«Famous World Festivals of

Blacksmiths of the 20th -

early 21st centuries»
Prepared by:
Ladchyn Yaroslav
Isakova Hanna
 Ivano-Frankivsk International
Blacksmith Festival (Sviato
Kovaliv)
• " International Blacksmith Festival " is a traditional annual International
Blacksmith Festival in the city of Ivano-Frankivsk, which has been held since
2001. It starts on May 7 (city day) and lasts for several days. It is an important
cultural event in the life of the city and one of the largest blacksmith festivals in
Eastern Europe.
The organizer of the festival is the Union of Blacksmith Art Masters of Ukraine
(Serhiy Polubotko is the head of the union and the festival). The sponsors of the
event are Dekra and Prykarpattiaoblenergo. Assistance in holding the holiday is
provided by the city authorities of Ivano-Frankivsk.

Representatives from all regions of Ukraine and 15-35 countries of the world
traditionally participate in the festival. These are leading blacksmiths, metal artists
and sculptors, professional blacksmiths and folk craftsmen, only up to 300
participants.

One of the main tasks of the festival is the preservation and revival of
blacksmithing as an art form. Another of his tasks is to attract more tourists to the
city.

The main arena of the festival every year is Sheptytskyi Square. Other events take
place in the exhibition hall of the regional representative office of the Union of
Artists of Ukraine (international exhibition "Ornamental forging"), in the art gallery
"Legend" on Rynok Square (exhibition "Sacred sign in works of blacksmith art").
 CanIRON. Canada
• CanIRON is Canada's national blacksmithing
conference that meets every two years. The event
started in 1995 as a weekend picnic and after much
success officially became CanIRON in 1997.
• Each year, the conference travels west and east
across Canada to various cities such as Calgary,
Hamilton and Vernon.
• CanIRON events include presentations and
demonstrations of blacksmithing techniques. This
year the event was held online.

The first CanIRON

CanIRON I was held on July 1, 1997 at the O'Keefe Ranch near
Vernon, BC and was a huge success! Blacksmiths from British
Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington, Oregon,
California, Idaho and Alaska attended.
https://www.caniron.ca/history/
 «Ferraculum» Ybbsitz, Austria
Ferraculum is a three-day festival that celebrates the
art of blacksmithing, and it attracts blacksmiths from all
over the world. The festival features a variety of
activities, such as live demonstrations, exhibitions,
workshops, and competitions. Visitors can watch
master blacksmiths at work, and also have the
opportunity to try their hand at blacksmithing
themselves.
• The festival has been running for more than 20 years.
The Ferraculum Blacksmith Festival was founded in
1997 in the town of Ybbsitz, Austria. The festival was
created by a group of local blacksmiths who wanted to
showcase their work and the traditional art of
blacksmithing to a wider audience.
• The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the art of
blacksmithing and to provide a platform for
blacksmiths from all over the world to showcase
their work and exchange ideas
International Blacksmith Festival Knights and
Masters, Israel
• The festival trail will wind through the Old City’s
Christian Quarter, Armenian Quarter and circle the stone
city walls. Visitors will be greeted by characters in
historical dress. The festival itself is not only intended to
show the work of blacksmiths. The blacksmith business
is only part of it, as he himself has a large number of
other impressive activities. Starting from the duels of
knights, ending with musical parties

• The festival is an initiative of the Jerusalem Development

Authority, the Jerusalem Municipality, and Ariel, the
municipal production company.
• The festival attracts participants and visitors from around
the world, with knights and performers dressed in
authentic medieval armor and costumes. The event also
features a medieval market where vendors sell
traditional crafts, food, and drink.
 Schmiedeweihnacht
• Ybbsitzer Schmiedeweihnacht is a traditional
Christmas market and blacksmith festival that takes
place annually in the town of Ybbsitz, Austria. It is a
popular event that attracts blacksmiths, craftsmen,
and visitors from all over Austria and beyond.
• The festival was founded in 1992 and has been held
every year since then. Its purpose is to promote the
art of blacksmithing and other traditional crafts, as
well as to celebrate the holiday season. During the
festival, visitors can enjoy live demonstrations of
blacksmithing techniques, browse through a variety
of handmade crafts and gifts, and sample traditional
Austrian food and drink.
• The festival is sponsored by the Ybbsitz Tourism
Association, the Ybbsitz Cultural Association, and the
Austrian Blacksmiths' Association.

http://www.schmiedeninybbsitz.at
 The tradition of annual meetings of blacksmiths in Gelfshtyn

