Poetry and music at Mühlau Cemetery 2026

On 25 July 2026, a contemplative afternoon of music and poetry took place at Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, under the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

About the event

On Saturday, 25 July 2026, visitors to Mühlau Cemetery in Innsbruck, Austria, enjoyed a contemplative and joyful afternoon centred on the theme “The Moment of Eternity.”

The programme featured music by Gabriele Goller, rhythmic drum and percussion accompaniment by Bernhard Noriller, and a mime performance by Franz Unger. Alexander Legniti and Paul Fülöp recited lyrical and poetic texts inspired by the evening theme. Participants also walked past the grave of the renowned Expressionist poet Georg Trakl, whose life and work were marked by the First World War.

With sunshine and a peaceful atmosphere, the afternoon brought together music, poetry and mime, creating an inspiring and memorable experience.

Poem

THE MOMENT OF ETERNITY
We
are part of eternity,
and eternity will last forever –
only we not – just never!
But the moment knows no bounds,
because it resonates eternity,
and that sounds
like our reality.

Legniti Alexander ©

Photos from the event

2nd International Conference on Universities and Cultural Routes

The European Institute of Cultural Routes invites you to participate in the 2nd International Conference on Universities and Cultural Routes, taking place in November 2026 in Lugano, Switzerland.

About the Conference

The European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR) and the Università della Svizzera italiana, with the support of the Compostela Group of Universities (Chair of the University Network), are pleased to announce the 2nd International Conference on Universities and Cultural Routes that will take place on 12–13 November in Lugano, Switzerland.

This conference takes place within the framework of activities organised by the EICR in cooperation with the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies. Composed of more than 35 universities and academic institutions across Europe, the network aims to promote research on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, foster academic activities in the field, and offer scientific advice where required.

The 2nd International Conference aims to advance research, strengthen academic collaboration, and promote knowledge on Cultural Routes and their role in fostering European identity.

Important information

All working sessions throughout the conference will be held in English.

The call for registrations, alongside the full event program, registration fees, and recommended local accommodation options, will be published on the Università della Svizzera italiana and Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe websites shortly.

Please keep in mind that attendees are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation costs.

For any additional information, please contact: contact@culture-routes.lu

Governing the Dead in the Megacities of the Global South: Call for papers

Dr. Christien Klaufus and Dr. Julie Rugg invite submissions for a forthcoming edited book volume titled "Governing the Dead in the Megacities of the Global South", to be published in 2027 by Routledge.

About the book

Under the working title Governing the Dead in the Megacities of the Global South, this upcoming volume in the Routledge series Accommodating the Dead: Materialities, Rituals and Technologies will explore how cities and municipal authorities grapple with excessive pressure on cemetery, morgue, and crematorium infrastructures.

Focusing on megacities (over 10 million inhabitants) and high-density urban areas (over 1,000 inhabitants per square kilometer) across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, this collection aims to:

• Bridging Death Studies and Urban Planning: Theoretically articulate the fields of death studies with that of urban studies, especially in the context of pressing claims that both fields (urban studies as well as death theories) need to decenter epistemologies.
• Addressing Cultural Diversity in High-Density Cities: Theoretically unpack the specific challenges of large, socio-culturally extremely diverse metropolises in accommodating the dead in culturally appropriate ways.
• Comparing Infrastructure Governance Across Regions: Empirically juxtapose state-of-the-art knowledge on dead disposal regimes and governance from different megacities in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia, especially in light of increasing problems with overpopulated and/or underattended cemeteries, morgues, and crematoriums, to allow for comparisons and complementary policy ideas.
• Advancing Methodologies from the Global South: Methodologically innovate epistemologies with specific attention for new approaches coming from Global South-based scholars and also allowing for mixed methods approaches.

Call for papers

Scholars, urban planners, and researchers are invited to submit chapter proposals focusing on theoretically and empirically informed case studies of no more than 250 words by the end of October 2026. 

