Aleksandar Petrović

Lébényi, Anna

Bookbinder

©Aleksandar Petrović

Keeping Serbian bookbinding alive

Aleksandar inherited his bookbinding workshop from his grandfather
He learned the craft from his family members and on his own
The bookbinding business he runs was set up in 1905

Aleksandar Petrović is one of the last remaining artisanal bookbinders in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade. Knowing that his craft is in danger, he gives himself fully to everything he does. "You can count the number of artisanal bookbinders in Serbia on one hand," says Aleksandar. His work is precise, meticulous, and clean, just like the work of his father, uncle, and grandfather, from whom he learned the craft and inherited the family business. The bookbinding company of the Petrović family was founded in 1905 and later grew into a chain of workshops in the Serbian capital. Now, however, there is only one small workshop left where Aleksandar works. In it, you can see old fashioned machines and tools that are still in use, as if you have travelled back in time.

Interview

©Aleksandar Petrović

©Aleksandar Petrović

What do you like most about your profession?: I love the uniqueness of each piece I make. Each object I make is unrepeatable, not the same as the previous one and therefore it has a special value. In addition, I also like the feeling of tranquility and peace while I work.
How does digitisation affect your work?: With digitisation and technological progress, my craft is of course put in danger, and it is very difficult for artisans like me to survive in today's market. Year by year, there are fewer and fewer craftspeople, and the craft is dying out.
Do you train apprentices?: Not now. No one would be interested in it. At the time I worked with my father, we had an apprentice. Diligent and meticulous, but when she mastered the basics, she did not continue working with us.
What advice would you give to young artisans?: I would advise all young people to try to practise their crafts as much as possible, to be able to feel the materials, try their tools, experiment, and to be innovative. I learned the craft from top masters, and yet I could still learn so much.

Aleksandar Petrović is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2008