the peaceful setting of the Society’s historic library, housed in a sixteenth-century building in the heart of Villa Celimontana, not far from the Colosseum.

arabic calligraphy
arabic calligraphy
arabic calligraphy with amjed rifaie

Twelve participants attended the Arabic calligraphy workshop with Amjed Rifaie, during which they learned about the history of Arabic calligraphy, its different styles, and the fundamentals of the technique.

Demonstrating the use of the qalam, Amjed explained how to draw the letters according to the rules of this fascinating, centuries-old art form. Music accompanied the session, helping participants to concentrate and to try their hand at this challenging practice. During the lunch break, they were also able to enjoy delicious Arabic dishes prepared by Iraqi chef Waqar Younus.

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The Conservation of Byobu

conservation of byobu

Berlin, July 2017 — Last week I was in Berlin again. After almost three years, I returned to attend a workshop on the conservation of byōbu Japanese folding screens at the Museum für Asiatische Kunst in Dahlem.

Once again, I had the opportunity to meet my teachers from Japan as well as colleagues from all over the world. During the week, I learned about complex objects such as byōbu and the traditional techniques used to construct and restore them. It was, once more, a wonderful and valuable experience for both my professional and personal growth.

This five-day workshop on the conservation of byōbu is intended for conservators and restorers who already have an advanced knowledge of Japanese conservation and restoration techniques. Applicants are required to have previously attended either the course “Basics of Japanese Paper and Silk Conservation” or similar workshops organized by the Tokyo National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, such as the JPC program.

Participants learn the fundamental techniques of Japanese paper conservation, the structure of Japanese screens such as byōbu (folding screens), and methods for analyzing damage to these objects through hands-on practical work conducted under the guidance of Japanese specialists.

conservation of byobu
conservation of byobu

In the photographs: moments from the workshops; life in Berlin.

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A workshop on Himalayan Paper in Hamburg

Hamburg, November 2016 – This week Federica Delìa went to Hamburg, Germany, to the Centre for the Study of Manuscript Cultures, where she had the pleasure of meeting once again passionate scholars and researchers investigating Himalayan papers, their handmade production processes, and their trade routes across the highest regions on Earth.

Such a wonderful workshop!

In the pictures: presentations during the workshops; the port of Hamburg.

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Workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation


Berlin, December 2014 – This December Federica Delìa could attend two workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation Tradition organized by the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, with the support of the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin.

The Workshops on Japanese Paper Conservation are structured as follows:

  • A basic-level workshop, aimed at introducing Japanese art objects on paper and silk through lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises conducted by Japanese specialists. The workshop focuses on mounting formats, materials and techniques, general principles of conservation and restoration, and includes practical exercises on the handling of scrolls and screens.
  • An advanced-level workshop, designed for conservators, restorers, and conservation specialists who already have advanced knowledge of Japanese conservation and restoration techniques. This workshop introduces the analysis of damages in Japanese hanging scrolls, emergency measures such as reinforcement with paper strips (orefuse in Japanese), the removal and reattachment of roller rods, and restoration techniques such as lining with Japanese paper through hands-on practical exercises.
japanese paper conservation
japanese paper conservation
japanese paper conservation

In the pictures: moments from the workshops.