Week of discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC) 2013

Each year, within 1 week, cemeteries across Europe organize events and activities to raise European citizens awareness of the importance of significant cemeteries. Exhibitions, concerts, guided tours, seminars, workshops and other activities take place.

In 2013, WDEC is set for May 24th to June 2nd. 

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Read all news about the Week of discovering European Cemeteries 2013.



Read all news about the Week of discovering European Cemeteries 2012.




Mobile guiding in WDEC

During this year's Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, participating members in EUCEMET project will provide visitors with possibility to discover cemetery with mobile guide.

Photographic Exhibition “The Garden of Angels” of Nino Migliori

The Exhibition of the noted photographer Nino Migliori displays 15 photographs of the children section in Bologna’s Certosa Cemetery, the exhibition proposes a visionary presentation - the felicity, colorful toys, beloved objects which have accompanied the short life of children creating stimulating reality.

Photographs transport inside a joyful world, full of positive energies completely opposite with sentiments and emotions which normally tie with a place of eternal rest; but Nino Migliori always habituate us to re-read the news, to see a different viewpoint which overturns usual canons of seeing and hearing.

Images in exhibition born from the reflective use of electronic equipment, they coherently put in multiform itinerary of author and they found their roots in previous works. The first, the historic, is “The Machine” of 1973, a composition of 50 serigraph stamp with fluorescent colors, a pop transcription of a photograph of one of his “Walls”. Already in this work Migliori feels the necessity to “broke chromatic schemes”, he wants to supply an unfaithful translation of the real, suggesting “the fact” through a clear interpretation. The next reference is connected with series “Transfiguration” realized from 1998 to 2003, which figure the digital approach as a “natural passage” of technological walk which is at the base of photograph invention, but at the same time it represent also an further challenge and linguistic analyst of the vehicle.

"The Garden of Angels" take part of “Imago Mentis” project, works of series which Nino Migliori explain the reality with harsh colors, obtained by digital amplification.

The photographic exhibition catalogue is includes Marco Vallora’s texts and the valuable artist’s book contains original photographs of the artist, limited stamp of 48 copies.


Exhibition
“The Garden of Angels” of Nino Migliori
By: Roberto Martorelli
With contribution of: Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna

Location
Civic Museum of Risorgimento
Piazza Cerducci, 5 – 40125 Bologna
tel. 051 347592
museorisorgimento@comune.bologna.it
www.museibologna.it/risorgimento


Running
From 2 June to 14 July
 

Opening
Saturday 1° June, at 11.00

Opening time
Tuesday-Sunday: 9-13

Admission price
Museum ticket (€ 5,00 full price / € 3,00 reduced price)

WDEC 2013 in Bologna - Certosa Cemetery

On the occasion of the Week of discovering European Cemeteries, the Museum of the Risorgimento of Bologna features three guided tours during the day, two evening events and the opening of the exhibition 'Il giardino degli angeli' (The Garden of Angels) by the Bologna photographer Nino Migliori.

The first evening event will take place on May, Friday 24th at 8.30 p.m. with the presentation of the book “Giuseppe Mengoni: un'opera svelata alla Certosa di Bologna” (Giuseppe Mengoni: a work unveiled at the Certosa in Bologna), followed by a guided tour.

Giuseppe Mengoni (Fontanelice, 1829 - Milan, 1877) is well known for designing the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele in Milan, although it is often forgotten that he is also the creator of the imposing headquarters of the Cassa di Risparmio in Bologna. The author of the majestic chapel dedicated to the Polish general officer Giuseppe Grabinski had been unknown until now, but thanks to the recovery of previously unpublished documents by Anna Maria Guccini it has been possible to attribute it to the famous architect.

On May, Sunday 26th the costume commemoration of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s visit to the Certosa will take place, the title being “Not a single ruin of Bologna will remain!”.

