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

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

WDEC 2026 in Lithuania

Highlights from the guided walks at historic cemeteries in Lithuania that were held as part of Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026.

About the Event

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, the Cultural Heritage Department under the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania organized several educational guided walks across Lithuanian cemeteries. Aligned with this year's global emphasis on quality education, these initiatives successfully highlighted Lithuania's historic burial grounds not merely as places of mourning, but as open-air museums rich in architectural, historical, and regional heritage.

Guided Walks at the Historic Cemeteries of Vilnius

In the capital city of Vilnius, the public was invited to explore some of the country's most significant historic cemeteries. Led by historian Vida Girininkienė, a series of three specialized educational walks took place at Rasos Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery:

• 27 May 2026 | Educational walk “Historical Rasos”
• 28 May 2026 | Educational walk “Artistic Rasos”
• 29 May 2026 | Educational walk “Antakalnis Cemetery: Historical Cross-Sections”

Guided Walk at Panevėžys Old Cemetery

In northern Lithuania, an educational event took place in Panevėžys on 28 May 2026. The event began in the education hall of the Panevėžys Local Lore Museum, featuring introductory greetings from the head of the division, Rasuolė Kerbedienė, and specialized presentations by cultural heritage experts Indrė Baliulytė and Rasa Visockaitė.

Following the presentations, museum historians Dr. Arūnas Astramskas and Jūratė Gaidelienė led an interactive educational walk at the Panevėžys Old Cemetery (also known as the St. Peter and Paul Parish Cemetery) entitled “Memory in Cemeteries: Personal or Public?” During the walk, they guided participants through the distinctive local funerary art and regional history of the site.

Event Highlights

For more details, visit the organizers' website.

Some highlights from the guided walks at Panevėžys Old Cemetery and Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius can be seen in the videos below.

WDEC 2026 tour and performance at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin

Highlights of the WDEC 2026 guided tour and live student performance honoring civilian war victims at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin on 5 June 2026.

About the event

On Friday, 5 June 2026, the Monumental Cemetery of Turin hosted a special event as part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC) 2026 and Archivissima 2026. The event was organised by AFC Torino S.p.A. in collaboration with the National Association of Civilian War Victims (ANVCG) and the Historical Archive and Cultural Heritage Office of the Waldensian Board.

Guided Tour

Starting at 5:30 PM, the programme featured a guided tour titled “La ______ mancante. Perdite e lacune nelle storie delle vittime civili di guerra” (“The Missing ______. Losses and gaps in the stories of civilian war victims”). Led by Federica Tammarazio, a prominent art historian and archivist, the tour explored themes of memory, archival gaps and the stories of civilian victims of war, in line with Archivissima’s 2026 core topic, “Quello che non c’è” (“What is not there”).

Live Performance

The historical exploration concluded with a powerful emotional impact at the Campo della Gloria (Field of Glory). Students from the Liceo Coreutico Teatrale Germana Erba delivered a moving live performance. Using the universal languages of dance and theater, the young artists brought the archival narratives to life, giving voice to those who could no longer speak and transforming historical memory into a vibrant call for peace.

You can watch the full performance in the video below.

Highlights from the WDEC 2026 in Krakow

Highlights and photographs from the guided walk held on 27 May 2026 at the New Cemetery of Podgórze in Kraków, Poland.

About the event

More than 30 people attended the guided walk “In the Footsteps of Famous People”, held on 27 May 2026 at the New Cemetery of Podgórze in Kraków. The event was organised by the Association PODGORZE.PL as part of this year’s Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC).

Following a short introduction to the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe (ASCE) and the idea behind WDEC, participants were presented with a brief history of the cemetery. The walk then continued with visits to eight graves of notable individuals buried there, including scouts, painters, and soldiers.

The tour was guided by members of the Association PODGORZE.PL together with invited guests.

More information about the event is available at: https://podgorze.pl/kolejny-spacer-po-nowym-cmentarzu-podgorskim-za-nami/

Photos from the event

WDEC 2026 in Barcelona Cemeteries

As part of the WDEC 2026, Cementiris de Barcelona is showcasing its educational programme “Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage”.

