Are you curious about how to safely care for fragile paper objects – such as old letters, photos, or documents? In this accessible workshop, you will be introduced to the basic principles of paper restoration. You will learn how to gently remove dust from paper (dry cleaning) and how to carefully repair small tears without damaging the material.

Through demonstrations and practical exercises, you will discover which materials and techniques restorers use to protect paper heritage. You will get hands-on experience and receive tips that you can also apply at home when preserving personal documents or collectibles.

The workshop is suitable for everyone aged 16 and over; no prior knowledge is required. An interest in heritage, art, or caring for old documents is sufficient!

A paper conservator and restorer ensures that special paper objects are preserved for the future. Think of old books, drawings, prints, maps, photos, and documents. These fragile pieces can be damaged by age, light, moisture, or use.

The conservator first carefully examines the material and the damage. Subsequently, he or she cleans, repairs, and strengthens the paper using special techniques and materials that are safe and reversible.

The work is a combination of science, craftsmanship, and patience. Sometimes tears are repaired almost invisibly or discolorations are reduced, so that an object is stable again and can be better preserved or exhibited. In this way, the paper conservator helps keep valuable stories, artworks, and historical documents accessible to researchers as well as the general public, today and in the future.

Alexander Vander Stichele

After an initial education in psychology and sociology and several years of research experience, Alexander decided to retrain as a paper restorer and conservator. By regularly attending workshops at home and abroad, he continues to deepen his knowledge and stays up to date with the latest developments in paper restoration and conservation.

Alexander is the manager of La Route du Papier, the Belgian specialist shop for supplies related to paper restoration and conservation.

Storm Calle

Storm Calle (b. 1980) is a photographer and heritage worker specializing in historical photography, conservation, and paper restoration. Since 2006, he has been active within the Ghent City Archives, where he documents, digitizes, and conserves photographic collections. His daily interaction with fragile archival material led to intensive training in paper restoration at Syntra Brugge (starting in 2018), allowing him to further deepen his expertise in repairing, stabilizing, and preparing paper heritage for digitization, loan, and exhibitions.

In addition to his restoration work, he has contributed to numerous publications, photo-historical research projects, and exhibitions in collaboration with STAM, KIK, FOMU, and various archival institutions, among others. With his combined expertise in photography, historical processes, and restoration, Storm has established a unique position within the heritage field as a specialist in preserving and making accessible fragile photographic and paper-historical material.