Hefaiston. Czech Republic was born in 1982. Initially, only blacksmiths from the former
Czechoslovakia participated in the event. Thanks to the efforts
of master blacksmith Alfred Haberman, who spread the word
about the event not only in Czechoslovakia, but also abroad,
• Hefaiston is the name of the gathering gradually turned into a meeting place for
an international gathering blacksmiths from all over the world. Hefaiston is visited by
of artistic blacksmiths. The blacksmith artists from Central and Western Europe, as well
name Hephaestus comes as from Japan, Argentina, Canada, Israel, Uzbekistan, etc.
from the name of the
ancient god of fire and
blacksmithing,
Hephaestus. The meeting
has been held regularly
since 1982 in the Gelfshtyn
Castle near Lipnik nad
Bečvou. The organizer is
the Jan Amos Comenius
Museum in Pršerov. For
example, about 500
registered blacksmiths and
metalworkers from twenty
countries attended the
2008 edition.

Commemoration of mining in Ostrava-Svinov - award at

Iron products in Helfshtyn Castle. Hephaistos 2016
 Fête de la Forge
• The "Fête de la Forge" in France is a festival held annually in
August in La Trappe, France. The festival is organized in the
form of a craft fair and is a celebration of blacksmithing art
and craftsmanship.
• The festival usually includes a range of activities including
live blacksmithing demonstrations, workshops and classes,
metalwork exhibitions and competitions.

The first Fête de la Forge was organized in 1996.

The aim was to make the world's longest forged chain and sell each link to
raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Association.

Many blacksmiths teamed up to achieve this feat and get it confirmed in the
Guinness Book of World Records.
This gathering is updated every year with a different theme.
The present craftsmen from all over France, and sometimes from abroad,
must create a piece together, which is then offered to the municipality.

http://www.maisondesforgerons.fr/lafetedelaforge/index.html
 European Blacksmithing Biennale (Stia,
Italy)
• The European Blacksmithing Biennale is the main
blacksmithing festival in Europe. It started in 1976 and
has been held every two years since then.
• This festival is designed to protect and popularize
blacksmithing in Italy and Europe. Both traditional and
modern styles of blacksmithing are presented and
celebrated.
• Events and activities at the festival include trade stalls,
sculpture competitions, design competitions and
demonstrations. Although many of the main events
remain the same from year to year, the Show continues
to evolve as new generations of artists participate.
"Iron forging" festival. (Dill, Slovenia)

• Another amazing European blacksmith

festival is the Iron Forging Festival in
Kropa, Slovenia. The three-day festival
takes place in July every year and
presents traditional Central European
and Slavic iron art.
• Learn about Slovenian history and
culture during blacksmithing
demonstrations, food, sports and
cultural events.
• For lovers of contemporary art, the Iron
Forging Festival invites dozens of
contemporary Slovenian blacksmith
artists to showcase their sculptures,
jewelry and other exquisite creations.

"The boxes of nails that we buy at the hardware store for a few
euros used to be made one at a time - by hand."
 Ferrous Artist Festival of Artistic
Blacksmithing (Hereford, Great Britain)

• The Ferrous Artist Blacksmithing Festival is a blacksmithing festival

held in Herefordshire, United Kingdom. The festival is one of the
biggest blacksmithing events in the UK and attracts blacksmiths from
all over the country and beyond.
• The festival takes place annually and lasts for several days. It is
organized on the territory of a picturesque castle and park, where
blacksmiths from all over the world demonstrate their skills, creating
various blacksmith products on the spot. The festival also hosts
workshops, seminars and lectures where blacksmiths share their
experience and knowledge.
• One of the main events of the festival is The Hereford Shield
competition, which is held annually among blacksmiths. Participants
must create an original work that corresponds to the theme of the
festival. The winner receives an award and recognition in the forging
industry.
• The festival also hosts a variety of entertainment events such as
concerts, exhibitions and fairs where you can buy a variety of
products created by blacksmiths at the festival.
 Hammer-In Festival. Homestead, Pennsylvania, USA

• The Hammer-In Festival began over 30 years ago to celebrate

the history of metalworking in Pennsylvania and promote the
future of metal arts and crafts.
• The festival is organized by Rivers of Steel, a non-profit
metalworking organization that works to educate the public
about blacksmithing and other forms of metalworking.
• Every year the Festival offers visitors different opportunities. In
2022 W.A Young and Sons Foundry and Machine Shop hosted
the Hammer-In Festival.
• Built in 1900, the Young Machine Shop was a family-owned
"shop" that made custom tools and metal parts for its
customers.
 Fire on the Mountain Festival Spruce Pine, North Carolina,
USA
• Fire on the Mountain is an annual blacksmithing
festival held in North Carolina. This state is known
for its rich blacksmithing history and many talented
artists.
• Located near the famous Penland School of Crafts,
the Fire on the Mountain Festival attracts world-
class artists from North Carolina and the United
States.

