New
Smedendag Openluchtmuseum De Locht (NL) - 13 April 2025
00941600.20250413
Information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/9164970276903115
MetAlles 2025 - The Work of Hands (D) - 04 May/ 09 October 2025
00941600.20250504
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/
Further information:
https://www.stolberg-erleben.de/metalles-2025
Registration:
https://www.ifgs.de/events/kommende-events/metalles
Coutellia (F) - May 17/18, 2025
00941600.20250517
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
Hefaiston (CZ) - August 29/31, 2025
00941600.20250518
Olomouckého Fortel (CZ) - 17/18 Mai 2025
7.Mezinárodní setkání kovářů "Olomoucký FORTEL aneb Hanácké kování"
Information:
https://kok.umelecke-kovarstvi.eu
Waterworks Museum Forge-In and Steam day Hereford (UK) - 24/25 Mai 2025
00941600.20250524
Information:
https://www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk/
Iron Smelting Days Ulft (NL) - 28 Mai/01 Juni 2025
00941600.20250528
Informations:
https://sites.google.com/site/ironsmeltingdays/home?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2yI2zz3VmP3kmrc4xCQDd7IuNGfCprGTxQRGyjL3Qq4_308IpuWrQyNRw_aem_2Xix2Nx42v1OheLh-Jvv7g
Salon des Artisans du Feu et de la Terre (F) - 28/29. Juni 2025
00941600.20250628
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/
Blacksmithing Festival Obermaiselstein (D) - 01/03 August 2025
00941600.20250801
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
Hefaiston (CZ) - August 29/31, 2025
00941600.20250829
Informationen:
https://hefaiston-helfstyn.cz/
Information:
https://hefaiston-helfstyn.cz
Biennale Europea d'Arte Fabbrile di Stia (IT) - 04/07 September 2025
00941600.20250904
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
BABA Conference and AGM (UK) - 12/14 September 2025
00941600.20250912
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
00941600.20250926
Gotha glüht (D) - 26/28 September 2025
"1250 years of Gotha - fire and flames"
Zur Webseite:
https://www.gotha-glueht.de
BFBA Focus 2025 (UK) - 27/28 September 2025
00941600.20250927
Informations:
https://webcollect.org.uk/bfba/category/lectures-and-talks-1-1
Conference Grave Marker (SE) - 09-12 Oktober 2025
00941600.20251009
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
Competition Grave Marker (SE) - 01 November 2025
00941600.20251101
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
Flaming Blacksmith Christmas Ybbsitz (AT) - 13/14 December 2025
00941600.20251213
Informations:
https://schmieden-ybbsitz.at/veranstaltungen/event/flammende-schmiedeweihnacht-11