2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies: Call for papers

Lugano, Switzerland
The European Institute of Cultural Routes invites you to the 2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, held on 12 and 13 November 2026 in Lugano, Switzerland.

About the event

The Secretariat of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites of USI – Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (Switzerland) are pleased to launch the call for papers of the 2nd International Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies.

The conference will take place at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland) from 12 to 13 November, 2026.

Building on the first edition, it aims at:

  • highlighting and discussing research and academic activities related to cultural routes;
  • strengthening the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, providing a foundation for collective action;
  • fostering collaboration between academics and practitioners, shaping future research agendas and offering scientific advice to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme;
  • disseminating scientific knowledge about the cultural routes and their role in promoting an European identity.

Call for papers

Anyone interested in participating is invited to submit a paper proposal via the EasyChair platform no later than 19 April 2026. Proposals must be written in English and should not exceed 500 words.

When submitting, please indicate your paper category:

  • Ongoing research/published papers (conference presentation only).
  • Original research (eligible for the forthcoming edited handbook).

Accepted authors are expected to present in person in Lugano. Inclusion in the handbook is contingent upon the timely submission of requested revisions.

As the European Cemeteries Route has been a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2010, the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) would like to encourage our representatives to attend the conference with some interesting presentation topics.

Further information

For full details on themes, submission guidelines, and important dates, please consult the official Call for Papers available HERE.

For any additional questions contact the Conference Chairs:












AGM 2026: Programme and accommodation

Monumental Cemetery of Turin
The draft programme and accommodation suggestions for the Annual General Meeting and Conference 2026, taking place from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy.

Basic information

The AGM and Conference 2026 will be held from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy, at multiple locations shown on the map above.

The Conference is themed "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage" and will explore how cemeteries can function as vital heritage sites for education, inviting reflection on how we preserve, interpret, and transmit knowledge across generations. More details can be found HERE.

The event is beeing organised by AFC Torino S.p.A. in collaboration with University of Turin (UNITO) and Polytechnic University of Turin (POLITO).

Accommodation suggestions

Participants are responsible for their own accommodation arrangements. At the following links, you can find some recommended hotels near the event venues. Direct reservations can also be made through these links.

➤ Accommodation details and booking (English)
➤ Accommodation details and booking (Italian)

Please note that it is not necessary to book a room at one of the listed hotels. You may also use booking apps to find alternative accommodations that better suit your needs.

AGM and Conference programme

The programme presented is a draft version and may be subject to changes or additions. Please consult our website regularly for the latest information.

You can view the details of individual parts of the programme by clicking on the part that interests you.

You can click on this link (iCal) to add the programme to your personal calendar.

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    Invitation to the 3rd European Symposium on Drugs and Colors

    3rd European Symposium on Drugs and Colors in Palermo, Italy
    The Aromas Itinerarium Salutis Association – The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens invites you to the 3rd European Symposium on Drugs and Colors, to be held from 11 to 14 November 2026 in Palermo, Italy.

    About the event

    The Aromas Itinerarium Salutis Association – The European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens (Cultural Route of the Council of Europe), together with Università degli Studi di Palermo and Fondazione Sicilia, introduces the third edition of the European Symposium Drugs & Colors, which explores the cultural legacy of materia medica through history, art, ritual, and symbolic practices.

    Conceived as an interdisciplinary forum, the symposium brings together researchers, heritage professionals, and representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe to reflect on the history of medicine as a form of intangible cultural heritage and its many expressions across Europe.

    Participation is particularly significant for members of ASCE and the European Cemeteries Route, as it highlights how the history of medicine can serve as a point of convergence and connection.

    Call for papers

    We invite scholars, researchers, and professionals to submit proposals related to the three thematic sessions of the symposium:

    • Materia medica through the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: a thousand-year-old mosaic of paths, traditions, and voices;
    • Mapping Hygeia’s heritage sites in Europe: ancient pharmacies, medicinal gardens, archaeological excavations, museums, and university collections;
    • Materia medica in the arts and ritual: colors, spices, fragrances, and living practices.

    In particular, contributions from ASCE members and the European Cemeteries Route are warmly encouraged. Topics of special interest include the role of color in cemeteries, funerary art, and funeral rites in different European traditions, as well as their connections to medicinal, symbolic, and ritual practices.