The festival, which originated in 2007 as a

local festival, was originally called
Hammerin' on the Toe. Over time, it has
grown into one of the largest blacksmithing
festivals on the East Coast.
Festival "Fitchburg Forge" (Fitchburg, Massachusetts, USA)

• The Fitchburg Forge-In has been held since

2003. This festival promotes the traditional
iron craft of Massachusetts and New England.
It also includes Renaissance themed activities
that go well with the history of blacksmithing.

• Festival activities (except those based on the

Renaissance) include live music, art vendors,
blacksmithing demonstrations, and more.

• Those interested in metalworking, New

England history, and Renaissance activities will
appreciate the eclectic nature of the Fitchburg
Forge.
 Quad State Roundup
• The Quad State Roundup in the US is an annual blacksmith festival held
in Troy, Ohio.
• The festival is held in the city of Troy, Ohio, on the territory of the local
fair complex. It usually takes place on the first weekend of September
and lasts for three days. At the festival, you can see the work of
blacksmith masters, attend master classes, and take part in various
competitions and events.
• One of the main events of the Quad State Roundup is the "Iron in the
Hat" contest, where participants can win a variety of blacksmithing tools
and materials, as well as other valuable prizes. The festival also hosts
master classes by experienced blacksmiths who share their experience
and knowledge with the participants.
• At the festival, you can see a wide range of blacksmithing, from classic
blacksmithing to modern works of art. Participants can purchase ready-
made products or order individual work from the masters.
 International Blacksmith Festival in
Japan
• There are several blacksmith festivals in Japan, but one
of the most famous is the Tsubame Sanjo Blacksmith
Festival, held every year in the city of Tsubame in
Niigata Prefecture in northwestern Japan.

• The Tsubame Sanjo Blacksmith Festival is dedicated to

the art of blacksmithing, for which the region has been
famous for over 400 years. At the festival, you can see
the craftsmanship of Japanese knives, swords, scissors
and other tools. Visitors can also watch the
blacksmithing process live, as well as visit exhibitions
and museums dedicated to the art of blacksmithing.

• The Tsubame Sanjo Blacksmith Festival is usually held in

the first two days of November and attracts many
visitors from all over Japan and the world. This festival is
a great opportunity for anyone interested in Japanese
culture and traditions to see blacksmithing in action and
learn more about its history and development.
Alberta Blacksmith and Metalworkers Guild Hammer-In - Calgary, Alberta, Canada

• Festival. This festival is a gathering of blacksmiths and

metalworkers from all over the world who come together to
share their knowledge and skills in the craft of metalworking.
• The festival usually takes place over a weekend in the summer
months and includes a variety of events and activities such as
demonstrations, workshops and competitions.
• The festival features live blacksmithing demonstrations,
workshops, classes and competitions in various categories such
as knife making, decorative metalwork and metalwork.
• The festival gives participants the opportunity to learn new
techniques, practice their skills and create their own metal
products under the guidance of experienced craftsmen.
• The festival is organized by the Alberta Blacksmiths and
Metalsmiths Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to
promoting the arts and crafts of blacksmithing and
metalworking.
Ironfest. New South
Wales
• Ironfest in Australia is an annual festival
held in Littleton, New South Wales. The
festival is a celebration of blacksmithing
and craftsmanship, as well as other metal-
related art forms.

Ironfest is now the largest annual arts festival in

Central West New Wales; celebrating the birth of
steel in Australia in Lithgow.
In its 21st year, Ironfest brings together people
from all over the world.
In 2019 (the last time the event was held due to
Covid) over 20,000 people attended; contribution
to the local economy of more than 5 million
dollars.

https://ironfest.net
 International Farrier and Blacksmith Festival
• The "International Farrier and Blacksmith
Festival" in Ireland is a festival held annually in
the city of Atery. The festival brings together
blacksmiths and master blacksmiths from all
over Ireland and is an important event for the
global blacksmith and farrier community.

At the International Farrier and Blacksmith Festival, you can see

impressive demonstrations of blacksmithing skills, visit a fair
where handmade products from the best craftsmen are
presented, and connect with colleagues and blacksmith lovers.

The festival usually takes place at the end of July and lasts
about three days. The organizers of the festival are the
International Association of Professional Farriers.