AGM 2021 report

On September 17th, the Annual General Meeting took place at the Military History Institute and Museum in Budapest.

36 participants from 14 countries signed up for a splendidly organised meeting. Thoughtful planning of the event enabled us to overview our work and future plans at the 20th anniversary of ASCE.

AGM was preceeded 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. Welcome speech and presentation by our host, National Heritage Institute of Hungary, focused on the new digital solutions that enable systematic updating and analysis of the heritage areas and items.

2. Overview of the 20 years of ASCE activities and work was presented by Mrs Lidija Pliberšek. Present members received a small memorial gift.

3. 20th anniversary activities and European Cemeteries Route activities were presented by Mr Dušan Vrban.

4. ASCE projects and activities were presented by Mrs Renate Niklas.

5. ASCE new members were presented by Mrs Metka Debevc.

6. ASCE and European Cemeteries Route communications activities and materials were presented by Mr Dušan Vrban.

7. AGM 2022 and AGM 2023 plans were presented by Mr Martin Ernerth.

8. Sceintific representatives report was presented by Mrs Andreea Pop.

9. AGM concluded with a debate on financial report and situation of ASCE.

Photos from AGM 2021

Photos from the AGM and conference are available in this album.

AGM in Budapest video

20 years of ASCE video

ASCE Conference 2021: Program

Find out who are the experts that will be lecturing at the ASCE conference 2021 and what are they going to talk about.

About the ASCE Conference 2021

The ASCE Conference 2021 is being organized by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust for the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe, and will take place in an online form via ZOOM on 11 and 12 November 2021. The main theme is "Cemetourism: Cemeteries with Stories to Tell".

Furthermore, this year's Conference will be an extension of the AGM 2021, and will therefore address the basic definition of significant cemeteries as well as the possible methods of categorizing cemeteries as significant. 

Conference speakers

Conference speakers will include many acknowledged experts from all over Europe who will speak on the topic of Cemetourism. Some of them are:

➤ Professor Tijana Borić (University of Niš, Serbia)
"Old Cemetery in Rajacke Pimnice – A Highlight of a Unique Travel Destination"

➤ Domenico Bruno (Arciconfrternita S. Maria del Popolo agli Incurabili, Italy)
"Development of the cemetery tourism and history of the 366 graves cemetery in Naples"

➤ Malcolm Crampton (Jigsaw Design & Publishing, UK)
"Every visitor needs a good guidebook"

➤ Tamara Ingels (Independent consultant, Belgium)
"The dynamics between the primary, secondary and tertiary functions of cemeteries"

➤ Dr Barbara Leisner (Ohlsdorf Cemetery, Hamburg, Germany)
"Museums on Ohlsdorf Cemetery in Hamburg"

➤ Renate Niklas (General Manager Friedhöfe Wien GmbH, Austria)
"Cemeteries are full of life....in Vienna"

➤ Mahmut Okcesiz (Ottoman Gravestones Expert, Turkey)
"Understanding and Promoting Adalizade Historic Cemetery"

➤ Dr Mari Plikuhn (University of Evansville, United States)
"Memento Mori: The Importance of Historic Cemeteries in Death (and) Education"

➤ Dr Julie Rugg (University of York, UK)
"Cemetery tourism vs funerary heritage tourism? Achieving a balance"

➤ Aude Thevenon (Patrimoine Aurhalpin, France)
"The "Printemps des cimetières", a national event dedicated to the promotion of funerary heritage."

➤ Dr Paul Tourle (Barker Langham, UK)
"Possible Worlds: Brookwood Cemetery and the Interpretation of Memorial Landscapes"

➤ Miquel Trepat Celis (General Manager of Cementiris in Barcelona, Spain)
"Reconciling tourism with burial activities?"

and many more!

Short summaries of the lectures will be published regularly on the ASCE Facebook page, so don't forget to follow us.

Join us at the conference

Given the extremely interesting lectures and excellent speakers, no one with an interest in historic cemeteries should miss this conference. 

You can find the registration form HERE.

The general admission for the two days Conference is 25,00 EUR.

If you have any questions, please contact us at admin@significantcemeteries.org.

ASCE Conference 2021: What makes a cemetery significant?

The latest proposals in this area, that were also discussed at the AGM 2021, will now be presented at this year's ASCE Conference.

Extension of the AGM 2021

The ASCE Conference 2021, which this year exceptionally takes place separately from the Annual General Meeting, is being organized by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust for the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe, and will take place in an online form via ZOOM on 11 and 12 November 2021. Nevertheless, we wanted to maintain the connection between the two events. Therefore, this year's Conference will be an extension of the AGM, and will address many topics which were previously discussed at the meeting. The basic definition of significant cemeteries will be at the forefront. 

What makes a cemetery significant?

This is the question that has been rising over and over again since the very founding of ASCE. Over the past 20 years, we have been trying to find and improve an effective method of categorizing cemeteries into this important group. The latest proposals in this area, that were presented at this year's AGM, will now be presented also at the ASCE Conference.

