Woodcarving, a living and international tradition in Brienz
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International Wood Sculpture Symposium: 4 – 8 July 2023
The entire OC is already looking forward to the next edition of the International Wood Sculpture Symposium, from Tuesday, July 4 to Saturday, July 8 2023, hopefully in conditions as perfect as the past edition.
Information for visitors
Visit the symposium and watch the artists at work. An entertainment program as well as catering and a free entertainment program in the evening invite you to linger on the shores of Lake Brienz.
If you want to follow the artistic work from start to finish, it is best to stay overnight in Brienz and visit the symposium every day.
Find your accommodation at brienz-tourismus.ch
Short facts
The wood sculptors arrive in Brienz on Tuesday at noon. After organizational information, the logs are distributed and the workstations are set up.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the artists work mostly with rough equipment to shape the logs. From Wednesday on, whenever possible, the work should be done with hammer and chisel...
Live woodcarving of traditional Brienz Bears
In addition to the symposium with the International participants on the Cholplatz and Quai, the wood sculptor Simon Schild from Brienz has come up with something very special.
From Wednesday, July 5 to Saturday, July 9, 2023, he will carve live traditional Brienz bears in the Swiss Wood Sculpture Museum Brienz.
The museum is in near walk distance of our location (200 meters).
Information for woodcarving artists
The application deadline is over, an incredible 71 applications from 27 countries have been received for this year's Wood Sculpture Symposium Brienz.
Information for wood sculptors regarding participation in 2024 will be made available online in the fall.
International Wood Sculpture Symposium Brienz
The symposium has been held in Brienz since the 80s. Since 2012, the association KUNA (organizers of the Art Night Brienz) has taken over the management of the symposium, in collaboration with Brienz Tourism.
Away from the individual workplaces spread across the entire quay, the symposium was given an event character. The participants work closer together so that there is an exchange among themselves and everyone can benefit from the different influences of the other participants. The School of Wood Sculpture has also been involved and learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have learned on site.
A freely accessible room program with musical entertainment and a festive restaurant with food and drink invite visitors to linger. Locals, tourists and sculptors thus spend an unforgettable time together on the shores of the beautiful Lake Brienz.
Wood sculpture tradition in Brienz
Woodcarving has a long tradition in Brienz. The beginnings of professional woodcarving in Brienz date back to the 19th century.
More information about the art of woodcarving in Brienz: