ASCE President at the Cultural Routes meeting in Slovenia

On September 14–15, 2026, representatives of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe met on the Slovenian coast to discuss cooperation, sustainable tourism and the future development of Cultural Routes.

Cultural Routes and Sustainable Tourism

The Cultural Routes meeting was organised within the Interreg Euro-MED ECO-SEAROUTES project, which promotes more sustainable tourism models and a more balanced distribution of tourism flows in the Mediterranean. It began on 14 September with a visit to the Gramona organic olive farm in Seča near Portorož and continued on 15 September at Palazzo Manzioli in Izola, where participants discussed the role and future cooperation of Cultural Routes.

The meeting was joined by Rui Gomes, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and Director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes. Dr Maja Turnšek from the University of Maribor, Faculty of Tourism, presented the ECO-SEAROUTES project and moderated the discussion.

Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week

The meeting took place as a parallel event to the 11th Mediterranean Coast and Macro-Regional Strategies Week, held in Izola from 15–17 September. As part of the official programme, Rui Gomes also participated in the session “Cultural Routes in Action: Vision for the Future”, focusing on the contribution of Cultural Routes to sustainable tourism and European cooperation.

Representing the European Cemeteries Route

The European Cemeteries Route, established by the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) and certified as a Cultural Route of the Council of Europe in 2010, was represented by ASCE President Lidija Pliberšek.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the Cultural Routes with network members in Slovenia to exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation and explore their role in sustainable tourism and the promotion of European cultural heritage.

Event Highlights

European Cemeteries Route Receives ECTN Award for Sustainable Cultural Tourism

On 24 September 2026, the European Cemeteries Route received first place at the ECTN Awards for its initiative Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe.

ECTN Award for the European Cemeteries Route

On Thursday, 24 September 24 2026, the 19th ECTN Conference took place in Skiathos, Greece. During the event, the European Cultural Tourism Network (ECTN) presented the 13th edition of the "Destination for Sustainable Cultural Tourism 2026" awards. First place in the "Transnational Thematic Products" category was awarded to the European Cemeteries Route, managed by the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), for its initiative "Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe".

This award represents significant European recognition of ASCE's long-standing efforts to highlight cemeteries as a vital part of European cultural heritage and as spaces with immense potential for cultural and sustainable tourism.

About the Significant Cemeteries for a Sustainable Europe Initiative

The recognition is also of special significance for Maribor (Slovenia)—the city currently hosting the ASCE Presidency—where the initiative "Significant Cemeteries for a Sustainable Europe" began developing in 2023. ASCE President Lidija Pliberšek, M.Sc., also serves as the director of the ASCE member company Pogrebno podjetje Maribor (part of the JHMB Group).

A key foundation of the initiative is the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals. Through its activities, ASCE connects the cultural heritage of cemeteries with issues of sustainability, peace, inclusive communities, environmental protection, and a responsible approach to spatial management.

Connecting Cultural Heritage Across Borders

"If we want to discover the true story of a city, we should visit its cemetery. That is where the stories of its people, architecture, art, and identity through time are revealed," emphasized ASCE President Lidija Pliberšek, M.Sc., upon receiving the award.

The European Cemeteries Route connects this extraordinary cultural heritage across European borders to preserve it, present it to the broader public, and integrate it into cultural tourism. This award further confirms the important role cemeteries can play in sustainability and responsible tourism.

"I am particularly pleased that this broader role of cemeteries has been recognized. As President of ASCE, I proudly accepted the award on behalf of our members across 169 European cities and 28 European countries," added Pliberšek.

As she customarily does during international appearances, she concluded her address in Slovenian with the words "Hvala lepa in nasvidenje" (Thank you very much and goodbye), bringing a distinct Slovenian touch to the international stage.

Free guided tours at the New Cemetery of Belgrade

On 20 September 2026, the New Cemetery of Belgrade began its autumn programme of free guided tours.

Autumn Guided Tours

JKP “Pogrebne usluge” Beograd is organising four free thematic walks taking place between September and November 2026 at the New Cemetery of Belgrade, Serbia. The tours offer visitors an opportunity to explore the cemetery’s cultural and historical heritage through stories of prominent figures buried there.

The autumn programme is taking place in a year marking the 140th anniversary of the New Cemetery, the 25th anniversary of ASCE, and 15 years since the first guided tour was organised at the cemetery as part of Belgrade International Architecture Week.

Programme

➤ 20 September 2026 – Great Loves of Serbian Greats
Exploring the love stories, relationships and personal lives of notable Serbian figures.

➤ 4 October 2026 – Twentieth-Century Writers and Poets
A tour dedicated to prominent Serbian writers and poets buried at the New Cemetery.

➤ 18 October 2026 – Theatre and Film Actors
Exploring the lives and legacies of prominent Serbian theatre and film actors.

