About 5000 years ago, writing was born, a marker to distinguish "prehistory" from "history", which is the knowledge of the past based on written documents. In the history of mankind, written culture has gone through several great moments, one of which took place at the end of the Middle Ages: the development of printing, which allowed for a vast diffusion of written documents.
But long before printing, the written word underwent important developments during the Middle Ages and especially around the 13th century. At that time, the written word experienced a 'boom' and reached all spheres of medieval society. It was a revolution.
By placing it in the long term history of writing in the Western world, this exhibition aims to focus on this pivotal time that shook up medieval society. What remains of it today? A diversity of documents, media and tools imagined or developed at that time... Thousands of words written by thousands of hands that took up the pen and never let it go.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
House of the medieval Mosan Heritage, Place du Bailliage 16 5500 Bouvignes House of the medieval Mosan HeritageAbout 5000 years ago, writing was born, a marker to distinguish “prehistory” from “history”, which is the knowledge of the past based on written documents. In the history of mankind, written culture has gone through several great moments, one of which took place at the end of the Middle Ages: the development of printing, which allowed for a vast diffusion of written documents.
But long before printing, the written word underwent important developments during the Middle Ages and especially around the 13th century. At that time, the written word experienced a ‘boom’ and reached all spheres of medieval society. It was a revolution.
By placing it in the long term history of writing in the Western world, this exhibition aims to focus on this pivotal time that shook up medieval society. What remains of it today? A diversity of documents, media and tools imagined or developed at that time… Thousands of words written by thousands of hands that took up the pen and never let it go.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
