Schmiedetreffen, Festivals & Messen

    Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/9164970276903115

    Exhibition + Workshops   From May 4th to October 9th, 2025, the copper town of Stolberg (Rhineland) in cooperation with the International Association of Blacksmiths (IFGS) invites you to the metal designer exhibition MetAlles - The Work of Hands.   This exhibition will cover the entire spectrum of metal design, from forged objects to metal artworks. The exhibition areas are the interior of the Zinkhütter Hof Museum, the Frankentalwiese and around the Bastinsweiher in the busy city center.   The copper town of Stolberg is planning a series of events for the duration of the exhibition. The sculpture NO HATE by the Austrian artist Bernhard Witsch will be exhibited, “Forging for Peace” by Alfred Bullermann and Tom Carstens will also make a statement in Stolberg and as part of “Forging with Children” children will also have their first contact with metal.   Further information: https://www.stolberg-erleben.de/metalles-2025     Registration: https://www.ifgs.de/events/kommende-events/metalles

    In Thiers, the capital of cutlery, the Coutellia knife exhibition attracts thousands of cutlers from all over the world every year who have mastered the art of knife making. For an entire weekend, the artistic knives reflect the entire culture of their countries of origin and are of course also available for purchase at the exhibition. In addition to artisans, Coutellia also offers industrial knife manufacturers the opportunity to exhibit and sell their knives. The cutlers can take part in a competition with one of their handmade knives. The program also includes a variety of animations, including a workshop on how to assemble a knife and blacksmith demonstrations.   The trip to France is definitely worth it!   Homepage: https://www.coutellia.fr

 Olomouckého Fortel (CZ) - 17/18 Mai 2025 7.Mezinárodní setkání kovářů "Olomoucký FORTEL aneb Hanácké kování"     Information: https://kok.umelecke-kovarstvi.eu

    Information: https://fb.me/e/85UwKW4ll

    Information: https://www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk/

    Informations: https://sites.google.com/site/ironsmeltingdays/home?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2yI2zz3VmP3kmrc4xCQDd7IuNGfCprGTxQRGyjL3Qq4_308IpuWrQyNRw_aem_2Xix2Nx42v1OheLh-Jvv7g

    30 Years Hephaistus Brudderschaft Letzebuerg/7th International Blacksmith Festival - Pettingen/Mersch, Luxemburg   Further information: info@hephaistos.lu

    Further information: https://www.facebook.com/p/F%C3%AAte-du-Feu-et-de-la-Terre-100090605043003 Sign in here   https://www.facebook.com/p/F%C3%AAte-du-Feu-et-de-la-Terre-100090605043003/

  30 years of the Franz Hiller blacksmith shop   Franz Hiller - the ORIGINAL - from Obermaiselstein is celebrating its 30th anniversary and invites you all!   Let's celebrate a festival together from August 1st to 3rd, 2025 in Obermaiselstein that is all about iron, fire and tradition.   What to expect: Comradely blacksmithing at several fire pits Equipment provided: coal fire forge, press and air hammer All you have to bring is your tools and materials Food and drinks are included for everyone Everything that is made and sold goes to a good cause Live music, show acts and numerous onlookers create a good atmosphere   It will be a festival of blacksmithing and togetherness - an experience that we can share and enjoy.   I hope you'll be there!   Are you there and are you interested or would you like to join in the blacksmithing?   Perhaps this meeting will become a biennial with cult status!   best regards, your Franz   Venue: 87538 Obermaiselstein (Bavaria) Germany   Register here: https://forms.office.com/e/efrqvnj4Ep?origin=lprLink

    Informationen: https://hefaiston-helfstyn.cz/   Information: https://hefaiston-helfstyn.cz

  vom 4. bis 7 September 2025   The Casentino Valley is ready to welcome the XXVI European Biennial Show of Blacksmithing Art: all of the volunteers of our Association, supported by the entire town of Stia, are already working hard to organise the next edition which will be held from 04. to 7 September 2025.   Informations: www.biennaleartefabbrile.it

  Museum in the park Stroud, Gloucestershire, UK More information will follow     Informations: https://www.baba.org.uk/events

Gotha glüht (D) - 26/28 September 2025 "1250 years of Gotha - fire and flames"   Zur Webseite: https://www.gotha-glueht.de

      Informations: https://webcollect.org.uk/bfba/category/lectures-and-talks-1-1

  From October 9th to 12th, 2025, Campus Steneby will host a conference dedicated to discussing sustainable, innovative, and meaningful grave markers crafted by local blacksmiths. The conference will feature workshops, craft skill demonstrations, debates, and talks. This event is a unique opportunity to advance the craft of blacksmithing and foster its momentum.   Further information  www.Gravemarker.eu  

    Background   Traditionally, grave crosses or tombstones made by local blacksmiths have played a crucial role in commemoration and mourning in many parts of the world.   These tombstones provide a locally made, sustainable and meaningful way to honour loved ones who have passed away. The tradition of having a tombstone made by a blacksmith was instrumental in creating a strong cultural identity within communities. These tombstones created by local blacksmiths not only reflect the region's craft traditions, but also continually refine artisan techniques and aesthetics. Today, the development of new interpretations of regional traditions is also increasing.   A local blacksmith making a tombstone for a deceased person offers a unique opportunity to preserve that person's memory with a highly personal tombstone. This tombstone highlights the personality of the deceased as well as their connection to family, region or faith. In this situation, the blacksmith acts not only as a skilled craftsman, but also as an artist. Through close collaboration and dialogue, he interprets the wishes of the mourner or the deceased.   These traditions have not only been an essential part of building a strong cultural identity and supporting the local economy. They have also been part of a small-scale local manufacturing system that is in many ways more environmentally friendly than large-scale industrial production and global transportation of raw materials and finished products.   In our rapidly changing society, cemeteries also reflect broader societal changes. In recent decades, global industry has pushed blacksmiths out of this market, leading to the disappearance of regional cultures, customs and traditions. At the same time, digital memorials and online tributes are becoming more common, complementing physical gravestones.   Given these challenges, there is a growing need for new rituals or the revival of old ones. We believe that traditional blacksmithing can develop innovative concepts that offer new approaches to contemporary societal needs.   Competition We hope that the Gravemarker - forging future memories competition will be a contribution that will serve as an inspiration for everyone.   Deadline: 1 November 2025 Concept development: 8-10 concepts will be developed in collaboration with us. Budget: Each participant will receive a budget for production costs or rental costs for workspace. Support: Participants will have mentors and advisors available to refine their concepts and approaches. The result will be documented and exhibited. For more information, visit www.Gravemarker.eu   Contact: Professor Heiner Zimmermann heiner.zimmermann@hdk.gu.se   Further information  www.Gravemarker.eu  

      Informations: https://schmieden-ybbsitz.at/veranstaltungen/event/flammende-schmiedeweihnacht-11