AGM 2025: Accommodation in Dresden

Accommodation options for the AGM 2025, taking place in Dresden, Germany, from 4 to 6 September.

Event date and locations

This year's AGM and Conference will take place from 4 to 6 September 2025 in Dresden, Germany.

The event will take place in the Kulturrathaus – a cultural center located at Königstraße 15, 01097 Dresden, Germany.

Conference theme

This year ASCE’s annual conference will focus on the theme "Future through Remembrance". Against the background of the end of World War II we want to focus on communication and interaction. You can find all the details HERE.

Accommodation suggestions

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation for the AGM. To make this process as easy as possible, we have prepared a list of recommended hotels near the event venue. The list is available at the link below, where you can also make your reservation.

Nonetheless, staying at one of these hotels is not required. You are free to use booking platforms to find other accommodation options that better suit your needs.

➤ MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

ASCE Conference 2023: Live streaming and simultaneous translation

This year, a free live stream of the conference is available as well as the possibility of simultaneous translation of the conference into 5 different languages.

Great news for those who cannot attend the ASCE conference 2023 in person or who will be present at the conference in Mantua but are not the most sovereign in following foreign language presentations. 

This year, a free live stream of the conference is available as well as the possibility of simultaneous translation of the conference into 5 different languages (English, French, Greek, Italian and Spanish).

Below are the instructions for accessing the live stream and setting your preferred translation language.

Instructions for those present at the conference

1. To listen or read the translation of the presentations in the desired language from your PC, smartphone or tablet click HERE.
2. Choose one of the 5 languages available for translation to listen to or display on the device, as seen in the picture.
3. After choosing your desired language click on Join.
4. In the following, the translation will appear on the screen of your device. You can read it or listen to it with headphones connected to your device.
5. To activate the audio, click on the speaker icon, available next to the flag representing the chosen language.

It is possible to listen to the translation even with the device locked. With the screen turned off the battery consumption is reduced. If necessary, it will be possible to recharge PCs, smartphones and tablets via the charging station available at the conference. For information, contact the staff present in the room.

Instructions for those who will follow the live stream remotely

1. To follow the live stream of the conference on the YouTube channel from your PC, tablet or smartphone click HERE.
2. To access the translation program:

• Open another tab or window in your browser.
• Connect HERE.
• Choose one of the 5 languages available for the translation.
• Attention: keep the screens of both platforms open to be able to watch the live streaming and listen to the translation at the same time.

In case of problems or questions, please contact us at admin@significantcemeteries.org. 
The above instructions in Italian language are available HERE.

ASCE Conference 2022: Call for papers

This year's theme of the ASCE Conference is "Cemeteries for everybody".

The LIVE Conference 2022

After the online conference last year, this year the ASCE conference returns live, as part of the AGM 2022. Speakers will be able to hear both the applause or booings, and see the smiles and grimaces of the audience. Don't miss the chance of face to face talks during real coffee breaks and all other surprises prepared by our host.

The Conference will take place on 15 and 16 September 2022 in the Belgrade City Assembly – Old Court Palace, hosted by the Public Utility Company “Funeral Services” - Belgrade, the New Cemetery in Belgrade.

Cemeteries for everybody

Cemeteries for everybody. This is the theme of this year's ASCE Conference.

Who is everybody? 

• May be the different groups of visitors (children or elders, civilians or militaries, people of any religion or none).
• May be clients, customers or different business partners.
• May be educators (scientists, academics, curators, conservationists, teachers and organizations).
• May be friends or opponents of cemeteries.

What are we interested in? We would like you to share with us your approaches with all the "everybody" from above:

• the programs you developed with or for them;
• the activities you prepared for them;
• the problems you faced;
• the important results from this interaction for your cemetery or for the community;
• the "know-how" you gained from different experiences;
• the significance that "everybody" brought into your cemetery;
• the manner in which the specific national identities within the traditional and contemporary European funerary art are manifested at the cemeteries;
• anything else you may consider important to share with us and we didn't talk about it yet. 

Conference papers

Papers should last no longer than 20 minutes, excluding questions. The conference language is English. 

Proposals

Please submit an abstract of no more than 300 words summarizing your intended paper no later than Monday 6 June 2022 via the form below.

FORM FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

Successful contributors will be notified by 20 June 2022.

Editorial board

• Ian Dungavell
• John Moffatt
• Ioanna Paraskevopoulou 
• Andreea Pop
• Violeta Obrenović
• Marina Račić

Further information

For any questions, please contact marina.racic@beogradskagroblja.rs or arh.andreea.pop@gmail.com.

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.