    Important dates and additional information

    • March 31, 2026 – Deadline for abstract submission
    • April 30, 2026 – Abstract evaluation deadline
    • May 4, 2026 – Notification of abstract acceptance
    • July 15, 2026 – First deadline for full text submission (for publication)
    • July 31, 2026 – Second deadline for full text submission

    For complete details on the call for papers, topics, preliminary program, registration fees, and additional information, please visit the Drugs & Colors 2026 Official Website.

    The registration and abstract submission form is available HERE.

    27th Cemeteries Colloquium: Call for papers

    27th Cemeteries Colloquium in York, UK
    The Cemetery Research Group invites you to participate in the 27th Cemeteries Colloquium, taking place on 8th May 2026 in York, UK.

    About the event

    On 8th May 2026, the 27th Cemeteries Colloquium will take place as a live meeting at the University of York, United Kingdom.

    The Colloquium, organized by the Cemetery Research Group (CRG), has developed into an essential forum for the discussion of new and emerging cemetery scholarship and is multi-disciplinary, accepting papers from across all the humanities and social sciences. The event has an emphasis on discussion, and its international and interdisciplinary nature makes the meeting particularly thought-provoking.

    Call for papers

    Each paper will be given a 30-minute timeslot. Those interested in presenting are invited to submit an abstract of no more than 250 words via the submission form on the Cemetery Research Group website, available HERE.

    The deadline for abstract submission is 27th March 2026.

    For any additional questions please contact Dr Julie Rugg at julierugg36@gmail.com.






    *Photo source: www.cemeteryresearch.org

    ASCE Conference 2026: Call for papers

    Students at Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor
    The theme of the ASCE Conference 2026 is "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage".

    Conference dates and venue

    The next ASCE’s annual Conference will be held earlier than usual, this time on 18 and 19 June 2026 in Turin, Italy.

    The conference will take place in Turin’s historic centre, close to the city’s Monumental Cemetery. Exact venues will be announced soon.

    Conference theme: "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage"

    Cemeteries engage all the senses and offer rich opportunities for learning. From sculptural and architectural heritage to the textures of weathered stone, the presence of vegetation and wildlife, and the stories embedded in family histories, these sites possess profound educational potential.

    This learning, understanding and recognising the values of the past to shape our future, forms a foundation of our humanity. Yet in contemporary society, the lessons cemeteries offer risk being overlooked or dismissed as irrelevant.

    This year’s conference explores how cemeteries can function as vital heritage sites for education, inviting reflection on how we preserve, interpret, and transmit knowledge across generations.

    Topics

    We welcome papers addressing (but not limited to):

    • educational programmes in cemetery settings,
    • cemeteries in formal and informal education,
    • heritage interpretation and visitor engagement,
    • digital technologies and heritage learning,
    • training and professional development for cemetery staff and volunteers,
    • community participation and knowledge exchange,
    • schools and universities working with cemetery heritage.

    Submissions

    Individual presentations (15-20 minutes) and panel discussions (30-45 minutes, maximum four participants) are welcome.

    Please submit via the form below:

    1. An abstract of no more than 250 words
    2. A brief CV (maximum one page)
    3. For panel proposals, names and affiliations of all participants
    The conference language is English.

    Deadline for submissions: 31 January 2026
    Notification of acceptance: 28 February 2026

    ➤ ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM

    Editorial board

    • Andreea Pop, phd
    • Esterino Adami, phd
    • Ian Dungavell, phd
    • Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, phd
    • Renata Santoro, phd
    • Silvia Beltramo, phd

    Further information

    For any questions, please contact Mrs. Renata Santoro at renata.santoro@cimiteritorino.it.

    Fundraising campaign at the New Cemetery of Podgórze

    The New Cemetery of Podgorze (Krakow, Poland)
    The Association PODGORZE.PL invites you to take part in the 20th fundraising campaign dedicated to preserving the historic tombstones at the New Cemetery of Podgórze in Krakow.

    About the fundraising campaign

    Thanks to the efforts of PODGORZE.PL, two tombstones at the New Cemetery of Podgórze were recently restored (photos below). The total cost of nearly 9,000 euros was fully covered by public donations. To date, these donations have enabled the association to restore eleven historic tombstones, helping revive the memory of the residents of the former Royal Free City of Podgórze. However, many forgotten and neglected tombstones in the Podgórze necropolis still require urgent conservation.

    Therefore, as every year, the association is counting on your support and invites everyone to take part in its 20th anniversary fundraising campaign, which aims to begin restoration work on two more tombstones that have no legal owners and are not listed in the register of historical monuments.

