Programme

Check out the programme of the FRH Biennial Conference “The time is now: How to future-proof religious heritage together“.

Download the programme here

Thursday, 22 October 2026

Venue: Irish College Leuven, Janseniusstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium (View on Google Maps)

8.30 | Registrations

9.00 | Official institutional welcome:
            – Patty Wageman, President of FRH
            – Mr. Georg Haeusler, Director Culture Creativity and Sport, EU Commission
            – Peter De Wilde, CEO Flemish Heritage Agency
            – Wouter Jaspers, Director PARCUM

1º SUB-THEME: From community-based to holistic: Different approaches to future-proofing religious heritage

Moderator: Adam Klups, Care of Churches & Diocesan Advisory Committee Team Leader and Senior Church Buildings Officer at the Anglican Diocese of Gloucester, United Kingdom

09.30 | Keynote presentation by Luigi Bartolomei, professor in the Department of Architecture at the University of Bologna
10.00 | Presentation by Manuela Klauser, member of the TRANSARA research group at the University of Bonn
10.15 |  Audience Q&A
10.30 | Coffee break – Discover the inspiring story of Sint-Godelieve Abbey in Bruges on the screens.
11.00 | Presentation by Dani Kranz, director of the Tikvah Institute in Berlin
11.15 | Presentation by Karim Ettourki, Consultant of the KADOC Public Services and Sharing Expertise department; and Hajar El Hadji, policy officer at EMPACT
11.30| Abstract presentation. “The implementation of digital tools in the interpretation of heritage from a cultural and pastoral perspective”, by Anna Vilanova-Prat, Tourism Officer at the Cathedral and the Archdiocese of Barcelona
11.37| Abstract presentation. “Safeguarding Endangered Religious Heritage at the Great Prespa Lake” by Bert Ludwig, Director of the European Heritage Volunteers
11.44 | Audience Q&A
11.55 | Summary by the moderator of the day
12.00 | Lunch at the Irish College Leuven  – Discover the inspiring story of Sint-Godelieve Abbey in Bruges on the screens.
 
STUDY VISITS
13.30 | Bus departure to site visits. Participants will be divided into two groups. The first group will visit Site 1 first and then head to site 2, and vice versa.

 
Site 1 – Paul van Ostaijen Cultural Centre in Heverlee, Leuven
Former monastery transformed into a carbon neutral multifunctional space and cultural hotspot.

 
Site 2 – Saint-Michael’s and Saint Anna’s churches in Boutersem 
Several churches of the municipality are currently exploring extended use possibilities as part of a municipal “church policy plan”. We will visit two of them:

The Saint-Michael’s Church is home to the community project ‘Come and see’. Rooted in the Christian tradition, this project creates a place to pause, reflect, connect, and explore spirituality.

St Anne’s Church, which has been converted into a community center and museum dedicated to local religious heritage. A place for cultural events, exhibitions, and social gatherings managed by the non-profit organisation Hannah Acteum.

CONFERENCE DINNER AND EVENING PROGRAMME

Venue: Abdij van Vlierbeek – Abdij Vlierbeek 14, 3010 Leuven (View on Google Maps)

17.30 – 22.00 | Conference dinner and evening programme at the Vlierbeek Abbey 

We invite you to experience Vlierbeek Abbey not simply as a historic site, but as a living place, shaped and cared for by the people who are part of it today.

Over dinner in the cloister, we will explore what a creative process for imagining the future of a religious heritage site can look like. How can we genuinely involve the people who live, work and are actively engaged in and around such a place?

During dessert, you will meet residents, volunteers and local organizations closely connected to Vlierbeek Abbey.

We will then move together to the abbey church for a special evening of stories, music and reflection. We will explore what gives a place its soul and look ahead together to what its future might become.

An evening to meet, listen, experience and imagine the future together, in one of Leuven’s most remarkable religious heritage sites.

Friday, 23 October 2026

8.00 | OPTIONAL – Mass at the St John the Baptist’s Church, followed by a guided tour offered by the Bishops’ Conference of Belgium.

Venue: Irish College Leuven, Janseniusstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium (View on Google Maps)

9.30 | Coffee at Irish College Leuven  – Discover the inspiring story of Sint-Godelieve Abbey in Bruges on the screens.
9.45 | Welcome by the moderator of the day

2º SUB-THEME: Policies and instruments: Good practices cross Europe

Moderator: Rolando Volzone, architect and post-doc researcher at DINÂMIA’CET-Iscte, Portugal

