ASCE President at the CWGC Conference in Paris

On 1 October 2026, ASCE President Mrs Lidija Pliberšek attended the CWGC International Conference in Paris, France, dedicated to the future of UNESCO World Heritage sites of memory.

About the Conference

On 1 October 2026, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) organised an international conference in Paris, France, titled “Beyond Inscription: The Future of Sites of Memory”, which focused on the future of UNESCO World Heritage sites connected with funerary heritage and the memory of the First World War on the Western Front. The Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), represented by ASCE President Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, was among the participating organisations.

The conference addressed several key themes central to ASCE’s core mission, including the preservation of cemeteries and memorial sites as places of memory and cultural heritage, sustainable landscape management, visitor experience, education, interpretation, and the role of such sites in promoting remembrance, dialogue, and peace.

You can read the full official event announcement and topic outline HERE.

Opportunities for Cooperation

During the event, ASCE President Lidija Pliberšek met with representatives of the CWGC to discuss opportunities for closer cooperation. Both organizations share a strong interest in the long-term preservation, management, and interpretation of cemetery and memorial heritage, as well as in education, sustainability, and the exchange of professional knowledge and best practices.

For ASCE, closer cooperation with the CWGC is particularly valuable due to the Commission’s extensive international experience in the conservation and management of memorial sites. In turn, ASCE contributes to a broad European network of significant cemeteries, cities, and professionals.

Such a connection could strengthen the exchange of expertise, support joint educational and heritage initiatives and create a basis for a more structured form of cooperation in the future.

Event Photos

Group photo, from left to right:

• Barry Murphy, Chief Operating Officer, Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC);
• Lidija Pliberšek, President of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE);
• Charles Garrett, Director of Global Strategy & International Relations, Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC);
• Xavier Puppinck, Area Director – Central and Southern Europe Area, Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

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.

ASCE President at the all-Slovenian Cultural Routes meeting

On October 10, 2024, ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, participated at the all-Slovenian meeting of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, organized by the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor.

34th Days of European Cultural Heritage

Between September 28 and October 12, 2024, a series of events took place in numerous locations throughout Slovenia and its neighboring regions as part of the 34th Days of European Cultural Heritage and the 12th Cultural Heritage Week. This year's theme was "Heritage of Cultural Routes, Networking, and Connections."

Roundtable discussion: Connecting for Peace and Intercultural Cooperation

As part of these events, the Faculty of Tourism at the University of Maribor, a member of the Academic Network of Cultural Routes, organized an all-Slovenian meeting of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe. This event was held on October 10, 2024, in Ljubljana, and featured a roundtable discussion titled "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe – Connecting for Peace and Intercultural Cooperation." The meeting was also intended for discussions about the knowledge and competencies needed for cultural and thematic routes in Slovenia.

At the round table, Mrs Irena Marš from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia was joined by representatives of two Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe coordinated from Slovenia: Mrs Lidija Pliberšek from the European Cemeteries Route, and Mrs Andreja Rihter from the Women Writers' Route. The fourth participant was Mr Edvard Kovač, representing the Saint Martin of Tours Route, the first Slovenian route to receive the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe certification.

You can find the official PR statement about the event (in Slovenian) at this LINK.

European Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe

Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, president of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE), spoke about the importance of cemeteries in building peace. Military cemeteries play a central role in this by reminding us of the tragedies, horrors, and suffering caused by wars. Additionally, cemeteries serve as a reminder of equality in death, emphasizing the respect for diversity, and the European Cemeteries Route plays an active role in this context.

ASCE president also introduced the Significant Cemeteries for Sustainable Europe initiative, launched by the Association in 2024 to support the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As part of the initiative, the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2024 focused on environmental sustainability and climate change, with events and activities showcasing how cemeteries and visitors can contribute to reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, this project received the Best Practice Award 2024, granted by the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe in September 2024.

Event highlights:

*The content is partially excerpted from the PR statement by Dr. Maja Turnšek.

A new chapter in preserving European cemetery heritage

Introductory thoughts of ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, at the beginning of a new 4-year mandate.