➤ 1 November 2026 – Military Leaders and Heroes of the First World War
Focusing on distinguished military leaders and First World War heroes buried at the New Cemetery.

Each tour begins at 11:00 and lasts approximately two hours. The meeting point is the plaza by the main entrance to the New Cemetery at Ruzveltova 50, Belgrade. The tours are led by art historian Dr Violeta Obrenović and are free of charge, with no registration required.

For further information about the programme, visit the Beogradska groblja website.

Opening Tour

Watch a short video of the opening thematic walk, which took place on 20 September 2026.

Exhibition “Rasos: A Living Cemetery”

The Vilnius City Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania, invites you to visit a special exhibition dedicated to the 225-year history of Rasos Cemetery.

About the exhibition

This year marks the 225th anniversary of Rasos Cemetery, the oldest surviving cemetery in Vilnius. To celebrate this milestone, the Vilnius City Museum, in collaboration with guest curators, presents "Rasos: A Living Cemetery"—an exhibition running from July 24 through December 31, 2026, which explores the multiple layers of this historic site.

Bringing together the perspectives of historian Vida Girininkienė, architect Eglė Bazaraitė and art historian Rasa Antanavičiūtė, the exhibition presents Rasos Cemetery as a place of living memory and ongoing natural cycles. It traces the site’s development from its establishment to the end of the Second World War, explores its gravestones and their symbolism, and introduces Lithuanian, Polish and Belarusian figures buried there whose lives reflect different historical periods. It also draws attention to the birds, plants, insects and lichens that inhabit the cemetery today.

The museum invites visitors to remember, explore and help preserve this fragile habitat of memory and biodiversity.

For more details, please visit the Vilnius City Museum website.

Photos from the exhibition

*Photos by Liudas Masys.

In Memoriam: Joeri Mertens – A Guiding Light in Cemetery Heritage

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear colleague, friend, and a pivotal member of the ASCE family, Joeri Mertens.

For those who knew him, Joeri had a unique gift—he always seemed to know what others thought, wanted, and felt. Everything he touched was infused with meaning, thoughtfulness, and purpose. As a dedicated heritage researcher at the Flanders Heritage Agency and a brilliant art historian, his presence at our annual events was always a declaration of reason and dedication. He listened and observed intensely, yet when he spoke, he consistently raised the bar for the future of heritage management.

Our time together at ASCE meetings was always precious. Joeri brought the sun into our lives. Those of us who had the privilege to share a hug, a glass of wine, or a deep conversation with him will forever cherish his vast knowledge and his cheerful smile.

Above all, we will remember his bravery and his honest fight for what is right. He was utterly respectful, yet fiercely brave—whether he was challenging us with better ways to manage and protect our heritage, or inspiring us on a personal level by living openly, proudly, and authentically. He embodied the kind of personality we all strive to become.

Though his time with us was cut tragically short, his love for cemeteries will continue to thrive and make an impact. We will make sure that the stories he fought for are preserved, captured, and told to our children. All that he did had a profound point, and his legacy will continue to grow.

The funeral service will be held at De Bonneterie (Erembodegemstraat 31 in Aalst) on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. For our international ASCE family who cannot attend in person, an online streaming session will be available so we can all pay our final respects and say goodbye together: visify.be/afscheid-joeri-mertens/

Goodbye for now, our dearest Joeri. You will remain in our thoughts for as long as we live, and we will meet again.

Music and Reflection at Piratello Cemetery

On 13 September 2026, a special event will be held at the Piratello Cemetery in Imola, Italy, as part of the Naturalmente Imola 2026 programme.

About Naturalmente Imola

Naturalmente Imola (Eng. Naturally Imola) is a cultural and environmental initiative promoted by the Municipality of Imola, Italy. The 2026 edition, dedicated to the theme “The Essential Made Visible to the Eye,” celebrates the city’s green spaces and their essential role in our well-being and our appreciation of beauty.

Programme

On 13 September 2026 at 6:30 PM, a special event titled “Fugace” will take place at the Piratello Monumental Cemetery on Via Emilia Ponente in Imola, featuring a walk through the cemetery followed by a classical music performance.

The experience will begin with a short, silent walk among the cemetery’s tombs, statues, chapels, and gravestones. This peaceful journey will create an intimate atmosphere, balancing artistic solemnity with existential reflection. Through this experience, the cemetery will take on a new role—as a theatre, an open-air museum, and a space for contemplation and meditation.

The walk will be followed by a solo double bass performance by Roberto Bartoli, one of the most interesting and original double bassists on the Italian music scene. He has performed at international festivals across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, and has appeared regularly on RAI-Radio3 programmes, including Battiti and I concerti del Quirinale.

Reservations Required

The event is free of charge, but advance booking is required. To reserve your place, please call 0542 602300 or email attivita.culturali@comune.imola.bo.it.

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