The Hero of Two Worlds arrived at the Certosa on August 16th, 1859 to commemorate the death of his friend Ugo Bassi, martyr of the Italian Risorgimento, executed by an Austrian firing squad on August 8th, 1849. Thanks to the finding of the speech delivered by Garibaldi and other previously unknown documents, several vicissitudes the two heroes went through together will be remembered. This event is the ideal continuation of the commemoration that will take place the previous day in Piazza Carducci in Bologna, entitled “Ugo Bassi - Storia e memoria” (Ugo Bassi – History and memory).

On June, Saturday 1st there will be the opening of the exhibition “Il giardino degli angeli” by the Bologna photographer Nino Migliori. He has concluded his artistic project, that lasted 4 years, within the sector of the Certosa of Bologna where children are buried. The artist provides us with an , interpretation of it that is visionary and joyful, at the same time: the colours of the toys and the beloved objects that accompanied the children’s short lives are modified to create an imaginative reality.

The last event will be on June, Sunday 2nd, featuring Briana Zaki and Valentina Franchino who will present a poetic and captivating dance show entitled “Stralunate” (Dazed).


The complete programme:
 
Friday, 24th May, 8.30 pm
Giuseppe Mengoni: un'opera svelata alla Certosa di Bologna
(Giuseppe Mengoni: a work unveiled at the Certosa in Bologna)
With Anna Maria Guccini, Daniela Sinigalliesi and Vincenzo Lucchese

Anna Maria Guccini is the author of the book who, thanks to the recovery of a few drawings, discovered the authorship – unknown until now – of the chapel dedicated to the Polish general officer Giuseppe Grabinski at the Certosa. At the end of the public presentation, a guided tour will follow, with Vincenzo Lucchese.
Free admission, booking required, please call 051.347592 (Tue-Sun 9a.m.-1p.m.) or write to museorisorgimento@comune.bologna.it
Meeting at the main entrance (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.

Sunday 26th May, 9.00 pm
Di Bologna non si troveranno nemmeno le vestigia!
(
Not a single ruin of Bologna will remain!)

Costume commemoration of Garibaldi’s visit to the Certosa


The Hero of Two Worlds arrived at the Certosa on August 16
th, 1859 to commemorate the death of his friend Ugo Bassi, martyr of the Italian Risorgimento, executed by an Austrian firing squad on August 8th, 1849. Thanks to the finding of the speech delivered by Garibaldi and other previously unknown documents, several vicissitudes the two heroes went through together will be remembered. Organized by the Associations 8cento and Amici della Certosa.

Contribution required: € 8, of which 2 will be donated for the enhancement of the Cemetery. Booking required, please call 345.2699200 (afternoon-evening) or write to amicidellacertosa@gmail.com
Meeting at the main entrance of the Certosa (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.

Monday 27th May, 4.30 pm
Coraggiosa pel mondo pellegrinò. L'immaginario infantile in Certosa
(Bravely she wandered the world. The infantile imagination at the Certosa)

Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli

Among the innumerable memories of the Certosa there are stories of little girls and boys, remembered also by way of majestic monuments. The visit is meant to be an introduction to the exhibition that Nino Migliori dedicates to the memory of the lost childhood.

Free admission, no booking required. Meeting at the main entrance of the Certosa (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.

Tuesday 28th May, 4.30 pm
Vita petroniana: alla scoperta della nostra storia
(Life in Bologna: discovering our history
)
Guided tour with Roberto Martorelli

Strolling among the Certosa cloisters and halls one can fantasize on the stories behind the Latin inscriptions, the precious marbles, the imposing chapels, the simple tombstones. The visit will reveal some well-known stories and others less so, about people from Bologna who have shaped our present day.
Free admission, no booking required. Meeting at the main entrance of the Certosa (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.


Friday 31th May, 4.00 pm
La Certosa di Bologna: un libro aperto sulla Storia 
(The Bologna Certosa: a book open on History)
Guided tour with Vincenzo Lucchese and Daniela Sinigalliesi

Two exceptional guides will unveil the thousand-year old stratification of the Certosa: Etruscan necropolis, monastery and public cemetery. Delicate neoclassical graves, precious marbles and austere monuments will illustrate two centuries of art, in Bologna and in Italy.