If accepted, full chapters of up to 8,000 words must be completed by the end of March 2027. Please note that while contributions are welcomed from across the globe, all submissions must be written in English. The volume is scheduled for publication in 2027. 

For complete details on the Routledge series Accommodating the Dead, submission guidelines, and series scope, please consult the following documents:

• Official Call for Papers
• Book Proposal Form 

For any questions or to submit your proposal, please contact:

• Dr. Christien Klaufus (University of Amsterdam): c.j.klaufus@uva.nl
• Dr. Julie Rugg (University of York): julie.rugg@york.ac.uk

*Cover photo generated with Google Gemini (2026).

22nd International Congress of the Danses Macabres d'Europe: Call for papers

The Association Danses Macabres d'Europe (DME) and the University of Turin invite you to the 22nd International Congress of the Danses Macabres d'Europe, taking place from 13 to 16 October 2027 in Turin, Italy.

About the Event

The Association Danses Macabres d'Europe (DME) and the Department of Humanities (StudiUm) of the University of Turin are pleased to launch the call for papers for the 22nd International Congress of the Danses Macabres d'Europe, organized within the framework of the inter-university study days “Virality and Death: Challenges and New Research Perspectives across Humanities, Science and Technology.”

The congress will take place at the Castello del Valentino in Turin (Italy) from 13 to 16 October 2027.

Under the title "Encounters with Death: Macabre Imagery and Symbolism across the Arts, Texts, and Cultural Traditions", the following areas are of particular interest:

• Danse Macabre and iconographies of death between the Middle Ages and the early modern period
• Death, memory, and ritual: texts, practices, and cultural traditions
• The macabre in the visual, performative, and sonic arts
• Circulation of models and intercultural dialogues
• Methodologies and digital technologies

Call for papers

Researchers, heritage professionals, and academics in the fields of funerary monuments, sepulchral art, and historic cemeteries are strongly encouraged to submit paper proposals via the online submission form no later than 10 September 2026.

Proposals should not exceed 1.000 characters (including spaces) and can be submitted in English, German, or any Romance language. Presentations must not exceed 20 minutes in length.

The Scientific Committee will evaluate the proposals and notify applicants of the outcome by email between 30 September and 10 October 2026. Accepted papers will also undergo peer review and be published in an official proceedings volume prior to the congress.

Further information

For full details on thematic axes, submission instructions, and participant registration, please consult the official announcement on Calenda or visit Danses Macabres d'Europe and Memento Mori – Università di Torino.

For any additional questions, please contact:

• DME Association: asso.dme@orange.fr
• Antonella Amatuzzi: antonella.amatuzzi@unito.it
• Laura Ramello: laura.ramello@unito.it

*Source: “Encounters with Death: Macabre Imagery and Symbolism across the Arts, Texts, and Cultural Traditions”, Call for papers, Calenda, Published on Thursday, April 23, 2026, https://doi.org/10.58079/164a7

National Pedagogy of Memory Programme in Budapest

Case study of the National Pedagogy of Memory Programme at the Fiumei Road Cemetery and the National Park of Mourning in Budapest, Hungary.

About the Programme

The National Pedagogy of Memory Programme is a comprehensive, nation-level educational initiative in Hungary operating at the intersection of experiential learning, history education, and cultural identity. Implemented through a strategic partnership between the National Heritage Institute (NÖRI) and the Klebelsberg Centre, the programme spans 53 national and historical memorials.

The programme directly challenges the common public perception of cemeteries as static spaces of mourning. Instead, it reframes them as dynamic "open classrooms" and cultural landscapes where history comes alive through individual human stories.

For more comprehensive information about the initiative, please visit the official page of The National Heritage Institute.

Case Study

The complete case study is fully accessible on the European Cemeteries Route website.

The published materials encompass the three-level pedagogical methodology, academic attendance figures, detailed 5-point scale statistical evaluations from teachers and students, as well as qualitative student testimonials and multimedia resources.

