Young Ambassadors of Blacksmith Art: Students Protagonists of the 2025 Biennale
20 GIUGNO 2025 Young Ambassadors of Blacksmithing Art: Students at the Heart of the 2025 Biennale Once again this year, the European Association for the Biennale of Blacksmithing Art, in collaboration with local high schools, is promoting an educational program dedicated to young people, with the goal of bringing them closer to the art of forging and making them active participants in the event. Throughout the month of June, students created multimedia content, interviews, and in-depth features about the Biennale — focusing especially on the competitions in forging, sculpture, design, and drawing. These materials will be published on the official website of the Association, becoming an integral part of the event’s official communication. In September, during the Biennale, the students will be involved in every stage of the event’s operation: managing a social media hub, welcoming visitors by providing information about schedules, venues, events, and side activities, and offering support to participants with online registration forms. The classes involved in the project include: Class III A from ISIS “G. Galilei” of Poppi (Tourism track):Remzie Adili, Giulio Bonucci, Federica Ciabatti, Sofia Fabbri, Alice Mengoli, Marco Parisi, Valentina Peluso, Denisa Putyer, Giulia Sabatini, Melissa Ziberi Classes III A and III B from the Scientific High School “G. Galilei” of Poppi:Filippo Brezzi, Martina Caleri, Lorenzo Ciagli, Diego Di Donato, Lorenzo Lanini, Giulia Loddi, Irene Ristori, Letizia Piombini, Matilde Vignoli Classes III A Computer Science, III D Mechanics, and IV A Computer Science from ISIS “E. Fermi” of Bibbiena:Filippo Bimbocci, Allegra Pecorini, Lorenzo Rialti, Samuele Scalzo, Tommaso Tramonti, Alice Ugolini This is a project that blends education, culture, and active participation, offering students a valuable opportunity to engage with the world of event organization and take on a leading role in one of the most important events in the Casentino valley. At the same time, it’s an experience that brings the younger generation closer to the tradition and artistry of ironworking, helping them reconnect with their roots and nurturing the professionals and enthusiasts of tomorrow. PrevPRECEDENTETutti i vincitori della XXVI edizione e le date della prossima edizione AVANTIAll the winners of the 26th edition and the dates of the next editionNext
Transformation of Matter and Art: Roberto Giordani Exhibits at the Castle of Poppi
8 Maggio 2025 Transformation of Matter and Art: Roberto Giordani Exhibits at the Castle of Poppi Explore Worlds and Imaginations Through Matter – The Other Side. Chronicles of Matter, a contemporary art exhibition by iron artist Roberto Giordani, created in collaboration with the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art in Stia. The halls of the Castle of the Counts Guidi in Poppi (AR) host ten sculptures depicting female forms and ten paintings created using aluminum casts imprinted on canvas with rust, telling the story of the transformation of organic matter. Iron, bronze, steel, ceramic, concrete, and other materials take shape in Giordani’s hands, sculpted into the figures of women in his works, evoking constant transformation, acceptance of the world’s nature, and the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. The exhibition opens on Saturday, May 10 at 6:00 PM and runs until June 8.Info: +39 350 1974405. PrevPRECEDENTETrasformazione della materia e arte: Roberto Giordani espone al Castello di Poppi AVANTILa 1000 Miglia fa tappa a Pratovecchio Stia: un dono artigianale per accogliere i partecipantiNext
The Fifth Edition of the International Sculpture Competition Kicks Off
6 Maggio 2025 The Fifth Edition of the International Sculpture Competition Kicks Off You have until June 9 to take part in the fifth edition of the International Sculpture Competition, which will be held during the 26th European Biennial of Blacksmith Art. Artists are invited to submit an original, unpublished project based on this year’s theme, “Magica…mente” (Magically/Mindfully), in the form of a drawing on paper to the evaluation committee, which will select the pieces to be created. The selected sculptures will be displayed during the event in Piazza Tanucci, becoming part of a curated installation to create a Sculpture Trail. Regulations Registration Form PrevPRECEDENTEAl via la quinta edizione del concorso internazionale di scultura AVANTITrasformazione della materia e arte: Roberto Giordani espone al Castello di PoppiNext
The Masters of the Biennale in Anghiari on May 1st for the 50th Tuscan Trade Fair Exhibition
