Boektotaal is a bookbinding and restoration studio located in the Boekbindcentrum in Echten (Drenthe). Boektotaal specializes in offering various bookbinding-related workshops and courses (including on-site), and they also sell everything related to hand bookbinding, such as various tools, decorative papers, bone folders, bookbinding glue, and linen for covering books.
Aaldert de Lange has been passionate about books and bookbinding since childhood. At the age of eleven, he helped his parents sell books in their antiquarian bookstore. Because his father repaired books with Bison glue, which caused the books to no longer open properly, Aaldert decided to learn bookbinding. In addition to teaching workshops and selling bookbinding materials and tools, he also restores books at the Boekbindcentrum in Echten.
For over 20 years, Tanja Rakic has been involved in teaching bookbinding courses and workshops. She also enjoys organizing bookbinding-related events and trips, such as a workshop at the Abbey of Berne and the Bookbinding Fair in Sint-Niklaas (Belgium).
During the festival, Boektotaal offers various workshops. For example, you can create a book with a leather cover or a woven book.
For centuries, people around the world have enjoyed paper cutting. It’s fun and relaxing, with people of all ages creating beautiful artworks. With so many cutters, there are countless variations. This unique craft is rightfully included in the Inventory of Intangible Heritage in the Netherlands. The Dutch Association for Paper Cutting is the meeting place for both hobbyists and professional artists.
Everyone has used scissors on a piece of paper at some point, but in this workshop, you’ll take it a step further. After a brief introduction, you’ll learn the basic techniques from experienced cutters. You’ll then apply these techniques to a simple project on your own. At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home one or two cut-out artworks. Success is guaranteed.
The workshop leaders are members of the Dutch Association for Paper Cutting, specially trained to teach interested individuals the intricacies of the craft. Most of them regularly exhibit their work.
Discover the beauty and possibilities of paper recycling. Learn techniques to transform everyday objects using paper pulp, giving items like vases, bowls, stools, and lamps a unique and personal touch.
The workshop starts with a brief introduction. We’ll quickly move into the hands-on part: preparing the paper pulp, experimenting, applying the pulp to your brought objects, and finishing them.
Note: Please bring an object you would like to personalize!
Debbie Wijskamp studied Product Design at ArtEZ University of the Arts in Arnhem. After graduating in 2009, she began her design practice. Since then, she has designed and produced her own collection of handmade interior products and art objects, and has worked for companies and brands. In 2016, she opened her studio, gallery, and shop in the Fashion & Design District ‘Het Modekwartier’ in Arnhem. She offers courses and workshops from her studio and also provides guest lectures in art education.
“I draw inspiration from everyday objects and materials around us, pushing the boundaries of materials to create new possibilities for items like furniture and other interior products. Much of my work is made from upcycled or natural materials, and I have a special interest in working with paper.”
For centuries, people around the world have enjoyed the art of paper cutting. It’s both fun and relaxing, with young and old creating beautiful artworks. Paper cutting is essentially drawing with scissors. You free your design, decorations, and letters from the paper with your scissors. The variations are as diverse as the cutters themselves.
Everyone has used scissors on a piece of paper at some point, but in this workshop, you’ll take it a step further. After a brief introduction to the art of paper cutting, you’ll learn the basic techniques from an experienced cutter. You will then apply these techniques to create your own cutwork from silhouette paper. You’ll also learn how to carefully mount your artwork, and at the end of the workshop, you’ll take home a framed piece of art. Make sure to reserve a spot on your wall at home!
The Dutch Association for Paper Art is a meeting place for both hobbyists and professional artists in the field. The workshop instructors are members of this association and are specially trained to teach interested individuals the intricacies of the craft. Most of them regularly exhibit their work.
Paper cutting art has been listed in the Inventory of Intangible Heritage in the Netherlands since 2013.
In Morocco, the art of geometry is referred to as at-Tasṭīr and it means the ‘art of straight lines’. Each Moroccan ornament and each geometric shape carries a special colloquial name and a story. This masterclass will unfold these untold methods and narratives and will shed light on the artisanal perspectives.
Using a compass, divider and ruler, we’ll learn how to draw a variety of geometric ornaments original to Morocco. We’ll draw together, ask questions and share—all the while, visually visiting Morocco alongside artisan & author Hamza El Fasiki to gain a better understanding of the cultural and practical applications of the art. This masterclass is open to anyone interested in learning about geometric arts and celebrating the richness of arts and crafts of the kingdom of Morocco, and Fes Medina in particular! You get to keep your drawings.
Hamza El Fasiki is an artisan and author. Hamza has apprenticed under his father at Dar-Attamania Studio in Fes, Morocco between 2011 and 2021. Hamza holds an MA degree on Moroccan Cultural Studies with an academic research focus on the cultural history of Moroccan traditional crafts from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fes. Hamza is specialist in traditional Moroccan geometric patterns, brass engraving, and bookbinding. He has also published academic works in the field and traveled around 16 countries while learning and teaching Moroccan culture.
Ebru art, also known as paper marbling, is an ancient painting technique that has been around for 1500 years. During the workshop, we practice ebru art in the most traditional manner, using water, paint, and brushes, exactly as our ancestors did 1500 years ago.
