Association of Significant Cemeteries of Europe: conference

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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).

Highlights from AGM and Conference 2026

Germana Erba Students Performance at Turin Monumental Cemetery

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

AGM 2026: Sign up

It's time to sign up for the Annual General Meeting and Conference 2026, taking place from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy.

About the AGM and Conference 2026

The AGM and Conference 2026 will be held from 18 to 20 June in Turin, Italy, at multiple locations, featuring captivating presentations, interactive workshops, cultural insights, and numerous networking opportunities.

You can find the entire programme HERE.

The event is beeing organised by AFC Torino S.p.A.

In collaboration with:

Conference theme

This year’s Conference, themed "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage", explores how cemeteries can serve as dynamic educational heritage sites, prompting reflection on how we preserve, interpret, and pass on knowledge across generations.

Details about the conference theme are available at this LINK.

How to register for the event

Closed Registration Status

*Registrations are closed.

Applications for the AGM and Conference 2026 are now open. You can sign up by using the following sign up form.

➤ SIGN UP FORM

Application deadline: 23. 5. 2026

If you wish to register more than one person, the form must be completed for each person separately.

Note that some event activities have limited capacity, so we recommend registering for your preferred sessions as soon as possible. Once the spots are filled, additional registrations will no longer be possible.

For any questions, please contact Mrs. Renata Santoro at renata.santoro@cimiteritorino.it.

2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies: Call for papers

The European Institute of Cultural Routes invites you to the 2nd Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, held on 12 and 13 November 2026 in Lugano, Switzerland.

About the event

The Secretariat of the European Institute of Cultural Routes and the UNESCO Chair in ICT to develop and promote sustainable tourism in World Heritage Sites of USI – Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano (Switzerland) are pleased to launch the call for papers of the 2nd International Conference of the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies.

The conference will take place at the Università della Svizzera italiana in Lugano (Switzerland) from 12 to 13 November, 2026.

Building on the first edition, it aims at:

highlighting and discussing research and academic activities related to cultural routes;
strengthening the University Network for Cultural Routes Studies, providing a foundation for collective action;
fostering collaboration between academics and practitioners, shaping future research agendas and offering scientific advice to the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe Programme;
disseminating scientific knowledge about the cultural routes and their role in promoting an European identity.

Call for papers

Anyone interested in participating is invited to submit a paper proposal via the EasyChair platform no later than 19 April 2026. Proposals must be written in English and should not exceed 500 words.

When submitting, please indicate your paper category:

Ongoing research/published papers (conference presentation only).
Original research (eligible for the forthcoming edited handbook).

Accepted authors are expected to present in person in Lugano. Inclusion in the handbook is contingent upon the timely submission of requested revisions.

As the European Cemeteries Route has been a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe since 2010, the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) would like to encourage our representatives to attend the conference with some interesting presentation topics.

Further information

For full details on themes, submission guidelines, and important dates, please consult the official Call for Papers available HERE.

For any additional questions contact the Conference Chairs:

Silvia De Ascaniis (silvia.de.ascaniis@usi.ch) or
Lorenzo Cantoni (lorenzo.cantoni@usi.ch).

ASCE Conference 2026: Call for papers

Students at Pobrežje Cemetery in Maribor

The theme of the ASCE Conference 2026 is "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage".

Conference dates and venue

The next ASCE’s annual Conference will be held earlier than usual, this time on 18 and 19 June 2026 in Turin, Italy.

The conference will take place in Turin’s historic centre, close to the city’s Monumental Cemetery. Exact venues will be announced soon.

Conference theme: "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage"

Cemeteries engage all the senses and offer rich opportunities for learning. From sculptural and architectural heritage to the textures of weathered stone, the presence of vegetation and wildlife, and the stories embedded in family histories, these sites possess profound educational potential.

This learning, understanding and recognising the values of the past to shape our future, forms a foundation of our humanity. Yet in contemporary society, the lessons cemeteries offer risk being overlooked or dismissed as irrelevant.

This year’s conference explores how cemeteries can function as vital heritage sites for education, inviting reflection on how we preserve, interpret, and transmit knowledge across generations.

Topics

We welcome papers addressing (but not limited to):

educational programmes in cemetery settings,
cemeteries in formal and informal education,
heritage interpretation and visitor engagement,
digital technologies and heritage learning,
training and professional development for cemetery staff and volunteers,
community participation and knowledge exchange,
schools and universities working with cemetery heritage.

Submissions

Closed Subbmission Status

*Subbmissions are closed.

Individual presentations (15-20 minutes) and panel discussions (30-45 minutes, maximum four participants) are welcome.

Please submit via the form below:

An abstract of no more than 250 words
A brief CV (maximum one page)
For panel proposals, names and affiliations of all participants

The conference language is English.

Deadline for submissions: 31 January 2026
Notification of acceptance: 28 February 2026

➤ ABSTRACT SUBMISSION FORM

Editorial board

Andreea Pop, phd
Esterino Adami, phd
Ian Dungavell, phd
Ioanna Paraskevopoulou, phd
Renata Santoro, phd
Silvia Beltramo, phd

Further information

For any questions, please contact Mrs. Renata Santoro at renata.santoro@cimiteritorino.it.

ASCE President at the International Conference in Nova Gorica

International Conference in Nova Gorica 2025

ASCE President, Mrs. Lidija Pliberšek, participated in the International Conference on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held from April 14 to 16, 2025.

About the event

From April 14 to 16, 2025, the ASCE President, Mrs. Lidija Pliberšek, participated in the International Conference "Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe: Recognition and Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Cross-Border Regions", held in the cross-border towns of Gorizia (Italy), Nova Gorica, and Tolmin (Slovenia).

The event gathered representatives of the Council of Europe’s Cultural Routes, cultural heritage experts, local community representatives, and partners of the European Capital of Culture (ECoC) to explore the role of Cultural Routes in fostering cross-border cooperation and preserving shared heritage.

Presentation of ASCE and European Cemeteries Route

As part of the official conference program, Mrs. Pliberšek presented the work of ASCE and the European Cemeteries Route, a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. In her presentation, cemeteries were portrayed as complex cultural landscapes with multiple dimensions: spaces of remembrance and burial, carriers of cultural and historical narratives, and increasingly as destinations for respectful, value-based tourism.

ASCE President also highlighted several key ASCE projects and the Park of Remembrance in Maribor, Slovenia, opened as part of the European Capital of Culture 2012, as a cross-border symbol of shared memory of the victims of the First and Second World Wars and post-war killings – without divisions and without judgments of values.

Her presentation emphasized the significance of cemeteries and the European Cemeteries Route in fostering cross-border cultural awareness and preserving Europe’s diverse heritage.

You can find the event program HERE.