Parchment Production Workshop

(CODICUM + NAF Malta+ Malta Public Abattoir)

Objectives

Practical Understanding: Guide participants through the core stages of traditional parchment production, from raw hide to finished writing support
Material Awareness: Develop hands-on familiarity with the physical and chemical transformations involved in parchment making
Cross-disciplinary Dialogue: Bring together conservators, scientists, and historical researchers to deepen understanding of parchment as both a craft product and an analytical subject
Shared Experience: Each participant produces and takes home parchment from goat and sheep skin, treated with two different surface methods

Important Notes

Participants will work in pairs, sharing two frames (one goat skin, one sheep skin)
Basic manual skills are essential — be prepared for a smelly, damp, and slippery environment, especially on Day 1
Required personal equipment: Appropriate work clothes, rubber boots, gloves, and safety goggles (plan luggage accordingly)
Some disposable protective equipment (plastic aprons, gloves, safety goggles) will be available for loan
All hides come from animals slaughtered and skinned in the slaughterhouse under hygiene standards; hides have been pre-soaked in lime solution (1–2 weeks prior) by colleagues in Malta

Location & Travel

Venue

The workshop will take place in a dedicated area within the slaughterhouse complex in Marsa, Malta, separate from the meat processing facilities, specifically designated for parchment production.

The Wednesday evening seminar will be held at the Notarial Registers Archive, Valletta.

Getting There

By air

Malta International Airport (MLA) is the sole airport, with regular connections to major European hubs. From the airport, Valletta is approximately 20 minutes by taxi or bus.

Local transport

Participants will meet daily at 08:30 at a designated meeting point in Valletta and/or Floriana (exact location to be communicated closer to the date). Transport to the Marsa workshop site will be arranged from there.

Accommodation

Participants are strongly advised to seek accommodation in Valletta or the neighbouring town of Floriana for convenient access to the daily meeting point.

Arrival & Departure

Arrival: Sunday 26th April (morning recommended, to attend the welcome reception)
Departure: Thursday 30th April (afternoon) or Friday 1st May (note: 1 May is a public holiday in Malta)

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