The decision to undertake this profession may have been a sort of coincidence, but I can say that nothing better would have happened to me. Once I get my degree in biology, I decided to take part in the selection for a professional course organized by the Liguria region and I’ve been lucky enough to become one of the few winners.
The course was held in a former paper mill that today has become the Paper Museum in Mele and its aim was to recover an ancient craft which has made famous, throughout Europe in te past centuries, the republic of Genoa: this craft was the handmade production of paper extracted from textile fibers.
In the surroundings of Voltri and Mele, very close to the city of Genoa, the paper production was literally a cult for at least three centuries, and has supported the economy of an entire population.
At the end of my course, they gave me the opportunity to access funds from the European Union and start a craft based business inside the museum. This was a huge chance that can’t be missed, so I started the production of an extremely rare paper, made sheet by sheet and to 100% with textile fibers such as cotton.
Moreover, I am also in charge of managing the Museum didactic activities but I’m mostly focused on the production of paper artifacts: leather bindings, envelopes and cards, paper for wedding announcements and valuable correspondence.
Working inside a magical place and follow in the footsteps of the disappeared artisans from Mele, makes me very proud and confident in the possibility that the recovery of an ancient craft like this can offer, albeit the great effort I have to make everyday.