Event video overviews are also featured here:

• Fiumei Road Cemetery Programme
• NEP Memorial Visits – Overview Video

Cemetery Festival 2026 at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery

On 28 June 2026, the second annual Cemetery Festival took place at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery in Cēsis, Latvia.

About the Event

The second annual Cemetery Festival, which took place on 28 June 2026 at the Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery in Cēsis, Latvia, brought together poetry, music, history, and remembrance, continuing the gradual return of this long-neglected heritage site to the cultural life of Cēsis.

The programme featured newly written literary epitaphs by Latvian poet Jānis Rokpelnis that offered concise, witty, and sometimes ironic portraits of Cēsis townspeople buried in the cemetery, created from fragments of their biographies, characters, and destinies. Another highlight was the first presentation of Latvian translations of poems by Aleksis Adolphi (1815–1874), the first town doctor of Cēsis and also a poet. The poems were translated from German by contemporary poet Ivars Šteinbergs. A lyrical musical atmosphere was created by the choir “Beverīna”, while Didzis Kreicbergs, pastor of St John’s Church in Cēsis, shared reflections on the passing of time, memory, and continuity.

A particularly significant moment was the unveiling of the restored grave monument of Albert Hollander (1796–1868), an educator and founder of the Bērzaine (Birkenruh) Gymnasium. The restoration marks another step in the ongoing work of documenting, preserving, and gradually restoring the historic monuments of the cemetery.

Cemetery History and Preservation

The Historic Cēsis Town Cemetery, established in 1773, is one of the most important historic burial grounds in the town. For more than two centuries, it served as the resting place for generations of Cēsis residents, whose life stories form an essential part of the town’s history. The cemetery also bears visible traces of the damage and neglect suffered during the Soviet occupation, including broken crosses, damaged grave slabs, and overturned monuments.

In recent years, Cēsis Municipality, the Cēsis Museum, researchers, conservators, and the local community have worked step by step to rediscover and revalue this heritage site. More than 800 grave monuments or fragments have been documented, and information about the cemetery’s history and about 650 identified individuals buried there is now available at kapseta.cesis.lv.

Public activities play an important role in the cemetery’s revival. Since 2024, thematic guided tours, monument restoration, conservation workshops, and public events have helped local residents and visitors see the cemetery not only as a burial ground, but also as a place of memory, history, learning, and community gathering. Since 2025, the annual Cemetery Festival has become one of the key public events supporting this process.

Photos from Cemetery Festival 2026

WDEC 2026 in Lithuania

Highlights from the guided walks at historic cemeteries in Lithuania that were held as part of Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026.

About the Event

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, the Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania organized several educational guided walks across Lithuanian cemeteries. Aligned with this year's global emphasis on quality education, these initiatives successfully highlighted Lithuania's historic burial grounds not merely as places of mourning, but as open-air museums rich in architectural, historical, and regional heritage.

Guided Walks at the Historic Cemeteries of Vilnius

In the capital city of Vilnius, the public was invited to explore some of the country's most significant historic cemeteries. Led by historian Vida Girininkienė, a series of three specialized educational walks took place at Rasos Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery:

• 27 May 2026 | Educational walk “Historical Rasos”
• 28 May 2026 | Educational walk “Artistic Rasos”
• 29 May 2026 | Educational walk “Antakalnis Cemetery: Historical Cross-Sections”

Guided Walk at Panevėžys Old Cemetery

In northern Lithuania, an educational event took place in Panevėžys on 28 May 2026. The event began in the education hall of the Panevėžys Local Lore Museum, featuring introductory greetings from the head of the division, Rasuolė Kerbedienė, and specialized presentations by cultural heritage experts Indrė Baliulytė and Rasa Visockaitė.

