Stone-Ideas.com 
The International Sculpture Symposium at the Steinzentrum Wunsiedel / EFBZ (Competence Center for Stonemasonry and Stone Sculpture) took place for the 30th time this year. Its motto was “The Five Senses” and it was dedicated to the German poet Jean Paul (1763 – 1825), born in Wunsiedel, whose 200th anniversary of death is being commemorated.
The aim of the annual symposium is to demonstrate the importance of natural stone and craftsmanship to the public. At the same time, it aims to promote intercultural exchange with artists from many countries. This time, sculptors from the USA, the Czech Republic, Italy, Turkey, Spain, and Germany were invited.
From July 01 to 11, 2025, they had the opportunity to transform their ideas into Wunsiedel marble. The material is not pure white, but has many veins and is very coarse-grained. In the past, it was a popular building material throughout the region not far from Nuremberg.
The poet Jean Paul is known for his language and often explored the senses and their significance for human existence. Well-known sayings include “The eyes are the windows of the soul” and “The ear is the path to the heart.”
Many of the finished sculptures will remain permanently in Wunsiedel and enrich the cityscape or the stone center.
Normally, there is a call for entries for the symposium with the opportunity to apply. In 2026, there will be again be such an international call for artists. We will announce it in our Calendar of Symposia/Festivals.
The Competence Center for Stonemasonry and Stone Sculpture, colloquially known as the Stone Center, is an institution offering services to stonemasons from all over Europe and beyond. Since 1990, it has been providing training, advanced training, and further education in the field of natural stone. With nearly 600 course participants of all ages, it is the largest competence center of its kind in Europe.
Skills and technical knowledge are the focus of the courses. A sense of community and close cooperation within the craft is also cultivated. “Above all, through collaborative projects, we promote interpersonal skills, teamwork, mutual acceptance, and thus personal development and creativity – all qualities that are essential in one’s professional and private life,” the website states.
Plans for the proposed “Campus Steinzentrum Wunsiedel” were recently presented.
Calender for Symposia/Festivals
Photos: Steinzentrum
