For centuries, handwritten books have been part of everyday life in Ethiopia and Eritrea—used in homes, churches, mosques, and communities across the region. Created and cherished by both Orthodox Christian and Muslim communities, these manuscripts open a window onto more than 700 years of religious practice, daily routines, and artistic expression. But what if you can’t read Geʿez (Classical Ethiopic) or Arabic? Can these books still tell their stories? Absolutely.

In this illustrated, hands-on workshop, Dr. Jeremy R. Brown brings the world of Ethiopic manuscripts to life, showing how much we can learn simply by looking closely. Images, materials, layout, and decorations tell stories about how these books were used, who made them, and why they mattered. Participants will also have the rare opportunity to encounter Ethiopic manuscripts up close and personal from the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library’s remarkable collection.

10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Museum without Glass

Join our curators in a conversation about their favorite items from our collections, flip through books made hundreds of years ago, and get inspired by art up close and personal.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Across Borders and Centuries: Protecting Humanity’s Written Heritage with special guest Dr. Columba Stewart, Executive Director of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library

As the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML) marks 60 years of photographing at-risk manuscripts worldwide, executive director Dr. Columba Stewart reflects on why preserving the world’s handwritten past matters more now than ever.

Manuscripts are unique, fragile, handwritten documents. Whether they were created centuries or hours ago, manuscripts worldwide are vessels of memory, belief, language, and identity. From monasteries and libraries to private homes and refugee communities, these records tell stories that are increasingly at risk from war, climate change, political upheaval, theft, and neglect. In some locations, manuscripts are targeted for destruction by forces intent upon erasing the history and cultural identity of ancient communities.

Drawing on HMML’s global partnerships and decades of experience across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Columba Stewart will explore how manuscript preservation has evolved, the elements that have remained constant, and what it means to safeguard cultural heritage in an uncertain world. Through partnerships, these living records can foster understanding, resilience, and dialogue—and offer guidance for a more humane future.

12 p.m. – 1 p.m. – Reception with light refreshments and conversation