Number: MA/25/F2/0/012

Flagship: 2 - Europeanness: multilingualism, pluralities, citizenship

Faculty: FF

Project leader: Masliš, Martin

The Czech National Library holds the Wessely Collection, a large but long-neglected set of ancient Greek papyri. This collaborative pilot project brings specialists from Heidelberg University and the University of Warsaw to Prague to train local students and staff in documenting and preserving the collection. It marks the beginning of an intensive interdisciplinary partnership that will lead to open access publication of valuable sources and create advanced research opportunities for students.

The project combines research-based teaching with heritage preservation, fostering dialogue with key cultural stakeholders. Planned activities include the establishment of an interdisciplinary working group, training for MA and PhD students in papyri documentation, an initial expert assessment of the collection, and a pilot digitisation process. The first workshop in Prague will feature lectures, hands-on conservation training, and the creation of pilot metadata for open access publication.

The collaboration will continue through joint research and project development, including a proposal for the Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchange call. In the long term, it will contribute to consolidating a research-based educational framework and strengthen European cooperation in the conservation and study of ancient textual heritage.