Not just books, but small printed masterpieces capable of opening the world of reading to blind and partially sighted people. So today the Braille Printing House of the Tuscany Region presented itself at the Turin International Book Fair, where its activity was presented and some initiatives planned for the hundred years of this reality were illustrated in preview, starting with “La Fabbrica dell ‘equality’, the new exhibition and multifunctional space.
The Printing House, as highlighted by the councilor for social policies who participated in the meeting, is a place where through books bridges of accessibility and relationships are created, opportunities for coexistence between differences and where access is made possible to reading to many people, in particular boys and girls, boys and girls, who need to use their fingers to read. It is – you added – a job that has been carried out with artisan wisdom and capacity for innovation for almost a hundred years.
Precisely on the occasion of the centenary, which will arrive in 2026, the printing house will continue to grow and develop with the new exhibition space.
“The equality factory”, of which the architect-designer Fabio Fornasari has anticipated some aspects and functions today, will be a multifunctional environment that will allow you to come into contact with the world of braille, but also to carry out innovative experiences in the world of invisible to the eyes. It will also be a space suitable for hosting interactive workshops for schools.
The Equality Factory is financed with regional resources for a total investment of 700,000 euros.
Founded in 1926 by Aurelio Nicolodi, and becoming regional in 1979, the Braille Printing House is still today the only example of a public structure in this field in Italy.
With a continually expanding catalog of 4,000 texts and widespread transcription of school texts for blind and partially sighted students, the Stamperia plays a fundamental role in inclusion and participation.
The public of the Book Fair, after today’s meeting, will be able to continue to learn about the activities of the Stamperia in its stand where, until the end of the event, it will be possible to see some of the most significant current prints and some historical specimens, with a special focus on Puccini’s centenary. And where it will also be possible to directly experiment with braille printing using a small printer that will reproduce their name for visitors who wish.
NOTE. The press release was drafted in an impersonal form in compliance with the provisions on equal conditions adopted with the calling of the electoral rallies for the European and administrative elections of 8 and 9 June 2024.