10:00 | Keynote presentation by Joanna Dorsser, Real Estate Director at the Diocese of Paris
10.30 | Presentation by Sara Vermeulen, policy officer at the Flemish Heritage Agency
10.45 | Audience Q&A
11.00 | Coffee break – Discover the inspiring story of Sint-Godelieve Abbey in Bruges on the screens
11.30| Presentation by Judith Toebast, Programme manager of the Future of Religious Heritage Program at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands
11.45 | Presentation by Dr Abdul-Azim Ahmed, Deputy Director of the Islam-UK Centre at Cardiff University
12.00 | Abstract presentation. “Romanesque churches in Skåne – medieval, contemporary and future resources” by Henrik Lindblad, Affiliated Researcher at Department of Art History, Uppsala University
12.07 | Abstract presentation. “Between Charter and Site: Navigating the Gap Between Normative Frameworks and Field Realities in Walloon Religious Heritage Management”, by Sophie Denoel, Wallon Heritage Agency
12.14 | Audience Q&A
12.25 | Summary by the Moderator of the Day

12.30 | Photo Competition Award Ceremony (2024-2025)
12.45 | Religious Heritage Innovator of the Year (2024-2025)

13.00 | Lunch at the Irish College Leuven – Discover the inspiring story of Sint-Godelieve Abbey in Bruges on the screens

PARALLEL WORKSHOPS

14.00 – 16.15 | Conference participants will be divided into three groups and will rotate until they have attended both workshops and the poster exhibition. 

1st slot: 14:00-14.45   |  2nd slot: 14.50-15:35   |   3rd slot: 15.40-16.25

Workshop 1 | Different approaches to futureproof religious heritage

Moderator: Justin Kroesen, University of Bergen (Norway)

Room: Auditorium (Tables 1 & 2) | Room 1 (Table 3)

Participants will be divided into smaller groups and will rotate between three round-table sessions, each of which will explore a different approach to ensuring the long-term preservation of religious heritage, based on two specific case studies. The table below shows the location, topic and coordinators for each round-table session. 

Workshop 2 | Policies and Instruments to future proof religious heritage

Moderator: Sara Vermeulen, Flanders Heritage Agency

Room: Room 1 (Table 4), Room 2 (Tables 5 & 6)

Participants will be divided into smaller groups and will rotate between three round-table sessions, each of which will explore instruments and framworks to future-proof religious heritage, based on two specific case studies. The table below shows the location, topic and coordinators for each round-table session. 

Poster exhibition

Participants will be given free time to view the posters displayed at the hall of the Irish College Leuven. 

16.30 | Plenary presentation of the workshops outcomes by Professor Justin Kroesen (Approaches to futureproof religious heritage) and Sara Vermeulen (Policies and Instruments).

CLOSING OF THE CONFERENCE

17.00 | Summary and conclusions of the conference
17.30 | Closing words
17.45 | End of the conference

RECEPTION AND EXHIBITION VISIT AT KADOC

18.00 | Welcome and introduction to the exhibition “God on the Street. How Religion Shapes Public Space” by KADOC

Streets, squares and neighbourhoods possess a distinct character that has been shaped by the interplay of numerous actors. Alongside architects, the authorities and local residents, churches, mosque councils and religious communities have also left their mark on the environment. The exhibition explores the impact of religion and religious actors on public space through case studies in Flanders and Brussels. This evening, the curators will take you on a unique journey of discovery through this under-explored aspect of public space.

Exhibition organised by KADOC in collaboration with the Flemish Architecture Institute.

18.20 | Reception offered by KADOC

SILENT FILM AND ORGAN CONCERT (A ticket must be purchased)

Venue: Sint Jozefskerk Leuven – Bogaardenstraat 72, 3000 Leuven (View on Google Maps)

20.00 | Welcome 
20.15 | Brief introduction to organ music
20.30 | Silent film with live organ accompaniment by Paul De Maeyer
21.00 | End of the concert

Saturday, 24 October 2026 

9:30 & 11:00 | Festive events at PARCUM & KADOC

Conference participants who stay in Leuven on Saturday are warmly invited to join the following events happening in town. Both activities can be combined. Please note that these activities are not guided by FRH, although our team will provide guidance on how to get to the venues and what to expect from each event. 

PARCUM | Open door day & presentation at PARCUM (First slot: 9.30 | Second slot: 11:00)

Join this open door day to celebrate the completion of the restoration of Park Abbey, one of Leuven’s most remarkable heritage sites and home to PARCUM, a museum and centre of expertise for religious heritage in Flanders. Discover the remarkable transformation of this historic site, gain exclusive insights into the restoration process, and explore how PARCUM helps safeguard and promote religious heritage throughout Flanders. Join us for this special celebration where centuries of history meet a vibrant future. 

KADOC | Visit & presentation at KADOC (First slot: 9.30 | Second slot: 11:00)

KADOC (Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society) is opening the doors of the its Chapel of Our Lady of Fever, a former Franciscan monastery church, sold in 1987 to the University of Leuven and since 1994 serving as venue for presentations and a meeting place for art and heritage. Apart from the visit, participants will learn more in depth about KADOC’s mission in the oldest university in Belgium.