About the programme

One of the pillars of Cementiris de Barcelona is its educational service, which works to promote Barcelona’s cemeteries as cultural assets of exceptional importance, fostering public knowledge and helping to normalize death. This mission is reflected in the programme "Life Lessons: Cemeteries as Educational Heritage". Although featured during WDEC 2026, the programme is not limited to this one week. Educational activities are conducted throughout the year across several Barcelona cemeteries, demonstrating the organisation’s long-term commitment to learning, cultural heritage, and community engagement.

The educational activities, tailored to various learning stages, offer a unique opportunity to explore the rich funerary heritage of the Poblenou and Montjuïc cemeteries—both classified as monumental by the Council of Europe—as well as the Funeral Carriage Collection, the Funerary Library, and other cemeteries in Barcelona. Together, these sites represent a significant cultural legacy and a collective memory shared by society.

This initiative is led by the team at Cementiris de Barcelona: highly qualified professionals committed to continuous improvement, who balance compassionate care for families during the farewell process with excellence in educational outreach. By engaging students in meaningful educational experiences, the educators foster deep respect for heritage preservation while working to normalise death as an essential, natural part of life.

By addressing a fundamental topic that remains taboo for many, these activities provide a supportive space for reflection. The subject of mortality is approached with the utmost respect for diverse beliefs, religions, and cultural traditions, allowing participants to fully appreciate the rich symbolic expressions that define Barcelona’s funerary heritage.

You can read more about the programme HERE.

WDEC 2026 at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri

On 26 May 2026, a special guided walk for local students took place at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri (Moldova), focusing on education, memory and local history.

A guided walk for local pupils

As part of WDEC 2026, the Volintiri Municipality and the “Maria Biesu” local school organised a special guided walk for students at the Lower Cemetery of Volintiri on 26 May 2026. Bringing together education, local heritage and community memory, the activity invited pupils to explore the graves of local teachers and reflect on the lasting role of educators in shaping local identity, values and history.

At the cemetery, pupils discovered that local heritage is not only preserved in books, but also in places that keep the community’s memory alive. Guided by two local teachers—Ms Angela Tih (school director) and Mr Stepan Efremov (history teacher)—the group walked from one grave to another, focusing on the resting places of educators and school staff who shaped generations in Volintiri.

The visit was designed as a learning journey. At each stop, pupils were encouraged to listen, ask questions and reflect: What does a teacher leave behind? How do schools and families carry values forward? How does a village remember those who served it? These discussions naturally connected education with identity and civic responsibility, showing that “quality education” is also about respect, gratitude and continuity.

From remembrance to action

A key moment of the activity focused on preserving memory. We talked about the importance of maintaining teachers’ graves, especially those who no longer have relatives able to care for them, as well as renewing a local tradition of visiting these places with pupils to clean and maintain them. In this way, remembrance becomes action and offers pupils a practical lesson in community responsibility.

To extend learning beyond the cemetery visit, pupils were encouraged to continue the conversation at home by starting with a simple question: “What does the word cemetery mean?” This helped connect school learning with family dialogue, strengthening intergenerational understanding of local history and heritage.

Through this activity, the Lower Cemetery became more than a place of remembrance—it became a meaningful learning space where education meets memory, and where pupils can see how local history is preserved through people, places and shared responsibility.

Photos from the event

*Photos source: www.facebook.com/PrimariaVolintiri

WDEC 2026 at Vienna Central Cemetery

Discover the programme of activities taking place during WDEC 2026 at Vienna’s Central Cemetery in Austria under the motto “What really matters in the end?”.

What really matters in the end?

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, Bestattung Wien and Friedhöfe Wien are hosting a series of events centred on saying goodbye, remembrance and living forms of commemoration, taking place from 26 to 30 May 2026.

What remains of a person? What do we remember today, tomorrow and many years from now? Under the motto “What really matters in the end?”, this themed week is dedicated to the core of their work – dignified farewells, remembrance and the continuation of stories. The focus is on what truly matters to people in the end, which is making remembrance possible, whether through rituals that provide comfort or places where grief, love and connection can find their place.

Visitors can expect a wide range of events addressing topics such as end-of-life planning, bereavement support, places of remembrance and new ways of saying goodbye.

Renate Niklas, Managing Director of Friedhöfe Wien GmbH, emphasises: “Cemeteries are spaces of remembrance. They give people the opportunity to commemorate, to pass on life stories and to feel a sense of closeness, even when someone is missing. With this themed week, we are showcasing this diversity and highlighting the special role of cemeteries as places of encounter right in the heart of the city.”

Jürgen Sild, Managing Director of Bestattung Wien GmbH, emphasises the social aspect: “We support people during difficult times in their lives and are responsible for ensuring that farewells are conducted with dignity and in a contemporary manner. As part of the Wiener Stadtwerke Group, we see ourselves not merely as service providers, but as a central point of contact for all matters relating to farewells, bereavement and death, in the spirit of providing comprehensive public services.”

All events are free of charge; for some, registration is required due to limited capacity.

Programme

➤ May 26 to 30 | Exhibition opening: As in Heaven – Europe’s Impressive Domed Vaults

At the Church of St Borromeo at Vienna’s Central Cemetery, the exhibition “As in Heaven” by photographer Gerd W. Götzenbrucker offers a new perspective on the perception of sacred architecture. The focus is on large-format photographs of impressive European church domes. The dome of the cemetery church is presented as an integral part of the exhibition.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26 to 30, 2026, daily from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Location: Church of St Borromeo at the Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• More info: WIE IM HIMMEL – KREATIVBÜRO FRISCHESGRAS

➤ May 26 | Guided Tour: Graves of Honour at Vienna’s Central Cemetery – “Noble, poor or rich, death makes us all equal”

This tour offers deep insights into Vienna’s Central Cemetery. Participants will discover its origins, organization, and the daily working life of Europe’s second-largest cemetery. The walk highlights its unique art and architecture, alongside fascinating stories of well-known figures from politics, art, and culture who have found their final resting place here.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, starting at 12:30 PM
• Starting point: Central Cemetery, Gate 2 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 26 | Lecture: Farewell in Vienna – Funerals and Cemeteries

A bereavement is always an emotionally challenging situation. Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries provide information on how to make funeral arrangements. In addition to funeral planning, the lecture covers topics such as organising a funeral service, the first steps to take following a death, and the variety of grave types available, ranging from traditional coffin graves to urn and natural graves.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 26, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
• Location: PVÖ Ottakring District Organisation (Koppstraße 100, 1160 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Funeral Services and Vienna Cemeteries

➤ May 27 | Keynote Talk & Panel Discussion: Near-death & Near-death Experiences

This event features a keynote lecture titled “Near-Death & Near-Death Experiences” by Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert). It is followed by a moderated panel discussion with Prof. Dr Rotraud Perner (psychotherapist/psychoanalyst, Protestant theologian), Brigitte Guschlbauer (author), Mag. Jan Sokora (Catholic priest, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Church at the Central Cemetery), Prof. Dr Roland Sedivy (pathologist, medical law expert), exploring medical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives on what happens at the threshold of life and death. Moderator: Alwin Schönberger (head of the science section at the news magazine “profil”), 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
• Location: Simmering Crematorium Cemetery, Crematorium Room 4 (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)

➤ May 28 | VHS Educational Walk: The Circular Economy of Life and Death

How can a space dedicated to farewell also become a hub for welcome transformation? This educational walk, part of the "Circular (Economy) in Motion" series, explores the Vienna Central Cemetery as a fascinating setting for uninterrupted life cycles. Participants will enjoy a guided tour of the Funeral Museum and a guided tour of the cemetery grounds focusing on how modern circular economy principles are applied to cemetery operations, resource conservation, and wildlife habitats.

From resource-conserving day-to-day management to burial practices that blend tradition with sustainability, this tour offers a forward-looking perspective. It is particularly suitable for those interested in lived sustainability, the practicalities of cemetery work, and the uniquely Viennese sense of humor surrounding burial culture.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 28, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
• Starting point: VHS Simmering (Gottschalkgasse 10, 1110 Vienna)
• End point: Vienna Central Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 234, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizers: Vienna Adult Education Centres (VHS), in cooperation with Friedhöfe Wien GmbH and Bestattung Wien
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 18+)

NOTE: Part of the route uses public transport.

➤ May 29 | Fire Celebration: Exclusive Guided Tours of the Vienna Crematorium

Under the guiding question "What truly matters in the end?", Friedhöfe Wien and Bestattung Wien present an exclusive guided tour of the Vienna Crematorium. These tours aim to demystify the cremation process and provide educational insights into what happens behind the scenes, from technical facilities and safety measures to fire safety.

In a space where grief, love, and connection are given room to breathe, these tours address the core of dignified farewells. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the infrastructure and rituals that provide support to the living while honoring the stories of those who have passed.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, at 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM (tours last approx. 1.5 hours)
• Location: Main entrance, Feuerhalle Simmering Cemetery (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna)
• Organizer: Friedhöfe Wien GmbH
• Cost: Free of charge (ages 10+)
• Tours language: German

NOTE: Maximum 25 people per tour. Registration required via post@friedhoefewien.at. When registering, kindly indicate your preferred time slot. Participation is only valid once a confirmation has been received.

➤ May 29 | Mourning Café & Designing a Nature-Inspired Memorial Site

No one understands grief better than those who are grieving themselves. The Bereavement Café offers an opportunity to connect and share experiences with people who are currently going through the same thing, supported by Caritas bereavement counsellors. 

Additionally, a special memorial activity takes place at the new natural burial site “Flower Meadow Graves”. There is a large deadwood hedge which can be decorated with flowers. People from the Grief Café and beyond are invited to drop by and decorate the deadwood hedge with flowers as a memorial. The flowers can be collected from the Phönix cafeteria from 9.00 am. 

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 29, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM (Flower collection and hedge decorating starts from 9:00 AM)
• Location: Cafeteria Phönix (Simmeringer Hauptstraße 337, 1110 Vienna – next to the crematorium at Simmering Cemetery)
• Organizers: Bestattung Wien in cooperation with the Caritas Bereavement Support Centre

➤ May 30 | Guided Tour: Natural Burial in the Vienna Woods

More and more people are opting for a natural urn burial where the ashes return to the cycle of nature. The “Waldesruh” forest cemetery near Breitenfurt in the Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve offers exactly that. Stefanie Balog-Rueber from Green City Vienna and an expert from Bestattung Wien will guide you through the woodland cemetery, explaining everything about natural burials and introducing the local flora and fauna of the Vienna Woods.

Event Details:

• Date and time: May 30, 2026
• Location: “Waldesruh” woodland cemetery (near Breitenfurt, Vienna Woods Biosphere Reserve)
• Guides: Stefanie Balog-Rueber (Green City Vienna) and an expert from Bestattung Wien

Additional Information

For further details regarding the described activities or to access the full programme of events, please utilize the contact information and resources provided below.

• Contact person: Julia Stering
• Email: kommunikation@friedhoefewien.at
• Phone: 0664 88483282
• Full list of events: www.friedhoefewien.at/schwerpunktwoche-2026

*Photo source: www.friedhoefewien.at

WDEC 2026 in Athens

As part of the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026, the Municipality of Athens invites visitors to participate in free guided tours at the First and Third Cemetery of Athens.

Programme

➤ 25 May 2026 | 16:00 – 17:30 | First Cemetery of Athens

Guided walk “The Poets’ Graves — The Greek Language Engraved in Memory”

A special guided walk through the graves of poets and writers at the First Cemetery of Athens, where literature encounters public memory and funerary inscriptions become precious traces of the Greek language through time.

The tour approaches the cemetery as an open cultural landscape and as a unique “anthology” of inscriptions: from archaic expressions and learned epitaphs to deeply moving dedications, personal testimonies, and even unexpected moments of subtle humour. Through monuments, words, and the stories attached to them, participants will explore the many forms of the Greek language, as well as the different ways society remembers its men and women of letters.

