Papyrus

The history of paper ranges over more than five thousand years: likely starting around 3500 BC in old Egypt with the use of papyrus. The oldest findings of written paper date from 2700 BC. In China, the first production of paper took place in the year 105 AD. The Arabs acquired their knowledge of the art of making paper around 750 AD, thanks to Chinese prisoners of war. Around the same time, the Celtic Ogham script was created in Ireland and carved into stones or trees. In Europe, the first paper mill was not put into operation until the 12th century! No matter how different the production methods and its historical use, paper was always a way to pass on wisdom, art and knowledge. Even today, in the age of digitalisation, paper still has a somewhat ‘sacred’ image. With Papyrus, Thomas Doss has written a wonderful composition in which the history of paper is reflected, and listeners can very much hear the various periods of this history represented throughout the piece.