Conference 2025

Grave Marker -Forging Future Remembrance!

 

Join Our Conference on Grave Markers: October 9th-12th, 2025

Discover the sustainable, innovative, and meaningful grave markers crafted by local blacksmiths. This conference will delve into:
Unique, High-Quality Craftsmanship: Tailored designs that honor loved ones.
Support for Local Economies: Preserve regional traditions and boost local businesses.
Environmental Responsibility: Reduce carbon footprints with locally sourced, recyclable metals.
Cultural Preservation: Revitalize disappearing customs and traditions.
Modern Adaptation: Blend contemporary needs with traditional values for personalized memorials.
Be part of a movement that supports healing, cultural identity, and environmental sustainability. Join us to learn, share, and celebrate this important tradition!

PROGRAM

Thursday 9th October

16.00-20.00
StartUp. Find directions.
Welcome to the Forge! Grab a coffee and snacks, and join us in the workshop. Let's take a tour and get to know the place.

Friday 10th October

7.30-8.30
Breakfast Find Directions

8.30-9.00
Welcome and Introduction
Samlingsal Find Directions
With Professor Heiner Zimmermann
9.00-10.00
Historic Grave Markers and its modern Interpretation. Samlingsal
With Jokum Lind Jensen
10.00-10.30
Fika
10.30-12.00
Group Work. Opportunities and Threats working with Memorial Markers.
With Möteplats Steneby
12.00-13.30
Lunch Find Directions
13.30-17.00
Workshops and Demonstrations
17.00-20.00
Open Forum and Socializing
18.00
BBQ Foodtruck outside the Workshop
20.00
Sauna and Pub

Saturday 11th October

7.30 - 9.00
Breakfast

8.30-9.15
Modern adaption of Grave Markers
Samlingsal Find Directions
With Professor Heiner Zimmermann

9.15-10.00
Art work based on Death
With Tobias Birgersson

10.00-10.30
Fika

10.30-12.00
Group Work. Idea Generating with Memorial Markers.
With Möteplats Steneby

12.00-13.30
Lunch Find Directions

13.30-17.00
Workshops and Demonstrations
17.00-20.00
Open Forum and Socializing
18.00
BBQ Foodtruck outside the Workshop
20.00
Sauna and Pub

Sunday 12th October

7.30 - 9.00
Breakfast

9.00-12.00
Open Forum and Socializing

Exhibition Opportunity

We invite you to exhibit your artwork in our prestigious art hall. We ask you to create a piece that explores themes of death in some form. The artwork must not exceed 50cm in any dimension. Your work will be showcased for the duration of the conference. You are responsible for arranging the transport of your artwork.

When registering, please inform us if you plan to bring an artwork.

Open Forum

Do you have ideas about Grave Markers and Blacksmithing? We offer you an open forum to share your insights. You can give a talk, host a workshop, or provide a demonstration for the participants. We can schedule you in every day from 17:00 to 20:00.

When registering, please inform us if you plan to do a talk or a workshop.  

Travel by plane:

Airport: Landvetter Göteborg

From Landvetter Airport, take the Flygbussarna bus to the main train station, Nils Ericson Terminalen (last stop). Walk to Göteborg C train station and take a train to Mellerud. There are bus connections to Dals Långed. If you inform us in advance of your arrival time at Mellerud train station, we can arrange to pick you up.

Travel by Train:

The closest train stations are Mellerud from Göteborg, Ed from Oslo, and Åmål from Stockholm. There are bus connections to Dals Långed. If you inform us in advance of your arrival time at the train station, we can arrange to pick you up.

Travel by car:

Navigate to Enetsvägen,666 95 Dals Långed. You find parking spaces and car charging are on site.

A place to sleep

We can offer a simple room at “Folket Huset” where you can use your mattress if you need a free place to sleep.
If you prefer rented accommodation, there are rooms available within walking distance on AirBnB.
Small Camping for mobile homes and camping cars.
Driving Distance:
Laxsjöns Friluftsgård Camping
Kanalvillan
Baldersnäs Herrgård
Högsbyns Leisure Center and Campsite

Please register by September 15, 2025, to help us ensure a great experience for you. There is no conference fee.

It will help us to organize better!
We will get back to you.
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Project Manager

Tobias Birgersson

Cell +46707594492

tobias.birgersson@hdk.gu.se

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Project Manager

Heiner Zimmermann

Cell +46 768898186

heiner.zimmermann@hdk.gu.se

Call for Proposals

We invite concept proposals for innovative grave markers that integrate the craftsmanship of local blacksmiths with contemporary challenges. Selected proposals (8-10) will receive funding and mentorship to develop and realize their concepts. The outcomes will be documented, published, and exhibited.

Documentation

The entire research project will be well documented. This comprehensive documentation will include recordings and transcripts of all talks, detailed summaries of workshop results, descriptions of innovative approaches, and the concepts developed during the project. Additionally, the outcomes of the grave marker competition will be showcased. All these materials will be made publicly accessible, providing valuable resources for further research, education, and practical application.

Funded by

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