There’s a small town in the province of Turin where time doesn’t seem to be passed. We’re talking about Alpignano, 16,000 inhabitants, where we can admire the world’s oldest typographical factory. A workplace that takes over a unique manufacturing process. A process that, during the years, has fallen into disuse.
A way of approaching work that differs much from industrialisation and digitalisation, and that gives priority to the spiritual and emotional side connecting man to a book, a poetry or a novel. Because digital favors immediacy and readiness, but book lovers, namely people who grew up with the printed paper, struggle to feel comfortable with technology. The sound of paper leafed through, the smell of a book just purchased , the possibility of touching paper and feeling its granularity are sensations too exciting to put them aside and switch to a useful but unemotional device.
In Alpignano the world seems to be standing still: to see a book made by hand and the workers that choose meticulously metallic letters let us breathe history and a different, far atmosphere. In other words, what we were and what the technological process has slowly replaced with something without a soul. Something far away from our intimate way of living.
Craftmanship, culture and changes of perspective in Alpignano
Enrico Tallone, master printer and company owner, with his wife Maria Rosa, his children and other expert colleagues, carry on a business model based on historic tradition and craftmanship. Because in the exercise of their work style, passion, dedication, and creativity are fundamental. Only in this way one can reach excellence.
It’s not easy to work always with perseverance, precision and participation: only the awareness of creating something unique and the aspiration to quality and excellence allow to carry on this adventure.
A job on a human scale, it has to be said, combining spirit of cooperation and tasks fixed on the basis of one’s passions.