    The in-person fundraising already took place on 1 and 2 November 2025 at the New Cemetery of Podgórze. For those who could not contribute in person, we warmly encourage you to donate online at: https://zrzutka.pl/3cv2nx




    *Cover photo source: www.zrzutka.pl/3cv2nx


    Guided walk "The Piratello in the Feminine"

    The Piratello Cemetery (Imola, Italy)
    On 31 October and 1 November 2025, visit Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy, for the guided walk "The Piratello in the Feminine: Noble Benefactors, Devout Women, Partisans, and Scientists".

    About the event

    As part of the Urban Trekking initiative, Le Guide d’Arte, in collaboration with Area Blu S.p.A., is organising a special guided walk through the Piratello Cemetery in Imola titled "The Piratello in the Feminine: Noble Benefactors, Devout Women, Partisans, and Scientists".

    This walk highlights the lives and contributions of women across different eras and social classes. Figures range from devout, family-oriented women to noblewomen such as the tragic Countess Orsola Bandini-Tozzoni and Desideria Pasolini Dall’Onda, founder of Italia Nostra. Participants will also discover women who left their mark in literature and science, including the nonconformist writer Eugenia Codronchi Argeli, known as “Sfinge,” and Giuseppina Cattani, the first woman admitted to Bologna’s prestigious Medical-Surgical Society. Furthermore, the route commemorates acts of courage, from Bianca Bizzi, whose family saved six Jewish individuals from deportation and death, to midwife Delvina Poggi, arrested and imprisoned in the Rocca fortress, as well as the partisans resting in the crypt of the PLH building.

    Along the walk, visitors will have the opportunity to admire funerary monuments of particular artistic interest, many notable for their depictions of the female figure.

    Location and schedule

    The walk begins at the courtyard in front of the offices of Area Blu S.p.A., Via Emilia Ponente 24, 40026 Imola (BO).

    Starting times:

    • 31 October 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
    • 1 November 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

    Covering approximately 2 kilometers, the walk lasts around two hours, offering a reflective and visually rich experience.

    Registration details

    Registration for the event is required using this reservation form. Each participant may book up to two walks to allow broader participation in the Urban Trekking event.

    For more information, visit the Sito Ufficiale del Territorio Turistico Bologna–Modena website or contact the organizers on WhatsApp at +39 347 7425404.




    *Cover photo source: www.bolognawelcome.com


    Commemorative tree-planting event at the Kalavryta Cemetery

    Tree-planting event at the Kalavryta Cemetery 2025
    On November 8th, 2025, the Kalavryta Cemetery will host a tree-planting event in remembrance of the victims of World War II and as a symbol of commitment to peace and justice.

    About the event

    The General Secretary of the Kalavryta Holocaust Victims Association, with the support of the Municipality of Kalavryta, invites you to participate in a commemorative tree-planting event at the Kalavryta Cemetery in Greece, which will take place on November 8th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

    This event is organised as part of the ASCE Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe initiative, under the 2025 theme Gardens of 80, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and aligning with Goal 16 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

    Program

    The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service for the fallen and widows of Kalavryta at the Chapel of All Saints, followed by tree planting at 10:30 a.m.

    During the event, 80 new cypress trees will be planted to replace the old ones, reinforcing the cemetery as a natural place of remembrance and awareness. The Kalavryta Cemetery is deeply connected to the events of World War II, hosting the graves of 677 men executed during the German occupation on December 13, 1943, as well as the women who later contributed to rebuilding the community.

    Through this event, descendants of the martyrs and the wider community will honor the past, celebrate resilience, and strengthen intergenerational commitment to peace and justice.

    Theatrical performance at Certosa Monumental Cemetery

    Theatrical performance Pen, Bread and Justice 2025
    In July and August 2025, the Certosa Monumental Cemetery hosted "Pen, Bread and Justice", a play highlighting equality, solidarity, and justice through the stories of Bologna’s important historical figures.

    About the event

    As part of the Certosa 2025 Summer Calendar, the Certosa Monumental Cemetery in Bologna, Italy, hosted the theatrical performance "Pen, Bread and Justice" (in Italian "Penna, Pane e Giustizia").

    Produced by Associazione Rimacheride and directed by Giovanna Manfredini, the performance featured Luisa Vitali and Nicola Fabbri, with an original text by Giacomo Gailli. The play presented the stories of three important historical figures from Bologna, through which the values of equality, solidarity, and justice were reflected.