Following the presentations, museum historians Dr. Arūnas Astramskas and Jūratė Gaidelienė led an interactive educational walk at the Panevėžys Old Cemetery (also known as the St. Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery) entitled “Memory in Cemeteries: Personal or Public?” During the walk, they guided participants through the distinctive local funerary art and regional history of the site.

Event Highlights

For more details, visit the organizers' website.

Some highlights from the guided walks at Panevėžys Old Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius can be seen in the videos below.

Highlights from AGM and Conference 2026

A look back at three inspiring days in Turin, shaped by education, heritage, innovation and memorable cultural experiences.

ASCE Annual General Meeting

From 18 to 20 June 2026, the ASCE AGM and Conference took place in Turin, Italy. The event opened with the Annual General Meeting on 18 June 2026, bringing together over 90 participants, including 47 members, who reviewed the Association’s activities and financial report, discussed current and future projects, and introduced new ASCE members and significant cemeteries.

The official AGM report and presentation are available HERE.
The digital volume of conference presentations is expected to be available in October 2026.

Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage

This year's conference focused on the theme "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage", welcoming professionals from a wide range of disciplines to exchange ideas on how cemeteries can serve as places of learning, remembrance and cultural interpretation. Through inspiring presentations, participants explored innovative educational approaches, shared best practices and discussed new perspectives on communicating cemetery heritage to diverse audiences.

Interactive Workshops at the Cemetery

The conference extended beyond the lecture hall on the second day, when the Monumental Cemetery of Turin became an open-air learning environment. Instead of traditional sessions, participants joined practical workshops across the cemetery, experiencing it in a more interactive and engaging way. Following the workshops, a fleet of electric bicycles awaited participants, offering a sustainable and enjoyable journey back to Turin's city centre—an appreciated opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective while promoting environmentally friendly mobility.

Digital Innovation Meets Cultural Heritage

Innovation also played an important role throughout the event. Participants had a chance to explore the Monumental Cemetery of Turin using the ARTour mobile app, discovering remarkable historical figures through carefully designed self-guided (audio) routes while experiencing first-hand how digital technology can enhance heritage interpretation. This visit was further enriched by a moving live performance by students from the Liceo Coreutico Teatrale Germana Erba.

Networking Through Local Experiences

Alongside the official programme, the AGM and Conference offered several opportunities for informal networking and authentic local experiences. Participants could join a guided tour and beer tasting at the historic Metzger Brewery or enjoy a relaxed evening at the TONO Beer House. Vouchers were also provided for independent visits of some of Turin's historic cafés, each preserving its original atmosphere and period interiors. These relaxed social occasions created valuable opportunities to strengthen existing friendships, establish new professional connections and continue discussions beyond the conference walls.

An Unforgettable Gala Evening

One of the highlights of the social programme was the Gala Dinner, hosted in the remarkable surroundings of the Egyptian Museum of Turin. The evening was enriched with access to a special "Hieroglam" fashion exhibition, providing participants with a unique cultural experience in one of Europe's most prestigious museums and creating an unforgettable setting for celebrating the ASCE community.

Discovering Turin and Its Cultural Heritage

The AGM and Conference 2026 concluded with a variety of optional cultural activities that allowed participants to further explore Turin according to their own interests. These included a guided walk through the city’s historic centre, themed heritage itineraries, and the opening concert of the Feast of St. John, featuring a symphonic performance of Beethoven’s music in the remarkable atmosphere of the Monumental Cemetery of Turin.

Three Days of Knowledge, Collaboration and Inspiration

Over three inspiring days, the AGM and Conference 2026, excellently organised by AFC Torino S.p.A., brought together over 200 participants from 26 countries and combined academic exchange, practical learning, cultural discovery and warm hospitality. The carefully designed programme created countless opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and shared experiences, leaving participants with new knowledge, stronger professional connections and lasting memories of Turin and the Piedmont region.

We would like to thank the organisers, participants, and all contributors who helped make this another outstanding and memorable event!

You can access all photos and videos at the link below.

➤ Photos & Videos