Okan Akin is an artist born and raised in Turkey. He completed his art education in 1991, specializing in textile design. He worked as a teacher for five years at a vocational high school in Turkey. In 1997, Okan moved to the Netherlands. In 2006, he decided to establish his studio, Atelier Okan Akin, in the art community at NDSM Loods, Amsterdam. Here, he has continued to work with enthusiasm and passion as an artist.
“I learned traditional art techniques at an art academy in Turkey. Alongside traditional art, I also studied modern art. My ultimate challenge is applying and combining general art techniques in my contemporary work. Ebru art is an example of this.”
Print your own poster with wooden letters? You can do that! GWA (Grafische Werkplaats Amsterdam) is bringing a small printing press, antique wooden letters, and ink to the Ambacht in Beeld Festival. With these tools, you can design and print your own personalized poster.
GWA houses an extensive collection of traditional graphic materials at their workshop nearby in the NDSM Loods: printing presses, wooden letters, lead type, and everything you need for linocut, woodcut, and bookbinding. The organization offers courses and workshops for anyone interested in exploring traditional printing techniques. This includes school classes, graphic design students, artists, and handmade print enthusiasts. Step away from the computer!
This workshop is open to participants aged 8 and above. You’ll work together with one other participant to create your own poster. The poster won’t be immediately dry, so it’s best to leave it hanging for as long as possible before taking it home or picking it up later at the workshop.
(if you read this you’re crazy! hahaha!)
The Amsterdam-based artist Daan Wille, also known as Blazin, has mastered calligraffiti, a fusion of calligraphy and graffiti. Inspired by the renowned graffiti artist Shoe, Daan has evolved into a versatile designer creating logos, typefaces, and especially calligraphy.
In this workshop, you’ll get a close look at Blazin’s techniques and create your own artwork with his guidance, featuring your name.
We first offered this workshop in 2015 in collaboration with the Street Art Museum Amsterdam. Daan also conducted workshops during Craft in Focus New York in 2017 and 2019. Due to its success, we are offering it again this year in Amsterdam!
Make a booklet with a decorative binding called ‘the rope’.
The Keith Smith method utilises Zaansch Bord (rag paper) as the cover material. This unique paper originates from the renowned paper mill De Schoolmeester, which holds the distinction of being the sole wind-powered paper mill globally. De Schoolmeester exclusively crafts this paper using recycled cotton rags.
Aaldert de Lange’s upbringing was steeped in a passion for books and bookbinding. By age 11, he was already assisting his parents in selling books at their antiquarian bookshop. Observing that his father’s book repairs using Bison sealant often hindered the books from opening, Aaldert began learning the art of bookbinding. In addition to conducting workshops and offering bookbinding materials and tools, he executes book repairs at the Bookbinding Centre in Echten.
Tanja Rakic has actively engaged in offering courses and workshops in the field of bookbinding for more than 20 years. Additionally, she enjoys arranging bookbinding-related events and trips, including organizing a workshop at Berne Abbey and participating in the Bookbinding Fair in Sint-Niklaas (B).
Boektotaal is a bookbinding and restoration workshop located in the Bookbinding Centre in Echten (Dr.). Boektotaal specializes in giving various bookbinding-related workshops and courses (also on location), and sells everything in the field of manual bookbinding, such as various tools, decorative paper, folding legs, bookbinding glue, and linen for covering a book.
During this workshop, you will work with pre-printed paper and parchment to create a replica of a 1425 almanac called the ‘Kalendarium Perpetual’.
This almanac documented lunar eclipses from 1425 to 1462 and included illustrations of moon cycles. The almanac was designed as a ‘pouch-book’ or ‘belt-book’, making it convenient to carry by attaching it to a belt. Notably, the booklet’s pages are folded three times, resulting in a larger page surface. The content is written on one side, and the folded pages are bound at the top with a narrow tapered vellum cover.
Aaldert de Lange’s upbringing was steeped in a passion for books and bookbinding. By age 11, he was already assisting his parents in selling books at their antiquarian bookshop. Observing that his father’s book repairs using Bison sealant often hindered the books from opening, Aaldert began learning the art of bookbinding. In addition to conducting workshops and offering bookbinding materials and tools, he executes book repairs at the Bookbinding Centre in Echten.
Tanja Rakic has actively engaged in offering courses and workshops in the field of bookbinding for more than 20 years. Additionally, she enjoys arranging bookbinding-related events and trips, including organizing a workshop at Berne Abbey and participating in the Bookbinding Fair in Sint-Niklaas (B).
Boektotaal is a bookbinding and restoration workshop located in the Bookbinding Centre in Echten (Dr.). Boektotaal specializes in giving various bookbinding-related workshops and courses (also on location), and sells everything in the field of manual bookbinding, such as various tools, decorative paper, folding legs, bookbinding glue, and linen for covering a book.
Festival address:
NDSM Loods
NDSM-Plein 85
1033 WC Amsterdam
Postal address:
Stichting Ambacht in Beeld
Kalf 158
1509AH Zaandam
The Netherlands