Mr. Ian Dungavell (delegated and scientific representative of ASCE and organizer of this year's ASCE Conference) will have an extremely interesting and instructive lecture in which he will answer the important questions about what makes a cemetery significant. Is this its size, history, artistic and architectural value, the important personalities buried there or something completely different? 

Let's find out together. Join the discussion and tell us what your opinion is.

How to register for the Conference?

You can find the registration form HERE.

The general admission for the two days Conference is 25,00 EUR.

ASCE members will get a special promo code via email with all the information on how to use it to get a 10,00 EUR discount upon registration. If you are an ASCE member and did not receive the promotional email by Friday, October 8, 2021, please contact us at admin@significantcemeteries.org.

ASCE Conference 2021: It's time to sign up!

Acknowledged cemetery experts discussing "Cemetourism: Cemeteries with Stories to Tell". Join us at the ASCE Conference 2021.

Conference dates and venue

After the excellent ASCE Annual General Meeting, which took place from 16-18 September 2021 in Budapest, Hungary, another great event is approaching. The ASCE Conference 2021, which this year exceptionally takes place separately from the meeting, is being organized by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust for the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe, and will take place in an online form via ZOOM. When?

On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 November 2021.

• 9am-2pm UK time
• 10:00 - 15:00 UTC +1 (most of Europe)
• 11:00-16:00 UTC+2 (Athens, Bucharest)

Cemetourism: Cemeteries with Stories to Tell

This year's Conference will be especially interesting, taking a practical rather than historical approach to significant cemeteries. The main theme is Cemetourism, and many acknowledged cemetery experts will be speaking about: 

• Understanding the cultural significance of cemeteries.
• Developing the unique story of your cemetery.
• Wayfinding: helping visitors navigate to the parts that matter.
• Cemetery museums: complementing the outdoor experience.
• Cultural programming in cemeteries.
• Working with tourism promotion agencies.
• Reconciling tourism with burial activities.
• And so much more.

The event will also be an extension of the AGM 2021 and will therefore address many topics which were previously discussed at the meeting. A great opportunity for all the ASCE members that were unable to come to Budapest, and for all the others who have an interest in significant cemeteries.

How to register?

You can find the registration form HERE.

The general admission for the two days Conference is 25,00 EUR.

ASCE members will get a special promo code via email with all the information on how to use it to get a 10,00 EUR discount upon registration. If you are an ASCE member and will not receive the promotional email by Friday, October 8, 2021, please contact us at admin@significantcemeteries.org.

Photos of the AGM 2021

Three days of the ASCE Annual General Meeting 2021 in Budapest, summarized in a short photo review.

AGM 2021: program

Program of the Annual General Meeting 2021, taking place in Budapest, Hungary from 16-18 September 2021.

The full program in print format is available here.

Thursday, September 16th

➤ 17:30-18:00 | Transfer to the National Park of Mourning
Fiumei Street Graveyard, 16-18. Fiumei Street, 1086 Budapest

➤ 18:00-18:30 | Visiting the National Park of Mourning
National Park of Mourning, 1106 Budapest, Újköztemető

➤ 18:30-19:15 | Going to the hotels

➤ 19:15-20:00 | Check-in in the hotels

➤ 20:00 | Transfer to the location of the dinner together
Meeting point nearby the hotels (details will follow)

➤ 20:30-23:30 | Formal dinner while cruising on the Danube, all members are invited guests of the National Heritage Institute
Prestige Event Boat, Jászai Mari Square, 1137 Budapest

➤ around 23:30 | Transfer back to the hotels

Friday, September 17th

➤ 9:00 | Traveling to the location of the General Meeting
Meeting point nearby the hotels (details will follow)

➤ 9:30-12:00 | General Meeting
Military History Institute and Museum, 1014 Budapest, Kapisztrán Sq 2-4.

➤ 12:00 | Press Conference
Military History Institute and Museum, 1014 Budapest, Kapisztrán Sq 2-4.

➤ 13:00-14:00 | Lunch
Military History Institute and Museum, 1014 Budapest, Kapisztrán Sq 2-4.

➤ 14:00-15:30 | Going back to the hotels or guided tour in the Castle District

➤ 15:30-16:00 | Transfer to the Fiumei Street Graveyard, from the Castle District or the Hotels
Meeting point nearby the hotels (details will follow)

➤ 16:00-18:00 | Guided tour in the Fiumei Street Graveyard and Salgótarjáni Street Cemetery
Fiumei Street Graveyard, 16-18. Fiumei Street, 1086 Budapest

➤ 18:00-19:00 | Refreshments
Fiumei Street Graveyard, 16-18. Fiumei Street, 1086 Budapest

➤ 19:30-21:00 | Cultural programs, outdoor concert
Fiumei Street Graveyard, 16-18. Fiumei Street, 1086 Budapest

➤ 21:00 | Transfer back to the hotels

➤ 21:30 | Dinner in your hotel (cost covered by National Heritage Institute)

Saturday, September 18th

➤ 9:00 | Check-out

➤ In the morning | Optional sightseeing in Budapest

AGM 2021: Accommodation in Budapest

Accommodation options for Annual General Meeting 2021, taking place in Budapest, Hungary from 16-18 September 2021.

