Voices on denkmal’s 30th anniversary

“30 years of denkmal - even in its anniversary year, the leading European trade fair has its finger on the pulse of the times and has fully met expectations; this is where the heart of cultural heritage beats. The professional competence was extremely high, which was also reflected in the extensive specialist program that once again made denkmal the most important further education event in the industry,” says Markus Geisenberger, Managing Director of Leipziger Messe.

This year, denkmal was once again held under the patronage of UNESCO. The Secretary-General of the German UNESCO Commission, Dr. Roman Luckscheiter, congratulated the leading European trade fair on its 30th anniversary: “Our two institutions have been linked by the topic of world heritage mediation for many years. Together we are making heritage fit for the future! Together, we are tackling the issues of active youth participation, climate change and education for sustainable development. In doing so, we are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to the heritage of humanity.”

Five Thematic Pillars

Building culture education and heritage education - this was one of a total of five content pillars that ran through the denkmal exhibition and specialist program. There were also topics that are traditionally or increasingly relevant - building in existing buildings, sustainability and climate protection. A focal point for the pillar of digitalization in monument preservation and restoration was the Innovation Forum, which was noticeably conspicuous due to its white cloud-like shape alone in the midst of traditional craftsmanship and building technology solutions and enjoyed a large number of visitors. The experts from Fraunhofer IRB, Fraunhofer IBP and the German Federal Cultural Foundation played a leading role here. This year, denkmal also focused on the protection of cultural heritage in emergency situations as a fifth pillar.

Due to its depth of content and the broad presence of the industry, Prof. Dr. Markus Harzenetter, Chairman of the VDL and member of the denkmal Advisory Board, describes the event as a trade fair of superlatives: “It was inspiring, as many different people come together here who work in very different roles on the subject of heritage conservation. Nowhere else is there such broad communication in the network association as at denkmal and this results in completely new forms of inspiration. It is also motivating, as the people here are passionate about their work and you take this momentum with you.”

International and extensive exhibition

Whether it was craftsmanship in action, sustainable building materials to touch or innovative product solutions - with 377 exhibitors from 16 countries, the denkmal exhibition left practically nothing to be desired and attracted a broad audience that was even more international this year. The denkmal and MUTEC trade fair alliance welcomed trade visitors from 42 countries - a significant increase in internationality at the trade fairs. The enthusiasm was shared by all visitors; in a survey, almost 95 percent stated that they would visit denkmal and MUTEC again in 2026 and 94 percent would recommend the trade fair duo to others.

Committed and diverse exhibitors are crucial for a lively exhibition. This made denkmal a vibrant marketplace again this year. Bennert GmbH has been there since the beginning in 1994, Managing Director Andreas Bugiel emphasizes: “It is definitely the right strategy to exhibit at this trade fair. We have enlarged our stand for every event - and this time is no exception. We will definitely be back next year. We want and need to show ourselves here. In short: denkmal is the right trade fair for us.” Together with the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences and Flex.Research, Bennert built a two-storey wooden pavilion at the stand, the roof of which, in the form of a pointed barrel, was an example of what is possible when modern digital technology and craftsmanship expertise work together.

Here we are just right

New exhibitors also draw a clear conclusion after their premiere at the leading European trade fair. Till Bödingmeier, Sales Manager Germany at Knauf Integral KG, says: “At the last event, we were still co-exhibitors. This time we are represented with our own stand. We simply wanted to be more present and are totally enthusiastic about our participation in the trade fair. Here in Leipzig, we talk to architects and planners and can present our expertise in the renovation of wooden beam ceilings in detail. This much is clear: we are exactly right here.”

The craftsmen demonstrated their skills in lively workshops. The smell of freshly worked wood, tireless sawing, hammering and drilling as well as the feel of a wide variety of building materials made denkmal a trade fair for almost all the senses. David Kremer, Managing Director of Kremer Pigmente GmbH & Co KG, was particularly pleased with the international audience: “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 have experienced a good response from trade visitors at our stand - including from the Czech Republic, Poland, Finland and Estonia.”

Monument preservation connects

International exhibitors such as HAGA AG recorded a large number of visitors and the initiation of many projects, explains Peter Röhrle, Application Technology Consultant: “We definitely want to present ourselves in Leipzig. denkmal is one of the most important trade fairs for us. This is where we make the best quality contacts. Both craftsmen and architects join us in thinking outside the box.”

The large joint Moroccan stand in the heart of exhibition hall 2 provided even more international flair. The Moroccan representatives attracted attention with an impressive stand and offered an interactive highlight with a 1:10 scale replica of a kasbah, coordinated by the earth building experts led by Manfred Fahnert. The experts from the North African country were also strongly represented in the specialist program and offered technical insights into the long building tradition of their country, exchanged views on sustainable building with clay and discussed the relevance of protection mechanisms for cultural heritage, for example with regard to earthquakes.

The circle of denkmal's conceptual sponsors also grew. The German National Committee for Monument Protection (DNK) joined the Association of Monument Offices in the Federal States (VDL), the Association of Restorers (VDR) and the Umbrella Association of Restorers in the Craft Trades (DRH). This step was preceded by years of close partnership. Heike Notz, first chairwoman of the DRH, says: “We are delighted to be able to bring various trades together.

Coveted awards and happy winners

Traditionally, prestigious awards for craftsmen, architects and conservationists are at the heart of denkmal. Once again this year, ten exhibitors were delighted to receive the prestigious and coveted denkmal gold medals for outstanding achievements in monument preservation in Europe. “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,” said Raquel Martin Ayuso, Head of Cultural Sales at the Fundación Real Fábrica de Tapices from Spain after receiving the award.

In addition to the foundation, the following exhibitors were delighted to receive a gold medal: BEECK'sche Farbwerke GmbH, Denkmalnetz Sachsen, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Mühlenkunde und Mühlenerhaltung (DGM) e.V., Lehmbaustoffe Schleusner & Söhne GmbH, Kreishandwerkerschaft Region Meißen, Fahnen Fassmann Plauen Stick & Druck Manufaktur e.K., Glasbiegerei Pfaltz, Bundesverband Deutscher Steinmetze BIV and all participants in the Moroccan community stand.

MUTEC convinces in new constellation

MUTEC, which took place alongside denkmal, once again offered valuable input and new professional contacts. This year there were a number of innovations, as the international trade fair for museum and exhibition technology was focused on two days and moved into its own exhibition hall for the first time. Here, the 122 exhibitors from 21 countries had plenty of space for intensive discussions and product innovations. The spectrum ranged from technologies, exhibition design and building management to archive solutions, lighting and presentation. In addition, the brand new MUTEC Award for outstanding exhibition design celebrated a successful premiere and the specialist program offered a wide range of further training opportunities with almost 50 events.

The next denkmal will take place from November 5 to 7, 2026, and MUTEC will once again take place in a compact format from November 5 to 6, 2026.