Dear members, partners, and supporters of ASCE,

I am extremely proud and grateful that, at this year's elections in Mantua, Italy, I was given the opportunity to continue the presidency of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe. The trust you have placed in me fills me with immense gratitude. It is a trust I do not take lightly, and I pledge to proceed serving our shared mission with persistent devotion.

Twenty years ago, we embarked on a journey that was then relatively unknown. United with the same goal - the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage resting within European cemeteries - we started with just seven founding members. Today, with immense pride, I can say that we have grown into an organization with 180 members, a result of the hard work, dedication, and passion of each individual member. Our journey has been long but astonishingly successful.

The development our organization has experienced during this period has been remarkable. We established a clear vision and strategy that has been honed and perfected over the years. One of the key changes we have achieved is the professional administrative management of the organization and the digitization of our processes. We realized that in order to succeed and grow, it was essential to keep pace with the trends of the digital age. Today, we can proudly boast of the professional and digital support that enables members to actively participate in projects and contribute to our common goal.

Throughout, we have strived to strengthen the relationship between the presidency and the members. In the past, many of us pondered what ASCE could offer them. Today, we have reached a point where our members are empowered. They no longer ask what the organization can do for them but instead question what they can do for ASCE shared mission.

Our passion and dedication have led us to a moment where we can leverage this recognition to make our broader environment and institutions contemplate what they can do to assist and collaborate with us in preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of European cemeteries. It is crucial for significant institutions, ministries, institutes, and others to integrate our mission into their operations. Our organization is prepared for this challenge, and with great optimism, I believe that together, we will fulfil our mission in the best possible way.

So, thank you for being part of this exceptional community. Thank you for your trust, dedication, and unwavering belief in what we do. May the next four years leave another important mark in the story of ASCE.

Lidija Pliberšek, M. Sc.
ASCE president

ASCE president at the Cultural Route Certificate Ceremony

ASCE president, Mrs Lidija Pliberšek, attended the Cultural Route Certificate Ceremony at the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia.

On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, a ceremonial event was held in the small hall of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, at which the director of the European Institute of Cultural Routes, Stefano Dominioni, from Luxembourg, handed over the Council of Europe Cultural Route Certificate to the Women Writers Route.

On this occasion, the gathered were address by:

• dr. Andreja Rihter, president of the Cultural Tourist Association of the Women Writers Route,
• Tamara Vonta, president of the Committee for Culture of the Slovenian National Assembly and Head of the Delegation of the Slovenian National Assembly in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
• Špela Spanžel, director general of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage of the Slovenian Ministry of Culture,
• M.Sc. Urška Klakočar Zupančič, president of the Slovenian National Assembly.

At the invitation of the organizers, M.Sc. Lidija Pliberšek, President of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe, which manages the European Cemeteries Route project, attended the event. 

The official part of the ceremony was followed by an informal social gathering where the guests had the opportunity to exchange valuable experiences, insights, and perspectives on cultural routes in Slovenia and their interconnectedness.

Insignia unveiling and peace tree planting at Kifissia Cemetery

From 6 to 8 September 2023, a series of special events that took place at the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia, Greece.

About the events

The Municipality of Kifissia (Greece) organised a series of special events that took place from 6 to 8 September 2023 to celebrate the inclusion of the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia in the European Cemeteries Route and joining the Peace tree project.

One of the main events was the ceremonial inauguration of the ASCE and European Cemeteries Route insignia at the cemetery's entrance. ASCE President, Lidija Pliberšek, and the Mayor of Kifissia, Georgios Thomakos, jointly unveiled the insignias, in the presence of esteemed dignitaries and key representatives of the city and the cemetery. This act symbolically marked the inclusion of the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia in the European Cemeteries Route and highlighted the town's dedication to preserving the cemetery's rich cultural heritage and historical legacy.

In addition, the Peace Tree Project, which started during the Week of  Discovering European Cemeteries 2023, took another step forward. Following the successful planting of peace trees in Maribor and Budapest, the Municipal Cemetery of Kifissia became the proud home of the third peace tree. The purpose of the project is to plant a "peace tree" in as many different European cemeteries as possible, serving as a reminder of the importance of peace and reconciliation, while spreading the message “Live in peace to rest in peace!”.

Photos from the events: