New roles for historic cemeteries discussed at Ghent conference
Historic cemeteries can combine heritage, environmental and social functions, industry hears
Not a dead end
How to balance these different roles was the subject for discussion in Ghent this week, as the city played host to the annual meeting of the Association of Significant Cemeteries in Europe. This brought together people from public and private organisations that care for cemeteries considered of historical or artistic importance.
“As the city councillor responsible for cemeteries, I am particularly proud to welcome so many European colleagues and experts to our city,” said Mieke van Hecke, Ghent councillor for civic affairs. “Ghent has the ambition to be an international example of how we develop our cemeteries into beautiful, green places of remembrance, peace and contemplation.”
The association has designated more than 150 significant cemeteries across Europe. In Belgium, these include Schoonselhof Cemetery in Antwerp, Laeken Cemetery in Brussels, and Wester Cemetery and Campo Santo (pictured) in Ghent.
Grave concerns
The conference programme covered subjects from the day-to-day management of historic cemeteries, to the tensions created when new uses are considered for burial places.
Hendrik De Bouvre, who manages the 15 cemeteries in Antwerp, presented options for increasing their value, describing heritage cemeteries as hidden treasures. “They are waiting not just to be found in an existential manner, but to be used in a socially meaningful way.”
Hans Druart, a landscape architect with the design practice Omgeving, talked about how past values and present needs can been balanced when protected cemeteries are upgraded. And archaeologists Nandy Dolman and Marc De Bie discussed their research on options for establishing natural burial sites near prehistoric cemeteries.
Meanwhile international speakers presented case studies and research from historic cemeteries in the UK, Portugal, Greece, Italy, Norway and Russia. Conference delegates also visited Laeken Cemetery and the former Salu monument workshop in Brussels, West Cemetery and Campo Santo in Ghent, and the Tyne Cot First World War cemetery near Ypres.