Form for all the AGM participants

As you already know this year’s annual general meeting will be held in Budapest, Hungary (16-18 September 2021). Many of you have already registered for the program, but in case you haven’t done it yet, you still have a chance to apply until August 10th, 2021.

Here you can find a detailed PROGRAM with significant pieces of information. Please read it before you fill out the following questionnaire, which contains several questions the answers to which we need to know in order to plan every detail of the meeting.

QUESTIONNAIRE for all ASCE members that will attend AGM 2021: https://forms.gle/6Mbh3dpRrR4sGWWY7

(Please fill this out if you want to sign up but also if you had already registered before.)

The deadline for application and filling out the questionnaire is August 10th, 2021!

Traveling

Costs of traveling to and from Budapest are paid by the members. Please come to the first program you decide to participate in on your own but after that National Heritage Institute will take care of the transfer with buses.

Hotel recommendation

We recommend you the following hotels as these are close to the meeting point from where participants will be transferred to different locations of the organized programs.

We are looking forward to seeing you in person!

Mercure Budapest City Center Hotel****

• About the hotel
• Price: around 110,00 EUR / person / night
• Breakfast included
• 30,00 EUR for the dinner on Friday night

Booking with the help of this form:
Mercure booking form

Danubius Hotel Erzsébet***

• About the hotel
• Price: around 80,00 EUR / person / night
• Breakfast included 
• dinner on Friday night is paid by the host

Booking with the help of this link: https://www.danubiushotels.com/en/asce

Booking recommendation

Booking is recommended before August 16th, 2021.

After that the hotels cannot guarantee the mentioned prices.

AGM 2021 in Budapest

Let's meet again! On Friday, September 17th, 2021, the Annual General Meeting without conference will be held in Budapest, Hungary. All ASCE members invited to attend.

The LIVE ASCE meeting will be held on Friday, September 17th, 2021, and will be followed by a rich cultural program during the weekend. As usual, we will take a walk in the cemetery of the hosting city and discover some of the other amazing cultural attractions of Budapest.

The ASCE Conference will take place separately in November 2021 via Zoom.

The AGM is for ASCE members only and an online sign up for the event is required. Please, apply via this REGISTRATION FORM, no later than July 15th, 2021. 

Accommodation and all other logistics will be arranged to smoothly accomodate participants, you do not need to make any accommodation reservations.

The host member will take care of all the security measures that may be necessary at that time so that we can safely enjoy each other’s company and have a carefree and productive weekend.

We look forward to seeing you in person!

Program:

September 17th, Friday

• 10 am - ASCE General Meeting
• 12 noon - International press conference
• 1 pm - Lunch
• Afternoon: Sightseeing in Budapest, walks in Fiumei Street National Graveyard and Salgótarjáni Street Jewish Cemetery
• Evening: Opening ceremony of “Cultural Heritage Days”

September 18th, Saturday

• Optional sightseeing in Budapest and/or visit to the National Park of Mourning (central memorial place for victims of the communist dictatorship)

Program is subject to change and will be adapted to the situation.

ASCE Conference 2021: call for papers

Cemetourism: Cemeteries with stories to tell

Call for papers

This year’s conference of the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe (ASCE) has the

theme Cemetourism: Cemeteries with stories to tell. It will take a practical rather than historical

approach to significant cemeteries, looking at questions of ‘how’:

• How can cemeteries communicate their cultural importance to the public? 
• How can cemeteries establish why are they important, and to whom?  
• How can cemeteries engage with visitors and potential visitors?  
• How best can cemeteries share their understanding of their cultural value? 
• How can cemeteries enrich the visitor experience? 
• How can cemeteries do all this while respecting their primary purpose as places of burial?

We are seeking speakers with practical knowledge or experience who can communicate well to

a broad international audience.

Conference dates and venue

Thursday 11 and Friday 12 November 2021. Online, via Zoom.  

Organised by the Friends of Highgate Cemetery Trust for the Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe.

Conference themes

Papers are invited along the following themes: 

• Understanding the cultural significance of cemeteries
• Developing the unique story of your cemetery
• Wayfinding: helping visitors navigate to the parts that matter
• Cemetery museums: complementing the outdoor experience
• Cultural programming in cemeteries
• Working with tourism promotion agencies
• Reconciling tourism with burial activities

Conference papers

Papers should last no longer than 25 minutes, excluding questions. The conference language is English. You will need to be able to present online to participate.

Proposals

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words summarising your intended paper no later
than Friday 9 July 2021. Please use the form at this link.

Successful contributors will be notified by 26 July 2021.  Conference bookings will open on 1 September 2021.

Editorial board

• Ian Dungavell
• John Moffatt
• Ioanna Paraskevopoulou 
• Andreea Pop

Further information

Please email 2021@cemetourism.net. Follow us on Twitter: @Cemetourism and Facebook.