Raamatutrükis

Raamatutrükis is a term used to describe the art of creating printed copies of books in the context of 17th and 18th century Estonia. The activity was particularly prevalent in the period when printing technology was slowly spreading throughout Eastern Europe.

During the 17th century, printing presses operated in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, and in some other towns. As a result, the activity of Raamatutrükis started to take shape, with people involved in creating printed copies of acts, laws, and government documents.

The first printed books in the Estonian language appeared in the early 16th century and were initially produced by German printers. The first Estonian-language book was a prayer book published in 1535 by Johann Fullbeck of Riga. This development contributed to the rising interest in creating printed copies of various texts, including books.

Raamatutrükis activity flourished during the period of the Reformation and the Enlightenment. The number of printed texts increased significantly, including histories, language textbooks, and scientific works. Estonian residents had to travel to Tallinn, which had become a center for printing and publishing, to acquire the written texts.

Over time, the number of printing presses and the variety of printed works in the Estonian language increased. This supported the preservation and spread of knowledge among the local population. The development and growing popularity of printing presses had a profound impact on education, literature, and the dissemination of ideas in the region.