    • 1878 – Gualberta Alaide Beccari, a Mazzinian and pioneering voice of the emancipation magazine La Donna, educated people about equality. Gender equality was her mission.
    • 1914 – Francesco Zanardi, elected Mayor of Bologna on a socialist electoral programme focused on bread and literacy, is shown in a dialogue with a baker, symbolizing the everyday work that sustains community life.
    • 1939 – Mario Finzi, a political and civil activist during the Second World War and founder of Delasem, built a network that helped save millions of Jews from extermination, illustrating that peace is built through solidarity and trust.

    Peace, justice and strong institutions

    The project was realized as part of the ASCE "Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe" initiative, which included numerous activities during the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC) and throughout the year. In 2025, it focused on peace, justice, and strong institutions—Goal 16 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.




    *Cover photo by Simone Bonetti, in-post photo by Giacomo Gailli.

    Virtual Colloquium on Cemeteries 2025: Program and Registration

    Virtual Colloquium on cemeteries 2025
    Registration is now open for the Cemetery Research Group’s Virtual Colloquium on Cemeteries, taking place on 21 November 2025.

    About the Colloquium

    On Friday, 21 November 2025, a free of charge virtual colloquium organized by the Cemetery Research Group will take place via Zoom.

    The event will focus on places and practices relating to the disposal of the dead, including burial, cremation, and other methods. This year’s keynote speaker is Ruth E. Toulson (Maryland Institute College of Art), who will deliver a presentation titled “The Last Cemetery: Shifting Deathscapes in Contemporary Singapore”.

    Program and registration

    Papers will be delivered in four sessions throughout the day. You can find the entire program HERE.

    To attend, please use this Google Form to register for the sessions you wish to join. You will receive invitations to your selected sessions a few days before the conference.

    Registration deadline: 14 November 2025

    For any questions, please contact Dr. Julie Rugg at julie.rugg@york.ac.uk.

    WDEC 2026 at the Florence's English Cemetery

    Florence's English Cemetery
    A new interactive visitor experience, available year-round and continuing into next year—including the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026.

    Broadsheet maps

    Visitors can now explore the English Cemetery in Florence, Italy, with specially designed broadsheet maps that guide them through its historic tombs. Each map features numbered images paired with corresponding stories on the reverse side. An approach visitors prefer over QR codes or online guides. The maps highlight some of the most notable figures buried in the Cemetery, such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Arthur Hugh Clough, Walter Savage Landor, Theodore Parker, and many others poets, reformers, and international intellectuals of the 19th century. Visitors can wander through sectors A to F, discovering stories of individuals with remarkable historical, artistic, and multicultural significance.

    Treasure hunt maps and publications

    In addition, the Cemetery team has created treasure hunt maps that connect the site to Dante’s Florence, Florence’s Saints, The Seven Acts of Mercy, George Eliot’s Romola and Florence, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Florence. For those seeking deeper insight, the Cemetery’s publications—Florence’s English Cemetery, 1827–1877: Thunders of White Silence; Dante and His Circle: Education, Script and Image; and O Bella Libertà by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, among others—offer in-depth explorations of its people, art, and history.

    Virtual guide

    You can learn more through the Italian or English virtual guide, available for download on the cemetery’s website.

    Lisbon's 4th Cultural Week in Cemeteries

    Prazeres Cemetery (Lisbon, Portugal)
    From 18 to 26 October 2025, guided tours, thematic walks, night visits, educational workshops, and other engaging activities will take place at Lisbon's cemeteries.

    About the event

    From 18 to 26 October 2025, Lisbon will host the 4th Cultural Week in Cemeteries, reaffirming the city’s cemeteries as vibrant spaces of memory, heritage, and cultural exchange. Organised by the Lisbon Municipal Cemeteries Division, the initiative combines tradition with innovation, offering the public a unique program of activities.

    Event program and partners

    Over nine days, visitors will discover the cemeteries of Lisbon—Prazeres, Alto de São João, Olivais, Carnide, and Lumiar—through guided tours, thematic walks, night visits, and the popular "open mausolea afternoons", organised in partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa. The program also includes educational activities, such as a philosophy workshop for children and families, encouraging younger generations to reflect creatively on life and death.

