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New museum charts evolution of printing

The Gutenberg Museum explores the history of printing. Gutenberg Museum Fribourg

A new museum devoted to printing and communication opens its doors this month in the city of Fribourg.

The Gutenberg museum is housed in an early 16th century corn granary, which has undergone extensive renovation.

The display traces the development of printing and bookbinding from handwritten manuscripts to the modern day. Among the rare books on display is a recently donated Froschauer bible dating from 1580.

A highlight of the new museum is a multimedia show on how language, speech and writing developed.

The museum pays tribute to the pioneering printer, Johannes Gutenberg, born 600 years ago in Mainz, Germany, who issued the first-ever printed bible.

The directors say they are optimistic about the future but are still looking for sponsors despite subsidies from local, cantonal and federal authorities.

swissinfo with agencies

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