vom 4. bis 7 September 2025

From 4 to 7 September 2025 – The 26th Edition of the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art Returns to Stia, Tuscany

Forging, applied arts, and design. From 4 to 7 September, the town of Stia, in the province of Arezzo (Tuscany), will host the 26th edition of the European Biennial of Blacksmith Art – an international event dedicated to the craftsmanship and artistic expression of wrought iron. The Biennial is promoted and organized by the Autonomous Association for the Biennial of Blacksmith Art in Stia and the Municipality of Pratovecchio Stia.

For four days, blacksmiths from all over the world will gather in this charming Tuscan village in the Casentino Valley to share techniques, exchange ideas and best practices, and spark creativity.

Since 1976, the Stia Biennial – the world’s longest-running exhibition of artistic wrought iron – has transformed the town’s squares and streets into an open-air workshop. The event preserves and celebrates an ancient craft deeply rooted in the local culture while projecting it into the future, reimagining ironwork for contemporary society.

The Biennial is also an opportunity to bring a wider audience closer to the value of handcrafted and artistic ironwork. Live forging demonstrations, exhibitions of wrought iron pieces, conferences, markets, children’s workshops, music, and other side events inspired by the theme of “Fantasy” will allow visitors to see forging techniques up close and interact with artisans.

WORLD FORGING CHAMPIONSHIP

The highlight of the Biennial is the World Forging Championship, this year inspired by the theme “Myths and Magic.” Blacksmiths from around the globe compete, individually or in teams, to create an artistic iron piece showcasing skill, mastery, and creativity – while also exchanging techniques and ideas.

INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE COMPETITION

Another major competition is the International Sculpture Contest, entitled “Magica-mente” for 2025. Artists submit an original design, and if approved, they create the piece for display during the Biennial. The three winning works will remain as part of the public art in Pratovecchio Stia.

OTHER COMPETITIONS

The event also includes a design and drawing competition and a photography contest.

A LOGO BY PIETRO ANNIGONI

The Biennial, conceived in 1976 by Pier Luigi della Bordella and Ivan Bruschi with the support of the local administration, has welcomed for nearly 50 years both master blacksmiths and emerging talents from all over the world. Its logo depicts a blacksmith, drawn in sanguine and charcoal in 1976 by painter Pietro Annigoni, who had strong ties to Stia. Visitors can admire his fresco of Saint Francis with the birds in the nearby Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta, along with the many wrought iron works donated to the town over the years.

THE BIENNIAL IN EUROPE

As an international centre of excellence, Stia is an active member of the Ring of the European Cities of Iron Works, a network established in 2003 that brings together Europe’s most important wrought iron traditions through cultural exchanges and shared projects.

This year, the Biennial is also part of the European project Iron Notes, co-funded by the EU under the Creative Europe Programme. Partners include the LAB University of Applied Sciences (Finland, project coordinator), the Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), Oslo National Academy of the Arts (Norway), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Finnish forging company ME-talli Oy, and – for Italy – the Biennial of Stia.

Ufficio stampa:

laura casciotti – laura.casciotti@gmail.com  +39 340 302 1855

silvia poledrini – silvia.poledrini@gmail.com  +39 349 476 3830