    In Lisbon, the Cultural Week further includes visits to the British Cemetery, the German Cemetery, the National Pantheon, and the Church of São Roque. Beyond the capital, new partners join this year: the Cemitério da Lapa in Porto and the Museu Funerário Fernando Oliveira in Aveiro, together with a wide network of municipalities across the country. In 2025, the program will involve the cities of Setúbal, Palmela, Vila Franca de Xira, Barreiro, Caldas da Rainha, Figueira da Foz, Santarém, and Torres Vedras, highlighting the richness and diversity of Portuguese funerary heritage.

    1st Interdisciplinary Conference on Cemeteries

    On 24 October 2025, the program will feature the 1st Interdisciplinary Conference on Cemeteries, a landmark event bringing together academics, researchers, and heritage professionals in Lisbon for a day of dialogue and reflection, open to the wider community.

    Additional information and registration

    All activities are free of charge, subject to prior registration at cemiterios.visitas@cm-lisboa.pt.

    For more information visit www.informacao.lisboa.pt

    WDEC 2026: Quality education

    Cultural day for schools at Pobrežje Cemetery 2024
    The 2026 Week of Discovering European Cemeteries will focus on the role cemeteries play in enabling, implementing and promoting quality education.

    Theme of WDEC 2026

    The Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026 will once again be held as a central activity within the framework of the ASCE initiative Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe. Following the pattern established in 2024 and 2025, the initiative aligns its activities with one of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, illustrating how cemeteries can contribute to a more sustainable society. 

    Scheduled from May 22 to May 31, 2026, the WDEC 2026 will focus on Goal 4: Quality education and will take place within the same thematic context as the ASCE Schools on Cemeteries project, offering expanded opportunities for innovative activities and new cooperation.

    This emphasis on education is perfectly suited to cemeteries because they are not only places of remembrance but also open-air museums and unique classrooms where history, art, and culture intersect. They provide countless opportunities for learning about the individuals who shaped our communities, the values that guided them, and the importance of education and knowledge in building a more sustainable future.

    Main orientations for your activities

    We encourage all ASCE members to use the WDEC 2026 theme as a framework for organizing engaging and innovative activities. As you plan your programs, consider the following guiding principles:

    • Why is education important in sustainable development? Explore the role of knowledge and education in creating environmentally and socially responsible communities, and consider how cemeteries can contribute to this process.
    • Who were the important educators in city history? Look for the graves and stories of teachers, professors, philanthropists, scientists, artists, and reformers who helped to shape the educational landscape and intellectual life of your city.
    • What is sustainable education? Consider how the conservation of cemetery heritage itself is a form of sustainable education, and what specific lessons about ecology, history, or social equity can your cemetery offer?
    • How education changed life in a city? Plan tours or workshops focusing on historical figures whose educational contributions led to significant social, technological, or political changes in your community.

    Your programs could include guided thematic tours, educational workshops for all generations, exhibitions about local educational pioneers, or digital projects that bring these stories to a wider audience.

    Share your activities

    We invite you to share programs, photos and other materials of your planned activities during WDEC 2026 ba using the form below. We will be happy to publish them on the ASCE website and our social media channels.

    ➤ SUBMISSION FORM

    Severed: A Tribute to Peace

    Video project Severed
    Torino, Italy, presents a moving video created as part of the WDEC 2025, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II with a powerful message of peace, memory, and reflection.

    About the project

    As part of the 2025 Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC), Turin, Italy, has unveiled a moving video production titled Severed, reflecting on the enduring impact of war and the urgent call for peace. The project coincides with the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and aligns with this year’s WDEC theme, Gardens of 80, which emphasizes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – the goal 16 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    Severed is a collaborative effort by the Associazione Nazionale Vittime Civili di Guerra di Torino, Piemonte e Valle d'Aosta, AFC Torino S.p.A., Liceo Coreutico Teatrale Germana Erba, and the Fondazione Germana Erba's Friends. The production blends a musical performance with video storytelling, utilizing historical archives from the ANVCG, the Monumental Cemetery of Turin, and the Ossuary Monument dedicated to civilian war victims.

    Featuring young performers, the video encourages reflection on the devastating consequences of war, linking historical memory with a vision for a peaceful future. The project serves as a moving reminder of the human cost of conflict, urging viewers to consider past tragedies and the continuous importance of peace and justice.

    Ultimately, Severed stands out as a great example of how art and memory can combine to inspire dialogue and reflection, giving voice to younger generations.

