About Salaam Festival presents Book Binding Workshop
Craft your own notebook – A hands-on journey into traditional bookbinding.
In collaboration with Yunus Emre Institute, step into the timeless art of bookbinding and create your very own handmade notebook. This immersive, face-to-face workshop blends practical skills with cultural discovery, offering a rare chance to experience the craft as it has been practiced for centuries.
Under the guidance of expert Ayşe Kaya, you will be introduced to the essential tools and materials of the trade, from textured traditional papers to fine threads. You’ll learn how to:
• Prepare and fold the pages,
• Stitch a strong and elegant spine,
• Assemble and secure the cover,
• Finish your notebook with a marbled paper design—a decorative art form deeply rooted in Ottoman heritage.
Alongside the hands-on process, you’ll also gain insight into the history of bookmaking and the symbolism behind its patterns and motifs. The session combines creativity with tradition, allowing you to appreciate how function and beauty meet in the art of binding. By the end of the workshop, you will leave not only with a unique notebook of your own creation but also with a deeper appreciation of traditional craftsmanship and the confidence to continue exploring book arts independently.
Artist Bio
Ayşe Kaya, trained as a book conservator at the Süleymaniye Manuscript Library and Book Hospital in Istanbul, has extensive experience in Islamic manuscript conservation. She currently works at the British Library, preserving historical collections. Previously, she contributed to conservation projects at institutions such as the House of Lords Library, UK Parliament, Southbank Centre, SOAS University, and the Royal Society of Medicine.
Ayşe passionately showcases Turkish bookbinding ornamentation techniques in her workshops, guiding participants in crafting their own personalised miniature books and deepening their appreciation for this centuries-old art form.
