Three days of lectures devoted to a revolutionary invention: the printing press

Johannes Gutenberg was one of the most important intellectual figures of modern Europe. Many historians even consider him to be the most important figure of the second millennium of the Common Era because his invention, the mobile printing press, completely transformed how knowledge is transmitted and science, literature and thought would not have been the same without a method for the automated printing of books in large quantities. Gutenberg died 550 years ago, on 3 February 1468, and many European cities are taking part in a program of celebrations and commemorations. Barcelona is no exception, and from 1 to 3 February, the city’s Design Museum and BAU (University Center for Design of Barcelona) are holding a series of events to commemorate the date, followed later on in the spring by the Biblioteca de Catalunya national library.

The activities scheduled for 1 to 3 February are of two types: on the first of the month the Design Museum will host three inaugural lectures given by the museum's director, Pilar Vélez, Alan Marshall, who will speak on the subject of Gutenberg’s legacy, and Erik Spiekermann, who will talk about digital printing. In addition, an exhibition on the history of printing will be inaugurated, which can be visited at BAU from 2 February, accompanied by a series of screenings, workshops and additional conferences on issues such as Gothic typography and the creative process of printing. And from May on there will be an exhibition devoted to incunables, documents dating from before 1501, at the Biblioteca de Catalunya.

You’ll find more information on the Gutenberg 2018 website. To participate, you must register in advance.