The route presents the graves of important poets and literary figures, the forms and symbolism of their funerary monuments, as well as the stories and “afterlives” associated with their memory and posthumous reputation.

The activity is addressed to secondary education teachers, within the framework of the blended-learning training programme “Teaching Greek Language and Literature in Lower and Upper Secondary Education.”

➤ 24 May 2026 | 17:00 – 18:30 | Third Cemetery of Athens

Guided tour “Remembrance Route 1940–1944”

A guided tour dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Occupation, famine, executions, and war, presented within the framework of the This is Athens City Festival.

The tour explores the historical landscape of the Third Cemetery of Athens and the traces of World War II preserved within it, highlighting the cemetery’s role as a place of collective memory and historical testimony.

More information is available here: This is Athens City Festival – A Remembrance Route for Those Who Didn’t Make It (1940–1944)

WDEC 2026 at Vestre Cemetery

On 20 May 2026, a unique war history tour will take place at Vestre Cemetery in Oslo (Norway), connecting local lives with global events of World War II.

About the event

Behind the peaceful gates of Vestre Cemetery in the heart of Oslo rest thousands of silent stories from one of humanity's darkest chapters. While everyday city life rushes past outside the fences, a unique opportunity awaits Oslo residents and visitors to connect deeply with the local fates of World War II.

In observance of the International War Graves Week and the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, the Burial and Cremation Agency of Oslo is opening its gates for a special guided war history tour.

The walk is not just a local initiative, but a collaboration between the Burial and Cremation Agency of Oslo, the War Graves Service in Norway, and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which is responsible for commemorating 1.7 million men and women from Commonwealth countries who died in the two World Wars.

The tour will be guided by Haakon Vinje, head of the War Graves Service in Norway under the Ministry of Culture and Equality. His guidance will provide personal and historical context to the graves and the stories they represent. “These graves are more than stones and names; they are physical reminders of the personal sacrifices that lie behind the freedom of our time,” the organizers note.

Event details

• Date and time: Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 PM
• Location: Vestre Cemetery, Oslo
• Meeting Point: Commonwealth War Graves, Section 060 (located centrally within the cemetery)
• Duration: approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Admission: free and open to all

WDEC 2026 at the Cemetery of the March Revolution

Explore the history of the 1848 revolution through guided tours at the Cemetery of the March Revolution in Berlin, Germany, on 30–31 May 2026.

About the event

The Cemetery of the March Revolution is a silent witness to one of Berlin’s most turbulent periods. In March 1848, the city rose up against authoritarian rule, demanding constitutional rights, freedom of the press, and social justice. Many of those who lost their lives in the barricade battles were laid to rest here, turning this place into a living monument to their courage and vision.

During this guided tour, we will:

• Uncover the history of the cemetery: Why was it established, and what does it symbolize?
• Meet the revolutionaries: Who were the people buried here, and what did they fight for?
• Explore the legacy of 1848: How did the events of that year shape Berlin and Europe, and what lessons do they hold for us today?

Led by Paul Schmitz, a historian with forum 1848, this tour combines historical insight with personal storytelling. Whether you’re a history buff, a student, or simply curious, this is your chance to connect with a pivotal moment in Berlin’s past.

Dates, location and booking

During the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries, two guided walks will take place at the Cemetery of the March Revolution:

• 30 May 2026 at 11:00 am (booking here)
• 31 May 2026 at 4:30 pm (booking here)

This special event is organised by forum 1848. Admission is free, but booking is required.

WDEC 2026 Workshop at the Monumental Cemetery of Turin

On 30 May 2026, the "Ti porto con me" workshop will take place at the Turin Monumental Cemetery as part of WDEC 2026.

About the project

Ti porto con me nei-luoghi della memoria (“I’ll take you with me to places of remembrance”) is an artistic exploration developed with a focus on cultural welfare. The project, which made its debut at the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex in Siena, curated by Michela Eremita, evolves here into a collective experience in which forms of expression and well-being intertwine in a process of personal and collective discovery. Within the setting of the Monumental Cemetery of Turin — a site of memory and symbolic stratification — participants are guided through an experience that fosters concentration, regulation, and presence.

