Unlocking Hidden Heritage-German Action
The German Action for Unlocking Hidden Heritage focused on the traditional process of tar-making adopted in the Dubener Heide Naturpark area. It was principally hosted by Peter Kaiser of the Naturpark, who continues to promote the preservation of traditional standing buildings within the modern landscape, through European community projects.
The Naturpark, located north-west of Leipzig, was an idyllic setting for the group to be accommodated, with an abundance of wildlife living in the area, from kites to sea eagles and foxes to deers. A particular highlight was spent one evening observing beavers in their natural environment, a lake surrounded by trees, which they use as materials to build their dam.
The week consisted of the restoration of a 19th century historic tar kiln at the site of Landgasthof Friedrichshütte, Kossa. Tar production embodies an important element of Germanic history and sustainable traditional skills. The group visited a number of reconstructed traditional sites; a Longhouse at Authausen and a Grubenhaus at Schwemsal to gain an appreciation of other traditional craftsmanship.
The group also participated in a geophysical survey at Eilenburg Castle which focused on designated areas within the castle walls and aimed to establish if any archaeological features resided there and could be detected by a magnetometric survey. Historically, the castle presents a complex narrative, originally Slavic and succeeded by the Saxon-Anhalt during the 11th century. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the castle, the group visited its historical cellars and Eilenburg museum which presented the history of the town and castle in its wider context.
The programme ended with a festive event hosted by Dubener Heide Naturpark staff, which centered on a demonstration illustrating how tar was once produced. The day was a trans-national success and more than 100 inhabitants from the local community and 9 European participants from the UK, Slovakia, Cyprus and Iceland attended the event to learn about the art of traditional tar-making.
CHARLOTTE MARINOS