Iron Notes: An international network in Stia looking to the future of iron.

A delegation of artists, artisans, designers, students, teachers, and ironwork professionals from Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden will gather in Stia from April 3rd to 5th for “Iron Notes,” an international event promoting this ancient art. The event is part of the European project “At the Borders of Iron,” of which the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art of Stia, a longtime member of a European network of cities and institutions, is a partner. Lectures, hands-on demonstrations, guided tours, and a friendly atmosphere will immerse guests in the artistic and artisanal traditions of our region, with a focus on the art of metal forging. During the event, guests will also learn about its history and culture. The delegation will visit Poppi Castle, Romena Castle, and its parish church, as well as the Stia Wool Museum, the Wrought Iron Museum, and the Mountain Museum.
“Iron Notes” is a project co-funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe program. It officially launches the international network that gathers under the sign of iron, with the aim of promoting artistic and artisanal traditions by stimulating reflection on the role and use of this material in contemporary society. Professionals and enthusiasts are invited to network with a view to cultural exchange, studies, and experiences, to rethink the role of this artisanal craft and adapt it to the needs of an increasingly rapidly evolving society, and to respond to the challenges related to the environmental impact of ironworking.

The Iron Notes group is composed of representatives of the Biennale and a delegation of 12 representatives from the European partners: LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland) as project coordinator, the Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), the European Biennale of Blacksmithing (Italy), Oslo National Academy of the Arts (Norway), Göteborg University (Sweden), and the forging company ME-talli Oy (Finland).
Through the Biennale d’Arte Fabbrile, Italy consolidates the role of Stia and Casentino as centers of excellence in ironworking. The event is also an integral part of the Ring of the European Cities of Iron Works, an association that since 2003 has promoted and protected the tradition of ironworking, uniting Europe’s most significant cities in this field.