29 Aprile 2025 The Masters of the Biennale in Anghiari on May 1st for the 50th Tuscan Trade Fair Exhibition The European Biennial of Blacksmith Art Takes Center Stage in Anghiari for the 50th Valtiberina Toscana Artisan Trade Fair The European Biennial of Blacksmith Art will be one of the key features of the 50th Valtiberina Toscana Artisan Trade Fair, taking place in Anghiari from April 25 to May 4. This long-standing event celebrates artisanal excellence, craftsmanship, creativity, and the cultural heritage of the region. The forges will be fired up on May 1, when several blacksmiths from the Biennial will perform a live forging demonstration. Glowing metal will take shape under the hammer blows, right before the eyes of visitors. Lovers of handmade beauty will have the opportunity to witness up close the ancient art of wrought ironwork, where the skill and talent of the artisans are on full display. Also on exhibit will be fine handcrafted pieces, the result of the mastery of both Italian and international blacksmiths who have participated in past editions of the Biennial. PrevPRECEDENTESi è concluso “Iron Notes Summer Camp 2025 – NextGen Blacksmith” dedicato ai giovani fabbri
Blacksmithing Art Biennale Embraces the World of “Fantasy”
Dal 4 al 7 Aprile 2025 Blacksmithing Art Biennale Embraces the World of “Fantasy” Blacksmithing Art Biennale Embraces the World of “Fantasy” The forges are heating up for the 26th edition of the European Biennale of Blacksmithing Art, scheduled to take place from September 4 to 7, 2025. This year’s theme, “Fantasy,” was officially announced in Stia on Saturday, April 5, coinciding with the launch of the “Iron Notes” project. The theme will weave its way through the competitions, events, and activities that make up the packed four-day program. Blacksmiths from around the world will gather in Stia to challenge each other, refine their metalworking techniques, exchange ideas and best practices, and spark creative inspiration. The fifth edition of the international sculpture competition will follow this imaginative thread under the title “Magica-mente” (“Magically-Minded”). Applications for participation will open on April 14, with the official call for entries. In the coming weeks, the titles of all other competitions will be revealed — starting with the World Forging Championship, the very heart of the event. Also included will be the design and drawing competition, as well as the photography contest. “This year’s event will be strongly marked by its European dimension,” said Luca Santini, Mayor of Pratovecchio Stia. “We are working with European partners and fine arts academies from Scandinavia, to whom we will present the history of our region and our cultural and operational approach. Our goal is to jointly promote the art of wrought iron and support the emergence of new professional skills to meet the challenges of our time.” “We are thrilled to announce the upcoming edition of the Biennale,” added Maria Gemma Bendoni, President of the Independent Association for the Biennale. “We look forward to welcoming blacksmiths and visitors from many countries and are ready to offer an unforgettable event inspired by the world of Fantasy.” PrevPRECEDENTEIron notes, a Stia la rete internazionale che guarda al futuro del ferro AVANTIBiennale d’Arte Fabbrile nel segno del “Fantasy”Next
Iron Notes: An international network in Stia looking to the future of iron.
April 3, 2025 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. PrevPRECEDENTEIron notes, a Stia la rete internazionale che guarda al futuro del ferro AVANTIBlacksmithing Art Biennale Embraces the World of “Fantasy”Next
The art of wrought iron and the Biennale of Blacksmith Art live on Tg1 morning news.
28 Marzo 2025 Wrought Iron Art and the Blacksmithing Art Biennale Live on Tg1 Morning News The steady rhythm of hammers striking iron on anvils woke up viewers of Tg1 Mattina today. Live on Rai1 from the School of Arts and Crafts in Pratovecchio Stia, master blacksmiths demonstrated their skill and craftsmanship in forging — an ancient art that has been passed down for centuries in the Casentino area. Interviewed by journalist Elena Biggioggero, the artisans showcased traditional techniques while forging live on air. The cameras captured a wide range of creations: from furniture and tools to artistic ironworks — all crafted by blacksmiths from around the world who travel to Stia to take part in the Biennale of Blacksmithing Art and the World Forging Championship. Let me know if you’d like this adapted into a press release, article, or social media post! PrevPRECEDENTESi è concluso “Iron Notes Summer Camp 2025 – NextGen Blacksmith” dedicato ai giovani fabbri