The Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders invites you to participate in the International Exhibition of Artistic Bookbinding
Scripta manent VII
„In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt’s Music“
11 September – 16 November 2025
at Great Guild Hall of Estonian History Museum.

Please download the following file:
Reglement – pdf file

We are glad to inform You that the international bookbinding art exhibition Scripta Manent, held every five years, will take place for the seventh time in 2025. With this exhibition we continue the tradition of international bookbinding exhibitions started in 1995.

This time we are celebrating the 90th birthday of our world-famous Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and the 500th anniversary of the first book published in Estonian.

The printed texts of Arvo Pärt`s music
The texts of Arvo Pärt`s music „In principio. The Word in Arvo Pärt’s Music“ are printed for this exhibition. It is the second edition of this book. The book sheds light on a significant aspect of Pärt’s creation – on texts in the composer’s work, on the selection of the texts and also on the Word in a broader and deeper sense. This book brings together 81 texts in nine languages, complete with English translations. The works have been arranged chronologically, encompassing Pärt’s work over almost 70 years. The handwritten material used in the design of the book, including the illustrations in the middle section, have all been selected from the archives of the composer – from sketches, manuscripts and music diaries.

Arvo Pärt is one of those world-famous composers whose creative output has significantly changed the way we understand the nature of music. He has said that the Sound is his Word. In compiling the book, the texts have been intentionally left without comment and only provided with basic information about the making of the work and its premiere. A glimpse inside Arvo Pärt’s work with regard to texts is provided in the introduction by Toomas Siitan and the foreword by the editors of the book. You will find more information about the book, Arvo Pärt`s life and works on the page www.arvopart.ee/en and listen to his music .

200 numbered copies are printed on 120 g/m2 Arena rough extra white paper thanks to Estonian Cultural Endowment. Unbound sections will be sent to each participant. The book consists of 396 pages and the page size is 148 x 240 mm. Layout is designed by Angelika Schneider.

Participants of the exhibition: Bookbinders and art students all around the world are invited to create original art bookbindings with high artistic and technical skills. We welcome classical, innovative bindings and also book objects that do not weigh more than 3 kg.

The participation fee is 145 euros which covers two deliveries and the catalog. The first delivery comprises the printed sections and the second one the return of the binding together with the printed catalog. If you order 5 copies, the price for one copy will be 125 euros. In this case please make one bank transfer of 625 euros and write all 5 names to the reference line.

Please make your payment via bank transfer to:
Eesti Koitekunstnike Uhendus MTU (Estonian Association of Designer Bookbinders)
Swedbank IBAN code: EE032200001120170592
SWIFT code: HABAEE2X
Address of the bank: Liivalaia Street 8, 15040 Tallinn
Reference: First and Family name or 5 names of participants SM VII 2025

For registration please transfer the participation fee and fill in the form opening the following LINK.

NB! For participants outside Europe please write on your parcel the address with the additional note “GIFT! Book value 43 euros“. The reason for this is to avoid various costful taxes.

Please send your binding before March 1st, 2025 to the following address:
Mrs. Tähti Roostalu
Sütiste tee 41-164
Tallinn 13414
Estonia
Mobile: +372 551 7376
E-mail: tahti.roostalu@gmail.com

For technical description of your binding please fill the form opening the following LINK .

The international jury will select three bindings awarded with artistic Golden Book Prizes. There will also be encouragement prizes and the student category prize. The participants' names must not appear in the book. The members of the jury can participate in the exhibition, but not compete for the awards.

All participants will receive diplomas. The jury reserves the right to exclude artistically or technically inadequate works. The organizers of the exhibition reserve the right to take photographs of the exhibits and publish the photos in the catalog of the exhibition, on the web page and in the press.

Important Dates
• Closing date for entry August 31st, 2024
• Books to be delivered before March 1st, 2025
• Jury April 2025
• Opening of the exhibition: September 11th, 2025


Scripta manent VII organizing team: Rene Haljasmäe, Tulvi-Hanneli Turo, Lennart Mänd, Tiia Eikholm, Tähti Roostalu.

Info:scriptamanent.ee@gmail.com