    Video:

    Photo exhibition "Significant cemeteries for sustainable Europe"

    Photo exhibition at Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor, Slovenia
    The company Pogrebno podjetje Maribor, presiding member of ASCE, has prepared a special photo exhibition at Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor, Slovenia.

    About the exhibition

    The exhibition "Significant cemeteries for sustainable Europe" showcases photographs and descriptions of some good practices developed by ASCE members as part of the ASCE "Significant cemeteries for sustainable Europe" initiative, which promotes the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The installation presents the initiative, highlights activities implemented by nine cemeteries across Europe in 2024 and 2025, and also features the Peace Tree Project along with the cemeteries that have joined the project so far. These examples demonstrate how European cemeteries are actively working towards sustainability, addressing various aspects from environmental management to community engagement.

    More than just a display of good practice, the exhibition seeks to raise awareness and inspire action. It invites visitors to see cemeteries not only as places of remembrance but also as key actors in sustainable development. By sharing these stories, it encourages communities across Europe to adopt similar approaches and reflect on sustainability in everyday life.

    This long-term exhibition, located in front of the chapel at Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor, Slovenia, is on display from September 2025 onwards.

    Photos of the exhibition

    *The entire photo album of the exhibition is available HERE.

    Call for hosting AGM 2027 and 2028

    The New Cemetery of Belgrade (Belgrade, Serbia)
    Seize the opportunity to host the ASCE Annual General Meeting and Conference and take advantage of the benefits this role brings to your cemetery and city.

    Benefits of hosting AGM

    Each year the Annual General Meeting attracts over 100 cemetery academics, artists and professionals from all over Europe. We generate a lot of public attention and through the conference help expose important topics from modern cemeteries management.

    Hosting the AGM is a great opportunity especially when it coincides with other relevant events of the city. The main benefits are:

    • international exposure through several communication channels of ASCE, especially in professional, diplomatic and academic circles;
    • attention of local and regional media due to interesting authors and international attendance;
    • networking for local companies allowing to promote their products and services through sponsorship or other inclusions into the conference theme;
    • international promotion of local academics and networking with other institutions thus creating new possibilities for joint researches;
    • proposing and directing the theme relevant for local cemetery or situation and thus gathering important know-how for solving the situations.

    Guidelines and application form

    Due to much interest in hosting this event, we have prepared guidelines to help all candidates navigate the application process.

    To apply to host the AGM 2027 or 2028, please follow the link below.

    ➤ AGM host application form

    Application deadline: 15 November 2025






    *Photo of the The New Cemetery of Belgrade in Belgrade, Serbia.

    AGM 2026: Save the date

    Turin, Italy
    The next AGM and Conference will be held earlier than usual, this time from 18 to 20 June 2026 in Turin, Italy.

    About the AGM and Conference

    Each year, the Annual General Meeting attracts over 100 cemetery academics, artists and professionals from all over Europe. It generates a lot of public attention and through the conference helps expose important topics on cemetery's history, art, architecture, cultural heritage, sustainability, management, and future trends.

    AGM 2026 in Turin

    Following the success of the 2025 AGM and Conference, we are excited to announce our next meeting, this time scheduled earlier than usual, in the summer of 2026. We anticipate another thoughtfully curated event featuring relevant topics and a rich cultural program, ensuring an inspiring and memorable experience for all participants.

    Join us at the AGM and Conference 2026, taking place from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy.

    A call for papers, as well as all the details about the event program, accommodation, and other logistics, will be released in the coming months, so don't forget to check our website for updates.

    We look forward to seeing you in June 2026.

    ASCE presidency

    AGM 2025 report

    AGM 2025 in Dresden, Germany
    On 4 September 2025, the ASCE Annual General Meeting took place in Dresden, Germany, organized by Women in Remembrance Culture (WIRC).

    Over 60 participants joined the meeting and members' attendance quorum requirement was reached in the second call.

    The AGM was preceded by Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, president of ASCE, and all steering committee members were present or gave proxy to other members. During the AGM several things were outlined and discussed:

    1.Introduction

    • Welcome speech by ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek.

