denkmal 2022: Preserving Cultural Heritage in Theory and Practice
Large Number of Exhibitors and High-Profile Trade Events / Focus on Climate Change
Excitement is growing in anticipation of this leading European trade fair. After the break two years ago due to the pandemic, everyone working in the world of conservation, restoration and old building renovation is very much looking forward to denkmal 2022 from 24 to 26 November in Leipzig. Numerous exhibitors from Germany and abroad have already registered, including specialist manufacturers, experienced craftspeople and restoration companies as well as important institutions. The wide spectrum of topics offered by the conference programme is unique in the industry, covering all aspects of the preservation of cultural heritage. One major topic this year will be climate change.
A large number of manufacturers specialised in products for monument preservation and restoration have already registered for denkmal 2022, including well-known names such as Deffner & Johann and Remmers. Companies offering paints and pigments are particularly well represented with registrations from F. Windisch, Beeck’sche Farbwerke, KEIMFARBEN, Kreidezeit Naturfarben and Kremer Pigmente. Manufacturers of building and insulation materials play an important role at denkmal. Examples include Fabryka Ceramiki, Baustoffe Haag, HAGA Baustoffe, Hasit, Hiss Reet, KLIMASAN-PERLIT, MC-Bauchemie, Nelskamp, PERI, STEICO, Udi Dämmsysteme and Xella. Glass specialists such as Glasatelier Weber, Glashütte Lamberts and SCHOTT will also be there, as well as experts in flooring products for monument conservation, including Attenberger Bodenziegel, Golem Kunst und Baukeramik and Zahna Fliesen, among others. PaX and SCHÜCO will be presenting suitable windows and doors.
The skilled work needed for this type of product can only be carried out by experienced craftspeople and restoration companies, which traditionally enjoy a position of prominence at the denkmal trade fair. Examples of such companies that have already registered are Bennert, Fachwerkstatt Drücker, Hollerung Restaurierung, HOWE HOME Manufaktur, IRT Innovative Restaurierungs Technik, Kramp & Kramp, Nüthen Restaurierungen, Paul Lorenz and Sicherheitstechnik & Restaurierung Roberto Weigel. Specialised crafting services are offered by businesses including Holzmanufaktur Rottweil, Josef Müller Bedachungen and Schreinerei R. Brunner.
For numerous significant institutions, denkmal is an event not to be missed. Many of them will be exhibiting as well as contributing to the conference programme. Institutions represented at the fair include the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz (DSD), the Deutsche Nationalkomitee für Denkmalschutz (DNK), the Vereinigung der Landesdenkmalpfleger in Deutschland (VdL) and the Wissenschaftlich-Technische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bauwerkserhaltung und Denkmalpflege (WTA). Important professional associations such as the Bundesverband Deutscher Steinmetze, the Verband der Restauratoren (VDR) and the Verband der Restauratoren im Handwerk (VRH) will have a presence at denkmal. Furthermore, there will be various educational institutions including the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, the Europäische Institut für postgraduale Bildung (EIPOS), the Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur (HTWK) Leipzig as well as the Meisterschule für das Vergolderhandwerk from Munich.
Europa Nostra Event on Cultural Heritage and Climate Change
Climate change will be the main focus of the denkmal conference programme, which once again promises to be the most comprehensive training event in the entire industry. The European Union has set a goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and laid out a roadmap for common policy in the European Green Deal. The major challenges with regard to climate change also have an impact on the future of cultural heritage and monument preservation. To achieve the above goal, meaningful dialogue is urgently needed amongst keepers of cultural heritage, preservationists, experts and political specialists with a focus on developing an approach that is suited to the particularities of cultural heritage conservation.
An event on the topic of "Preserving cultural heritage/restoring monuments with a focus on the requirements for climate-friendly sustainability", organised by Europa Nostra in cooperation with the Stiftung Weimarer Klassik, the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz and the Landesdenkmalamt Berlin will be contributing to this. In the first section, visitors can expect five different lectures, each lasting about 25 minutes. The varied programme of lectures will be followed by a one-hour panel discussion and conclude with a 30-minute reception.
Focus on Climate Change: High-Profile Events Staged by National and International Institutions
The Wissenschaftlich-Technische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Bauwerkserhaltung und Denkmalpflege (WTA) will be exhibiting on the collective stand of the Fraunhofer IRB this year. They have now planned three different highlights as part of denkmal 2022: The International General Meeting, the presentation of the "WTA Young Professionals Awards" and support for the event focusing on "Monument Preservation in Times of Climate Change". The latter also involves the Fraunhofer IRB and Vereinigung der Landesdenkmalpfleger in Deutschland (VdL).
Further events on the conference programme at denkmal that address the complex topics concerning climate change are "Klimawandel und Vermittlung" (organised with the help of the German Commission for UNESCO, ICOMOS Deutschland and the Landesamt für Denkmalpflege Sachsen) and the symposium "Denkmal for Future" presented by VdL and the Fraunhofer IRB.
From Protecting Cultural Heritage in Crisis Areas to Immaterial Cultural Heritage: Further Highlights of the Conference Programme
The Russian attack on Ukraine has unfortunately meant that cultural heritage and monument conservation in crisis areas have become more significant. ICOMOS Deutschland will present a symposium at denkmal that is especially devoted to this topic. A further highlight will be the 4th Deutsche Forum Baukultur und Denkmalpflege presented by the Bund Heimat und Umwelt in Deutschland (BHU). The theme of this year's event will be "Wood Structures – from the Traditional to the Modern".
At the denkmal Forum and KULTURERBE-Forum, which take place right in the exhibition hall in the middle of the trade fair, there will be numerous other events on a wide range of issues from the world of monument conservation and restoration. Among other things, the focus will be on conservation outreach, industrial culture, immaterial cultural heritage and the acquisition of young talent to work in the industry.
In addition, numerous institutions will be taking the opportunity to use denkmal as a platform for their assemblies and meetings. The Verband der Restauratoren (VDR) and Verband der Restauratoren im Handwerk (VRH) will be holding their members and annual general meeting at this leading European trade fair. There are also plans to hold various meetings of specialist groups such as Bund Heimat und Umwelt in Deutschland, VDR, Landesdenkmalamt Sachsen, Verband Deutscher Kunsthistoriker and the European journeyman association „Confédération Compagnonnages Européens" (CCEG).