The international heritage community is gathering in Ghent for the IIC conference, themed: Ensembles: Conserving Interconnected Artworks, Artefacts and Collections

The 31st IIC Conference will take place in Ghent from September 8 through 11, 2026. The theme of the conference in Ghent is: Ensembles—the preservation of interconnected works of art, artifacts, and collections. The conference will explore the preservation of heritage ensembles. The focus will not only be on the preservation and management of the works themselves, but also on the relationships between them and their historical significance. 

This conference is being organized in collaboration with local partners such as Ghent University, SMAK, MSK and KIK-IRPA. GUM & Plantentuin and the Boekentoren are part of the local organizing committee.  

The IIC and the theme 'Ensembles' 

The IIC (International Institute for Conservation) is an international professional association founded in 1950 to protect cultural heritage worldwide. The organization brings together conservators and heritage professionals to advance knowledge in the field through education, publications, and conferences. 

 Behind the scenes 

During the conference, the GUM & Botanical Garden and the Boekentoren, among others, will offer Technical Visits to participants. These visits provide conference attendees with a unique behind-the-scenes look at scientific and library heritage. During these visits, complex conservation challenges will be discussed, and there will be opportunities to meet with curators and conservators amidst the special collections. 

Expertise and international knowledge sharing

The Boekentoren possesses in-house expertise in the field of paper restoration and other conservation and management procedures, whether in preparation for loans or for the preservation of cultural heritage.  

This conference is the perfect opportunity to exchange practical knowledge with international partners and work together to further professionalize the field.

The conference will take place from September 8 through 11, 2026, at Ha Concerts in Ghent. 

Registration are open and a detailed overview of the program can be found on the conference website.  The conference will be conducted in English.