Workshop of Living Traditions - A Feast of the Senses for All Ages
The “Workshop of Living Traditions - A Feast of the Senses for All Ages” will unfold on 18 October 2025 at Rittergut Schönberg, nestled in the north-eastern part of the rural Altmark region of northern Germany, renowned as the cradle of Prussia. Shaped by Dutch and Flemish settlers who constructed dykes in the 12th century to reclaim the land, this area is steeped in a rich tapestry of crafts, customs, and traditions. The local dialect, Low German or Altmark Platt, flourishes alongside culinary heritage like runner bean soup with pancakes and gooseberry meringue cake, while crafts, such as embroidery, rope making, and flax weaving, reflect a deep connection to the land and its culture. These living traditions continue to shape daily life, bridging past and present for the community.
Organised by the Landesheimatbund Sachsen-Anhalt and The ARCH gUG, an international charity dedicated to preserving heritage crafts, the event celebrates the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) with sensory experiences, such as hands-on crafts, local flavours, and stories and songs in Altmark Platt. Open to all ages, it aims to deepen the community’s appreciation of this living heritage.
Programme
- 10.30 am Opening of the festival with a welcome by the organisers and Florian Fischer, Director of the Kreismuseum Osterburg
- 11.00 am to 1 pm Crafting Stations (rope making, embroidery, printmaking and more)
- 1 pm to 2.30 pm Tasting Stations of local delicacies around a communal lunch table
- 2.30 pm to 4 pm Regional stories and songs by Club Altmärkische Autoren
- 4 pm to 6 pm Communal Crafting session
- 6 pm Closing speech
Throughout the day: Traditional children’s play activities and rhymes, exhibition on embroidery and timber-framed house building, crafting competitions using traditional tools and more.