Free admission, no booking required. Meeting at the main entrance of the Certosa (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.


Saturday 1st  June, 11.00 pm
Opening of the exhibition “Il giardino degli angeli” by Nino Migliori
Museo civico del Risorgimento, Piazza Carducci 5
 
With this exhibition, the artist has concluded his artistic project, that lasted 4 years, within the sector of the Certosa of Bologna where children are buried. Nino Migliori provides us with an interpretation of it that is visionary and joyful at the same time, in which the colours of the toys and the beloved objects that accompanied the children’s short lives are modified to create an imaginative reality.
Free admission, no booking required.



Sunday 2nd June, 9.00 pm
Stralunate - Uno spettacolo di danza aerea e narrazione

(Dazed – An aerial dance and storytelling show)
Featuring and by Briana Zaki and Valentina Franchino

On the moon or with their feet firmly on the ground, two characters tell stories, also about themselves, between dreams and reality, the sky and the earth.


Booking required, please call 345.2699200 (afternoon-evening) or write to amicidellacertosa@gmail.com.
Meeting at the main entrance of the Certosa (Church Yard), 15 minutes before the start time.


Information on the entire programme:
Museo civico del Risorgiment di Bologna
tel. +39 051347592

museorisorgimento@comune.bologna.it
www.museibologna.it/risorgimento

WDEC 2013 in Genova - Staglieno Cemetery

The programme of the WDEC 2013 Genova same as last year holds many exciting events and activities to help you explore the Staglieno Cemetery, find sessions that match your interests, and plan your time during the Week of discovering European Cemeteries.

Staglieno Monumental Cemetery
May 24th – June 2nd 2013
Guided Tours by the Association Genova Guide
Meeting at the Statue of the Faith
9.30 am, 11.00 am, 3.00 pm

Lay Temple
From May 24th to June 2nd 2013
Exhibition of Photographs

Lay Temple
June 1st, 11 am
A Female Spoon River
Narration through music

Pantheon
June 2nd, 10 am
Gospel and Spiritual
Milleliregospel Choir

ALL THE EVENTS ARE FREE AND NO PRIOR RESERVATION IS REQUIRED

Exhibition EUCEMET European cemeteries: Garden of souls, diversity and heritage.

The City Council of Avilés has led the project EUCEMET co-financed by the culture program 2077 - 2013 of the European Commission, which has been involved in cooperation with the Association of municipalities of Nebbiu (North of Corsica), the Town Hall of Nicosia (Cyprus) and the Association of European significant cemeteries. As a result of the implementation of this program has consolidated the exhibition European cemeteries: Garden of souls, diversity and heritage.

Initially exposed in the cemetery Dobrava in Maribor (Slovenia), the City Council of Avilés sought for if this important photographic exhibition which was housed in the building of the old fishmonger of Avilés where, accompanied by an ambitious programming composed by various acts and cultural events, reached great importance, causing a significant impact in the population.

Subsequently the City Council of Lugo interested in giving continuity to the project, requested the City Council of Avilés, the temporary transfer of the exhibition, promoting for this purpose a collaboration agreementbetween two Councils, through which are fixed the precise conditions that enable its new and current location in the Interactive history Museum of Lugo (MIHL), recently inaugurated in the city where it will remain until the end of April.

The Creative Assembly and thematic interpretation and the incorporation of new elements have contributed to enrich the already initially magnificent exhibition, giving a new approach that marks a touch of peculiarity which has come to enhance the final result, being also relevant its success between the population and the incidence in the internetnews.

In this way, the different styles and peculiar connotations that have been given to the photographic exhibition in their different situations, have left patent the patrimonial relevance, the uniqueness and historical richness of cemeteries that are part of the historical route of European cemeteries, contributing to the diffusion of the Association of European significant cemeteries and the consolidation of its objectives.