The workshop activates a dimension of listening and care through self-narration, writing, and relational embroidery, transforming a place of “absence” into a “temporary community” through shared activity. The heterogeneity of the group, based on gender diversity, enriches dialogue and emotional processing, acting as a catalyst for deep connections. The gentle sound of a harp provides the backdrop for the entire journey. The project culminates in the creation of a collective digital work, a visual synthesis of the process of healing and connection experienced by the group.

The research benefits from the scientific involvement of Catterina Seia, President of the CCW Cultural Welfare Centre. At the ASCE International Conference in June 2026, the results of this artistic research will be presented through a dedicated video presentation illustrating the evolution of the workshop and the collective power of shared memories. A QR code on a card will provide access to the digital outcome.

Event details

Type of activity: Artistic research workshop
Date: Saturday, 30 May 2026
Time: 16:30 – 18:30
Location: Monumental Cemetery of Turin (entrance at Via Varano 17/A)
Participation: Free of charge as part of WDEC – booking is required (maximum 30 participants)
Notes for participants: A materials kit will be provided by the artist. We recommend bringing something to sit on the grass, such as a yoga mat, towel, lightweight chair, or stool.

About the artist

Sara Conforti Hòfer (Turin, 1973) is a relational artist and researcher. She works in the field of cultural welfare with an approach focused on designing artistic practices that promote health and well-being. She trained at the CCW (Cultural Welfare Centre) in Turin, where she completed two specialist Master’s degrees. Her research explores the intersection between poetic vision and bio-psychosocial well-being.

The artist develops participatory processes that combine ethnographic methods and collective narratives, giving form to choral works and contemporary rituals aimed at redefining social bonds. Her practice is supported by a solid network of collaborations with public bodies, museums, and national and international institutions. Key partnerships include major banking foundations such as Compagnia di San Paolo, Cariplo, and CRT, as well as leading centres for contemporary art, including Castello di Rivoli, PAV – Parco Arte Vivente, Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, and Palazzo Ducale in Genoa.

Her work has been presented in internationally significant contexts, including the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, the One World Trade Center in New York in collaboration with the Moleskine Foundation, and the Florence Biennale, where she received the Lorenzo il Magnifico Lifetime Achievement Award.

More at: saraconfortihofer.com

Video of the workshop

WDEC 2026 at Italian Cemeteries

Explore SEFIT Utilitalia events and guided tours at Italian cemeteries during Week of Discovering European Cemeteries 2026.

19 May 2026 | Press Release from the Utilitalia SEFIT Enhancement Working Group

The Utilitalia SEFIT Cemeteries Historical, Artistic, and Touristic Enhancement Working Group is participating at the end of May in an interesting annual project by ASCE: the Week of Discovering European Cemeteries (WDEC). This is a period, sometimes lasting just over a week, to highlight our cemeteries. The theme of this year's event relates to Sustainable Development Goal 4 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda: Quality Education.

Cemeteries are, in fact, places where it is possible to study history, learn about art, and generally delve into issues relating to local culture and society—valuable subjects for building a more sustainable future through knowledge.

With the participation of several member cities of the WG Valorizzazione (Promotion Working Group) in the WDEC project, we are fulfilling the commitments made in 2017 through the Memorandum of Understanding signed between SEFIT and ASCE for the mutual promotion of cultural activities.

The Verano in Rome, the Monumental Cemetery in Turin, the Certosa of Bologna, the Staglieno in Genoa, the Monumental Cemetery in Milan, the Certosa di Ferrara, the Monumental Cemetery in Trento, and the Monumental Cemetery in Verona are among the historic and significant Italian cemeteries that are members of the Utilitalia SEFIT WG and are participating in WDEC 2026 with various cultural activities, events, and themed guided tours. These activities are listed in the booklet, which can be viewed and downloaded from the following link:

• https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2479ba316f.html