Der Demokratische Wald

Eröffnung Waldkunstpfad

The 13. Internationaler Waldkunstpfad (13th International Forest Art Trail) combines a walk in the woods with the discovery of art. Since 2002, during the Waldkunstbiennale, a 2.6 km circular trail has been created, featuring around 40 remaining artworks.

To date, 221 artists from 45 countries have created 374 artworks for the 17 International Forest Art Trails in Darmstadt, the USA, China and Austria, as well as on the Modaukunstpfad and in Messel

15:00 Opening of the 13th International Forest Art Trail with Dr Peter Schüler, Association for International Forest Art (Verein für Internationale Waldkunst e.V.); Mayor Hanno Benz or his representative; Hartmut Müller, HessenForst Darmstadt; Dr Jutta Weber, UNESCO Global Geopark Bergstraße-Odenwald; Philipe Havlik, UNESCO World Heritage Site Grube Messel; and Ute Ritschel, curator of the Forest Art Trail.

16:00 – 18:00, following the opening, the artists will be present alongside their works and will be available to chat with the public

14:00 – 18:00 ‘Naturdom’, presented by Dina Rautenberg, Venue: Oak tree at the Goethefelsen

14:00 – 18:00 ‘Wald Annäherung’ – performance and workshop at the ‘Rindenmuseum’ by Anke Mellin, Location: at the Rindenmuseum, next to the information stand

15:00 – 18:00 ‘Waldbaum-Mikado’ Presentation of the game by Waltraud Munz-Heiliger, Location: information stand

16:00 – 18:00 ‘Waldkanzeln’ – an event by Fredie Beckmans, Venue: at the Wolkenkuckucksheim and other locations

16:00 ‘Voice of a Friend – Dialogue with a Tree’ Performance by Helina Hukkataival and Ida Sofia Fleming (Please bring your own headphones!), Venue: meet at the information stand

17:00 ‘No-art Project’ guided tour and event by Trond Solberg, Venue: at the information stand

The ‘Democratic Forest’ has been a focus of the Association for International Forest Art (Verein für Internationale Waldkunst e.V.) since 2025 as part of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. Fifty project ideas were submitted for the ‘Democratic Forest Reader’, of which around 30 artworks will be realised. The aim is to give the forest and nature a voice. The design concepts, which focus on social, urban and cultural development, artistically explore the multifaceted aspects of our relationship with the forest, nature and the landscape, as well as their rights.

Over 40 artists from 16 countries are taking part, including Bulgaria, Finland, India, Italy, Norway, Turkey, Hungary, the USA and Germany. The supporting programme includes performances, concerts, talks and guided tours, as well as a children’s play area on Sundays. Everyone is warmly welcome to attend the three Wednesday forums at the International Forest Art Centre (IWZ), featuring talks by the artists.

There will also be public guided tours in the forest, to the Digital Forest and the Forest Art Classroom at the International Forest Art Centre, and to Messel.