    2.Presidency and Steering Committee activities 2024/2025

    • Steering Committee meetings and sessions
    • AGM 2024 in Budapest, Hungary
    • European Cemeteries Route received the Best Practice Award 2024
    • Attendance at the All-Slovenian Cultural Routes meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia
    • Attendance at the International Conference on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Nova Gorica, Slovenia
    • Attendance at the Conference Cemeteries and Other Spaces of Democratic Memory in Barcelona, Spain
    • Attendance at the 12th Training Academy on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in Torres Vedras, Portugal
    • Regular cooperation in the field of sustainable cemetery management with the Chamber of Public Utilities of Slovenia
    • Attendance at the European heritage day in Oslo: At home in Europe.
    • Charter development

    3. Financial report and budget

    4. ASCE administration and European Cemeteries Route activities 2024/2025

    • Administration and presidency work overview
    • IT maintainance and development:
      • Improving communications channels
      • Updating members data
    • AGMs and Conference support
    • Projects support
    • ARTOUR development
    • Cultural routes cooperation

    5. Projects and activities

    6. New members and significant cemeteries

    7. AGM 2026: from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy

    8. Conclusions

    Members engaged in various debates on topics during and after the AGM, confirming the report and plans for the future work of ASCE. 


    AGM materials

    The detailed program and AGM presentation are available at this link. Photos, videos, and additional materials from the event will be released over the coming weeks.

    Invitation to the Virtual Colloquium on cemeteries 2025

    Virtual Colloquium on cemeteries 2025
    The Cemetery Research Group invites you to participate in the Virtual Colloquium on cemeteries, taking place entirely online on 21 November 2025.

    About the Colloquium

    On Friday, 21 November 2025, a virtual colloquium organized by the Cemetery Research Group will take place via Zoom.

    The event will focus on places and practices relating to the disposal of the dead, including burial, cremation, and other methods. This year’s keynote speaker is Ruth E. Toulson (Maryland Institute College of Art), who will deliver a presentation titled “The Last Cemetery: Shifting Deathscapes in Contemporary Singapore”.

    Tickets for the colloquium will be available on the CRG website starting 11 October 2025.

    Call for Papers

    The colloquium invites researchers from the social sciences and humanities, as well as postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers, to submit papers that combine theoretical insight with empirical research on the proposed theme.

    Each presentation will have a thirty-minute slot, allowing roughly twenty minutes for the talk and time for questions. The event is open to contributors from around the world, with panels arranged to accommodate different time zones. All presentations must be in English.

    Abstracts can be submitted via this Google Form by 1 October 2025.

    For any questions please contact Dr Julie Rugg at julie.rugg@york.ac.uk.

    New book series

    In related publishing news, Routledge has launched a new book series titled “Accommodating the Dead: Materialities, Rituals and Technologies”. The series explores the evolving and multi-faceted study of the dead body and the diverse ways humans engage with it, with an international and interdisciplinary scope.

    Naturalmente Imola 2025 at Piratello Cemetery

    Piratello Cemetery (Imola, Italy)
    On 28 September 2025, a guided tour will be held at the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy, as part of the Naturalmente Imola program.

    About Naturalmente Imola

    Naturalmente Imola (Eng. Naturally Imola) is a cultural and environmental initiative promoted by the Municipality of Imola, Italy. It features guided tours, talks, and other activities designed to highlight the city’s natural heritage and to foster greater awareness of the relationship between people, landscapes, and biodiversity.

    Program

    As part of the 2025 edition, two events dedicated to the theme of trees and their significance in contemporary society will take place on Sunday, 28 September.

    ➤ 3:00 PM – Piratello Cemetery
    Event: Great Trees at Piratello
    Description: Guided tour led by Stefano Tedioli, an arborist with over thirty years of professional experience, lecturer, and specialist in urban tree management. The tour will provide insights into the analysis and care of trees in urban contexts, which are increasingly affected by climate change.

    ➤ 5:00 PM – Ridotto of the Stignani Theater
    Event: The Sun and the Moon, the Roots and the Enigma of Great Terrestrial Trees – Or How Tree-Giants Could Save Us from Time and from Ourselves
    Description: Meeting with writer Tiziano Fratus. His work, inspired by encounters with monumental trees, historic gardens, and forests in Italy and abroad, has developed into an original body of thought and literature. Among his central concepts are Homo Radix, Dendrosophy, and the Itinerant Forest, expressed through publications ranging from poetry and prose to children’s literature, exhibitions, and meditations.

    The events are organized jointly by the Municipality of Imola in collaboration with CIMS.

    The full program of Naturalmente Imola (in Italian) is available HERE.

    Reservations required

    For more information and reservations, please contact attivita.culturali@comune.imola.bo.it or call +39 0542 602300.

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