Those that remain are hard to find and are but a shadow of their former selves. In light of the above, the work of the Vevče Craftsman Workshop is an encouraging and bright-shining beacon in the dark. It is continuing the authentic medieval paper-making tradition.
The very beginnings of this art go as far back as 1579, when the first paper mill was built in the eastern suburbs of Ljubljana. Handmade paper reflects the cultural environment, has a rich symbolic value, and is connected to its roots and ethnic symbols.
While it used to be part of the Papirnica Vevče paper factory, VEVČE d.o.o. has been an independent business for 20 years and makes handmade paper based on the 400 year-old Slovenian tradition. This is unique, even in Europe (the first paper mills for producing paper pulp were built in Germany in 1400 and only 179 years later a paper mill was built in Slovenia near Fužine Castle). The last 20 years saw several important projects, including the printing of the Dalmatin's Bible facsimile, which was printed in 100 copies, and several other, smaller projects. VEVČE is preserving this jewel of Slovenian handicrafts by creating envelopes, invitations, thank you letters, acknowledgements, diplomas, and by hosting special events.
The craftsman workshop has retained its original logo of the old Fužine-Kisel paper mill, which was built in 1579 and which manufactured paper from cotton and flax fibres. Cotton, which is used in the paper-making industry only for top-quality art paper, has many advantages compared to cellulose: it is more durable, does not turn yellow with age, withstands higher pressure when printing various graphic techniques, and allows for better colour texture application.
Creating perfection
Handmade paper can be easily recognized by its irregular "deckle edges". Each sheet is manufactured separately in the desired size and shape, so there is no need for additional cutting. It is therefore a precious and unique product whose handmade production requires many steps: the craftsman first prepares the cotton pulp in a special Hollander beater machine and adds water while taking into account the desired paper weight. Then, he screens the solution by submerging the special mesh in the solution and drawing it out horizontally, while shaking it slightly to remove excess water and to allow uniform coating of the mesh. Next, the paper mixture is separated from the mesh. This process is called couching. The craftsman delicately turns the mesh and presses it on the damp cloth. The damp cloth absorbs water and at the same time it separates the wet mat of fibre from the mesh. The mesh is clean and ready for the manufacturing of the next sheet. But the "sheet" on the damp cloth is still not paper, but resembles a wet sponge mat. It needs to undergo high pressure in order to remove an additional 70% of water. Then it is carefully removed from the damp cloth and dried in the drying room. When it is completely dry, it is soaked in hot animal skin-based glue, pressed again to remove excessive glue, and dried again. Lastly, it is dampened slightly and rolled out to form smooth sheets. The stacked sheets are pressed in manual presses for some time to allow fibres to completely set. Only then is the paper ready for various types of printing, colouring, writing, and calligraphy. It can also be shaped into various unique products, offered by our workshop.
To avoid predicaments at an award ceremony, the Craftsman Workshop Vevče offers various files for awarding and storing documents, diplomas, acknowledgements, business invitations and greeting cards, wedding invitations, menus, writing kits, envelopes, and special book editions.
The Vevče Craftsman workshop has supplied the paper for printing facsimiles of extraordinary literary works from the distant and not so distant past: BIBLIJA (Bible) – Jurij Dalmatin; facsimile of the original 1584 edition (publisher: DZS d.d.)., HIŠNA POSTILA (House Postil) – Primož Trubar; facsimile of the original 1595 edition (publisher: DZS d.d.), EVANGELIJ SV. MATEVŽA (St. Matthew's Gospel) – Primož Trubar; facsimile of the original 1555 edition (publisher: DZS d.d.), MALI KATEKIZEM (Small Catechism) – Franc Temlin; facsimile of the original 1715 edition (publisher: Pomurska založba), KRST PRI SAVICI (Baptism on the Savica) – France Prešeren; facsimile of the 1936 edition (publisher: Založba Ethno), KOBILARNA LIPICA (Lipica Stud Farm) – monograph (publisher: Vevče d.o.o.) and KAPITAL (Capital) – Irwin (publisher: Neue Slowenische Kunst)
Vesna Žarkovič, SINFO