In Hèrtz von Holtz – Wood Sculpture Symposium

A symposium in the heart of the wood

In Hèrtz von Holtz — meaning «in the heart of the wood» in the Cimbrian language — is the annual wood sculpture symposium organized by the Cimbrian Institute / Kulturinstitut Lusérn in Luserna/Lusérn. As the smallest municipality in Trentino and the last surviving Cimbrian linguistic island in Italy, it sits gracefully on a plateau between the province of Trento and Trentino-Alto Adige. For six days, five sculptors selected by a jury work outdoors in the heart of the village, creating pieces that become a lasting part of the community's heritage.

From logs to art

The symposium was born with a clear purpose: to give new life to logs—often salvaged from fir and larch trees felled by the Vaia storm—while celebrating the ancient traditions of the Cimbrian people. The artists do not work behind closed studio doors; instead, they work under the gaze of passersby, who can follow every step of the creative process, from the initial rough-hewing of the log to the final detailing of the work.

Cimbrian themes

Each edition focuses on themes linked to Luserna's themed trails. The sculptures depict traditional crafts—the woodcutter (Zymmerman), the lace-maker, the beekeeper—the plateau's wildlife—ants, snails, bees, wolves, the alpine salamander—and characters from Cimbrian folklore, such as the children of Frau Pèrtega and the Basilisk.

Themed trails

The works created during the symposium are permanently installed along the paths surrounding the village, turning it into an open-air museum. Highlights include:

• Spring Trail (Dar staige von långez), dedicated to ancient crafts;
• Bear Tracks Trail (Nå in tritt von per), dedicated to local fauna;
• Folklore Trail, populated by the fantastic figures of Cimbrian tradition.

Every year, the collection of sculptures grows, drawing thousands of hikers along the trails of the Alpe Cimbra.

A project of the Cimbrian community

The initiative is promoted by the Cimbrian Institute with the support of the Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol Region, Alpe Cimbra, and the Magnifica Comunità degli Altipiani Cimbri. More than just an art event, In Hèrtz von Holtz is a vital part of the efforts to preserve the Cimbrian language and culture in Luserna, one of the most authentic and secluded villages in Trentino.