My Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs Experience: Exploring Venetian Craftsmanship with Paolo Olbi 📚✨

GreenerEU
Aug 4
2 min read

When I joined the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs program, I knew it would be a valuable opportunity to grow professionally. What I didn’t expect was how deeply human, inspiring, and transformative the experience would be.

At the heart of this journey was my collaboration with Paolo Olbi — one of the last true masters of Venetian craftsmanship: a bookbinder, printer, engraver, and living guardian of a centuries-old tradition.

A Living Workshop of Ideas: Past Meets Future

Stepping into Paolo’s workshop is like crossing a threshold into another era. His tools, presses, and handmade paper tell silent stories. His hands bring those stories to life. With patience and generosity, Paolo introduced me to the beauty and precision of traditional bookmaking and printing techniques.

But our collaboration didn’t stop at learning — it evolved into co-creation.

Together, and with the support of over 10 local associations, we developed a project that has been warmly welcomed by the Venetian community: a series of sustainable tourism micro-itineraries presented as augmented and virtual reality maps, based on historic cartography enhanced by hand-drawn illustrations and watercolor art.

A selection of these watercolors is currently on display near Piazza San Marco, showcasing the creative potential of combining art, heritage, and technology.

A Master Craftsman Goes Digital

Thanks to our collaboration, Paolo experienced firsthand the power of digital storytelling:

📸 professional photography

🎥 video production and a virtual tour of his workspace

📲 greater visibility on social media

🧭 inclusion in platforms like the Homo Faber App and the Venice Original artisan portal, financed by JP Morgan and supported by CNA.

These tools helped amplify Paolo’s voice, opening up new networks and connections, including fascinating figures such as Fabio Santin and Montanaro, a renowned collector of films set in Venice.

A Dream in the Making

One of my greatest dreams is to print our maps using Paolo’s historic techniques and bookbinding processes — creating truly unique, handcrafted pieces that celebrate Venice’s cultural richness.

Although I don’t yet have the funding to make this a reality, I remain hopeful. One day, I believe we’ll find the right support to bring this vision to life — giving meaningful work to Paolo and his team, especially after the difficulties brought on by the pandemic.

From Gratitude to New Beginnings

This experience has been a profound milestone in my entrepreneurial journey. I’m especially grateful to everyone who believed in me and in GreenerEU from the very beginning.

💬 If you’d like to know more about the concrete results of the project, I’d be happy to share access to our Trello board and Google Drive, where we’ve documented everything.

This ending is truly just the beginning.

With sincere gratitude,

M.A. Isabella Mavellia

Founder & Coordinator of GreenerEU