At this time, with the closing of the exhibition at the end of April in the City Council of Lugo and considering the profitability of the fruits obtained in this short tour, being taken steps so that the project continue and exposure consolidate their itinerant character by different municipalities, at the State level and at European level.

To this end, the City Council of Avilés is working on the elaboration of a framework agreement through which is to achieve the necessary synergy between different local entities that participate, make possible the diffusion of the project through the creation of a route of exposure and at the same time ensuring the gradual addition of new elements and diversity of approaches of the participating entities, which will contribute to its enrichment and, finally, to the achievement of the objectives which constitute the cornerstones of the Association: the preservation of cemeteries and their integration in the cities as a fundamental part of its historical memory and the social relations of its members.

The cemetery as emotional refuge

In today's society the concept of death is totally rootless, is a taboo subject and that on many occasions it has been trivialized and subverted by the exaltation of his most morbid and most striking aspects and, therefore, also more exploitable commercially, all in an attempt to hide or blur your presence, or simply ignore with the deafening mood to flee from his cloak, to flee from the fear which causes the mere finding of its existence, as if thus we could avoid it or what it is to prevent the flow of life itself that leads us inexorably toward her.

This has contributed to prostitute the concept of death, leaving aside its substantial meaning, its essence, subtracting value possible teaching we could get from the experience of overcoming, overcome or simply accept the inevitable of its final position in the life cycle and learn to live with the fear that makes us.
The fact the acceptance of death as inevitable, and assertively address as part of the life cycle, always provide us a different perspective on life: the awareness of the need to live, to live intensely each moment presented to us, flowing into the river of life without anchors that imprison us in the pastwithout the exacerbated hunger that takes us to the future, stopping us in the present and preventing us from living, enjoy and even be.

How much greater is the learning and knowledge about ourselves, and the more and better let us live in harmony with the existence of death, easier take the final step and, even, to accept and overcome the absence - after the inevitable pain, the inevitable duel - of our loved persons. Because in the same way that we accept own death will accept others.

In this context, the cemeteries acquire a leading role in the evolution of life and the death of all societies. They converge in all prospects, considerations, concepts, ideologies and viewpoints that revolve around death, reflecting not only the division of social classes, the social structure, but also the relationship with death, fear, pain, separation, hope or life.

This makes the cemeteries, repositories of funerary, and historical-artistic and cultural heritage in authentic places of emotional refuge where we are confident that our emotions, which are deposit and keep emotions poured into every bounce, every duel, in the consolation, in hope, in each encounter, in memories, in the historical memory.

Is in the cemetery where, with calm and peace that characterizes them, it offers us the opportunity of learning how to live, where with each bounce, we can begin a new cycle, a new phase that breaks with the previous incorporating its teachings, a new form of live, a newpoint of view of life, and learn to flow with it.

We can talk then of the cemetery as a portal of emotional healing that have place each and every one of the emotions or feelings there deposited, through which we can connect with them in harmony and promote the assertiveness necessary to achieve emotional alchemy that transforms pain to pain loss in comfort, the restlessness in hope, anxiety for the loss in acceptance, the absence of vital energy in the strength to return to the cycle of life. Perhaps we will thus achieve convert sadness by the loss in joy, in the joy of having been able to enjoy and share that life went. Perhaps we will thus achieve convert sadness by the loss in joy, in the joy of having been able to enjoy and share that life went.

It is a perspective that we cannot ignore the cemeteries and understood as a reason for their integration in social life of towns and cities.

It is essential that such venues favor this special approach, fostering an environment of calm that call inside peace and meditation.We fill the cemeteries of poems, phrases of hope, flowers, vegetation...

At the same time, in addition to the cultural movement already created in those who are more advanced in this line, promote the lectures, conferences, workshops of mourning, social movements of help and solidarity for these difficult moments that all the people have experienced, with more cruelty than others and in which the shoulder of a friendis always necessary in order to survive emotionally.

Amparo Rubinos Hermida
Head of section
Municipal cemetery San Froilan
Concello de Lugo

A journey trough time

Discover one of the oldest and most significant Spanish cemeteries.