The Onassis Library Opens Its Doors To Schools

We know that you may have got used to reading from your computer screen and your tablet, but here, in the Onassis Library, you will have the chance to discover the secrets of books and typography that we believe you will find fascinating. Because this year we have designed five workshops for you and your schoolmates that concern the development of writing and the arts that are relevant to the creation of books.

In "The History of Writing", you will find out how people communicated with symbols and systems of writing from the era of cave dwellers until the development of typography, and you will make your own “rare” manuscript with pens and ink.

In "The History of Typography/Printing", we will visit a traditional printer’s, so that you can observe how a book is made from start to finish.

In "The History of Engraving", we will visit The School of Fine Arts where visual artists will introduce us to the art of engraving and help you make your own engraving.

You can also choose the workshop "The History of Bookbinding" to learn how to turn mere pages into a book.

Or else, "Make a Digital Book", a digital edition with interactive material, i.e. an e-book, to bring us back to the present.

Whatever workshop arouses your interest will be the beginning of a voyage through time that will introduce you in an experiential way to the enchanting world of books.

The Onassis Library is a vault of books waiting for you to discover it. Imagine a trip through a world of paper smells, a stroll around 3000 rare books dating from the 15th to the 19th century, which make up the Greek Collection of the Library and the 4600 manuscripts that comprise the Cavafy Archive. Your visit is also an opportunity to look around the neoclassical building that houses the library in the centre of Athens and admire works of art from our collection before you immerse yourself in the Library.