cbl-Newsletter 3/2026

This year’s General Assembly of the centro del bel libro was kindly hosted by Bubu AG in Mönchaltorf.

We received a warm welcome from Christian Burkhardt and Thomas Freitag, and were especially pleased to be joined by our honorary president, Hans Burkhardt. Following a brief introduction to the company by Christian Burkhardt, Thomas Freitag guided us through the facilities.

The tour offered fascinating insights into the production processes, some of which were still in operation.

Many participants had encountered Bubu AG at some point in their professional careers - whether as partners or employees - which made it all the more inspiring to rediscover the company’s impressive range of products and its strong spirit of innovation.

The formal part of the General Assembly was then efficiently led by Dieter Kläy, who guided us through the agenda.

During the board agenda item, it was announced that Christof Mühlemann will be stepping down from his role due to age. We would therefore like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank him for his outstanding contribution:
Christof Mühlemann first attended a board meeting on April 16, 2010, and was elected to the board later that same year. Over the course of 17 years, he provided invaluable support in many ways. He was a trusted sparring partner to our president, Dieter Kläy, particularly on graphic and design-related matters. Under his leadership, the programme was completely redesigned, evolving from a simple wire-stitched brochure into an attractive and modern folded leaflet. He also played a key role in ensuring high-quality production at very fair conditions.

At the close of the meeting, Dieter Kläy expressed his thanks to all participants, the board members, and our team members Bea Corti and Myrtha Rüttimann for their continued commitment and support of the centro del bel libro ascona.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Dieter Kläy for his dedicated and thoughtful leadership of both the association and the school. We are truly fortunate to benefit from his long-standing commitment, especially given his demanding schedule.

Thank you, Dieter!

As teaching remains at the heart of the centro del bel libro, we are pleased to share a preview of our upcoming courses:

No. 10

Course location Zurich

Book clasps have been an important part of books since the early Middle Ages. This course focuses on book clasps. Participants will learn the basics of metalworking and apply them directly to the creation of book clasps. Using various tools and historical models, we will file, drill and bend brass sheets to create simple clasps – with and without decorations. This course is aimed at all bookbinders and restorers who are interested in historical techniques and metalworking.

Instructor:

Kevin Cilurzo

Date:

From Wednesday, 6th May until Firday, 8th May 2026

Duration:

3 days

Course location:

Schule für Gestaltung, Werkstatt für Goldschmiede, Ausstellungsstrasse 104, Zurich

Language:

German and English, ev. explanations in Italian

Costs:

CHF 690.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Basic knowledge in bookbinding required

Registration:

No. 11

Course location Ascona

This course focuses on working with small books – so-called mini books. Despite (or perhaps because of) their small size, they pose a particular challenge in terms of bookbinding.
Various binding techniques are taught and tried out in practice: from classic paper binding to half-leather or full-leather binding to parchment binding.
The focus is on precise craftsmanship in small formats and on adapting materials and tools to miniature dimensions.

Instructor:

Roland Meuter

Date:

From Tuesday, 19th May until Saturday, 23rd May 2026

Duration:

5 days, Saturday until 12:00

Course location:

centro del bel libro ascona, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona

Language:

German, explanations in Italian

Costs:

CHF 1'150.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Previous experience in bookbinding required

Registration:

No. 12

Course location Ascona

The course aims to provide participants with the boxmaking knowledge needed to design and create enclosures and supports for books, documents, and small objects. Participants will make various models and learn to design custom containers using different materials, from lightweight card to lined cardboard, choosing the most suitable type and materials based on the object and use, from storage to transport and display in exhibitions.

Instructor:

Paola Fagnola

Date:

From Monday, 15th June until Friday, 19th June 2026

Duration:

5 days, Saturday until 12:00

Course location:

centro del bel libro ascona, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona

Language:

German, explanations in Italian

Costs:

CHF 1'150.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Previous experience in bookbinding required

Registration:

No. 13

Course location Ascona

The course offers the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of working with parchment and expand your craftsmanship skills in classic bookbinding. Based on the technique of French fine binding, a parchment binding is created in six days, which is build directly on the book block.
The shoulders are worked at 90°, the covers are attached, and the parchment is carefully processed – the folds and creases are traditionally scraped out with glass shards. During the drying phase, a customised title label is created.
This course is for anyone with prior knowledge of bookbinding who would like to gain in-depth experience working with this special material.

Instructor:

Ireen Kranz

Date:

From Monday, 22nd June until Saturday, 27th June 2026

Duration:

6 days, Saturday until 12:00

Course location:

centro del bel libro ascona, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona

Language:

German and explanations in English

Costs:

CHF 1'290.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Bookbinding skills required

Registration:

No. 14

Course location Ascona

In this four-day course, participants will create two versions of the Edelpappband binding: one with leather-covered edges at the head and tail, and another with a reinforced cap and hidden corners. In addition, coloured edges and title designs will be developed, allowing the decorative paper used to unfold its full effect. The course is aimed at anyone interested in fine leather and paper craftsmanship. Depending on your previous experience, you will complete one cover and begin another.

Instructor:

Ireen Kranz

Date:

From Tuesday, 30th June until Friday, 3rd July 2026

Duration:

4 days

Course location:

centro del bel libro ascona, Via Collegio 17, CH-6612 Ascona

Language:

German and explanations in English

Costs:

CHF 920.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Bookbinding skills required

Registration:

No. 15

Course location Zurich

In hand bookbinding, the primary way to finish, or decorate, a covered binding is to build up patterns and designs with individual decorative stamps, called finishing tools. Students in this workshop will learn the skills needed to fashion their own custom finishing tools.
Beginning with brass stock, students will use a variety of metalworking techniques to create an array of stamps to suit their own aesthetics and needs. They will also learn to fashion their own wooden handles. Though primarily used on leather bindings, these tools can be used on cloth, paper, and even wood. The class emphasizes developing tool designs that can be repeated in interesting ways to build up a variety of patterns.
Finishing tools are expensive and difficult to find, so being able to make one’s own is an asset to any binder. In addition to potential savings, there is the added advantage of having a unique and personal catalog of tools. There’s no better way to get to know your tools than to make them!
Be prepared for a lot of hand filing of metal.

Instructor:

Brien Beidler

Date:

From Tuesday, 30th June until Firday, 3rd July 2026

Duration:

4 days

Course location:

Schule für Gestaltung, Werkstatt für Goldschmiede, Ausstellungsstrasse 104, Zurich

Language:

English

Costs:

CHF 960.-

Material costs:

Special material depending on use

Participants:

Bookbinding experience is an advantage

Registration:

Editing: Katharina Meier
Translation: Beatrice Corti

Administration:
centro del bel libro ascona
Viale St. Franscini 30
CH-6500 Bellinzona – Switzerland

School:
centro del bel libro ascona
Via Collegio 17
CH-6612 Ascona – Switzerland

www.cbl-ascona.ch
Telefon +41 (0) 91 825 11 62
info@cbl-ascona.ch

Review, Resignation and Outlook

Book clasps - Function and Finishing

Course location Zurich

Mini books

Course location Ascona

Conservation Boxes and Enclosures

Course location Ascona

The Parchment binding

Course location Ascona

"Edelpappband" binding

Course location Ascona

Finishing Tool Making: A Practical Approach

Course location Zurich