With more than 499 exhibitors from 26 countries and 13,400 visitors, the trade fair celebrated one of its strongest editions. The strong international focus was reflected not only in the high number of foreign exhibitors, but also in the number of visitors. David Kremer, Managing Director of Kremer Pigmente GmbH und Co KG, reports: “denkmal is the only trade fair in Germany that perfectly showcases old craftsmanship. This is why we have been exhibiting here for 30 years. A clear advantage for Leipzig is the large catchment area for trade visitors from Northern and Eastern Europe. We experienced a good response from trade visitors at our stand - including from the Czech Republic, Poland, Finland and Estonia.”

The large number of events not only dealt with the challenges of monument preservation, but also presented possible solutions. Confidence for monument conservation was also evident in other respects: “We were particularly struck by the strong presence of young colleagues and students, who also met up with us at the DNK stand and saw their visit to the fair as part of their training. Seeing so many young people at the trade fair shows that heritage education works. We are completely happy with our stand near the KULTURERBE Forum - it's like a marketplace. The forum always looked well-filled and the alternation between the specialist program and the exhibition provides valuable input.” said Dr. Ulrike Wendland, Managing Director of the German National Committee for Monument Protection.

Guest of honor Morocco represented at denkmal for the first time

The stand of Guest of Honor Morocco - represented at denkmal for the first time - was particularly eye-catching. The model of the Kasbah towering high into the exhibition hall impressed visitors. Over a freshly brewed tea, they were able to find out about the restoration projects in Morocco. Among other things, they learned that it is clay construction in particular that characterizes Morocco's cultural heritage. One of the central pivotal points for Moroccan heritage conservation is the work following the 2023 earthquake in the Haouz region. However, it is not just the reconstruction of destroyed buildings, but also the question of how buildings can be made earthquake-proof. The Deputy Secretary General of ICOMOS MAROC, Zouhair Bennani, underlined the motivation for coming to Leipzig: “Ultimately, we would like to see a fusion of Moroccan and German expertise, both traditional and technological, to provide appropriate and safe solutions for Moroccan heritage restoration projects and to keep pace with the growing global trend of promoting sustainable ecological construction methods in harmony with the environment.”

Bennani names one of the five thematic pillars of denkmal. In addition to sustainability and climate protection, the next denkmal in 2026 will also focus on monuments and building culture education, building in existing buildings, digitalization in monument preservation and the protection of cultural heritage in emergency situations.

Gold medals for outstanding achievements in monument preservation

The denkmal Gold Medals for outstanding achievements in monument preservation in Europe were awarded for the 14th time in 2024. International experts made their decision known and honored ten denkmal exhibitors. One of the winners is the Fundación Real Fábrica de Tapices. The foundation, based in Spain, was recognized for its international commitment in conjunction with an innovative range of traditional, sustainable, artisanal and restoration services in the tapestry industry. The head of cultural sales, Raquel Martin Ayuso, is delighted. “The medal is an unexpected surprise and simply amazing. It recognizes the work of our master weavers and restorers that we represent and the important work of our historical institution. The medal will be displayed in our office library.”

The ten winners in 2024 were:

BEECK'sche Farbwerke GmbH
for the product range based on classic coating technologies and their presentation

Saxon Monument Network (Denkmalnetz Sachsen)
for the networking of civic activities around the preservation of monuments and their role as catalysts for state institutions

German Society for Mill Science and Conservation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mühlenkunde und Mühlenerhaltung (DGM) e.V.)
for the civic engagement, the vivid presentation and modern mediation methods

Federal Association of German Stonemasons BIV des Deutschen Steinmetz- und Steinbildhauerhandwerks (Bundesverband Deutscher Steinmetze BIV des Deutschen Steinmetz- und Steinbildhauerhandwerks)
for the outstanding and lively presentation of craftsmanship and restoration work in a craft that is important for the preservation of our cultural heritage

FUNDACIÓN REAL FÁBRICA DE TAPICES
for its international commitment in conjunction with an innovative range of traditional, sustainable, artisanal and restoration services

Clay building materials Schleusner & Söhne GmbH (Lehmbaustoffe Schleusner & Söhne GmbH)
for the appealing presentation of clay as a sustainable building material and for their pioneering production of clay building products

Joint Pavillon Morocco: PEM – Patrimony Experts Morocco consisting of VD - Villa Design Company, ETS consult, G3C, LPEE - Laboratoire Public d’essais et d’études and ENAM - École Nationale d'Architecture Marrakech as well as clay artist Manfred Fahnert
for the great presentation of their cultural heritage and the vivid representation of Moroccan adobe construction

District Craftsmen's Association Meißen (Kreishandwerkerschaft Region Meißen)
for the inclusion of impulses from the preservation of historical monuments for the development of pioneering innovations for general craft practice in the Innovation Academy of Crafts, Riesa

Fahnen Fassmann Plauen Embroidery & Printing Manufactory e.K. (Fahnen Fassmann Plauen Stick & Druck Manufaktur e.K.)
for the high-quality practice and continuous passing on of the centuries-old experience of the art of parament making

Glass Bending Company Pfaltz – Glass Manufactory (Glasbiegerei Pfaltz Die Glasmanufaktur e.K.)
for the individual, handmade production of curved glass panes of the highest fitting accuracy and quality

Photos of the winners can be found on our website .

Future for four listed buildings - Messeakademie Award

Another prize awarded at denkmal is the Messeakademie award - the nationwide competition for young architects and civil engineers. It is organized by denkmal and the German Foundation for Monument Protection. The high-caliber jury shortlisted ten projects from a total of 43 submissions. This year, four winning designs were delighted to receive an award. The prize money was increased and distributed equally among the winners, as there was one design for each of the four properties that stood out among the submissions. The winners were

• Lorena Meermeier (FH Dortmund) for her design for the Hotel Lunik in Eisenhüttenstadt (Brandenburg)
• Luisa Demmer (FH Dortmund) for her design for the old fire protection office in Plauen (Saxony)
• Emily Neuy und Lisa Eyink (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) for her design for the “Half Castle” in Langenleuba-Niederhain (Thuringia)
• Ida Küppers und Bianca Heinze (BTU Cottbus) for her design for the Otto von Bismarck Foundation's Democracy Education Center (Saxony-Anhalt)

The winners can each look forward to prize money of 500 euros. You can see them here .