A Year in Pictures: Hands, Hearts, Heritage, and Journeys

As 2025 draws to a close on this reflective 29th of December, we look back on a year filled with meaningful gatherings, creative explorations, and the joyful revival of rare crafts. At The ARCH, we have celebrated how traditional skills bring communities together—bridging generations, rural roots, and inspiring places not only across Germany but around the world. Our work in the Altmark serves as an exemplary model, showing how crafts can unite people in rural settings and beyond. Through our growing global network, we share experiences, learn from one another, and collaborate toward a shared vision: communities everywhere appreciating crafts for the heritage they preserve, the skills they transmit, and—most importantly—the deep human bonds they create. Your participation, volunteering, and enthusiasm have been the heart of it all. Thank you for weaving these moments with us. Here's our year in stories and images.

Author

The ARCH
December 29, 2025

Image credits: All Images The ARCH gUG

Table of Contents

Image credits: All Images The ARCH gUG

A Letter from Kerstin Rice, Managing Director

Dear Friends and Supporters,

It has been an immense honour to be invited by the Landesheimatbund Sachsen-Anhalt to contribute to their latest publication, the Sachsen-Anhalt-Journal: Heimat bewegt (3-4/2025). In the article "Seltenen Handwerken auf der Spur," we shared the unique paths—or Wege—that The ARCH is forging in civic engagement through crafts. From hands-on workshops to intergenerational projects, our work demonstrates how rare traditions can inspire active community participation, strengthen regional identity, and build lasting bonds. This recognition highlights the growing impact of our efforts to preserve and revitalise intangible cultural heritage in the Altmark and beyond. I hope you will enjoy and take inspiration from our recap of 2025 as we look at widening the impact in 2026. Read on to find out more.

With gratitude for your continued support,
Kerstin Rice
Managing Director, The ARCH

Spring Awakening: Community and Craft at Rittergut Schönberg

The year began vibrantly in April with the Neighbourhood, Children’s, and Craft Festival at Rittergut Schönberg, where over 50 participants immersed in hands-on weaving, sculpting, and collaborative making. This event beautifully demonstrated how crafts foster community bonds and set the inspiring direction for our work throughout the remainder of the year.

Summer Explorations: Berlin Inspirations and grassroots crafting

Summer highlighted worldwide partnerships in craft preservation and the rising energy of community initiatives.

We journeyed to Die Möwe in Berlin—the former iconic East Berlin artists' meeting place, once frequented by creatives like Bertolt Brecht, now the Landesvertretung Sachsen-Anhalt. This visit enriched our perspective on how historic spaces preserve creative spirit while evolving.

A sunny September ZukunftsHandwerker event brought children and families together outdoors for joyful, hands-on learning in rural traditions.

Autumn Highlights: Celebrating Intangible Cultural Heritage

October's Workshop of Living Traditions at Rittergut Schönberg was a sensory celebration for the International Day of Intangible Cultural Heritage—one of the few dedicated events in Germany. In partnership with Landesheimatbund Sachsen-Anhalt and featuring contributions from Kreismuseum Osterburg's Director Florian Fischer, participants enjoyed rope making, embroidery, printmaking, local foods like potato pancakes, stories in Altmark Platt, and traditional games. Featured on the UNESCO ICH website and covered in multiple local newspapers, it reinforced The ARCH's role in safeguarding living heritage.

November's Handwerk verbindet event continued the theme of connection through crafting, undeterred by the weather.

Winter Warmth: Markets and Gratitude

A truly unique highlight was our pop-up at the Biedermeier Christmarkt in Werben, created by an enthusiastic group of volunteers on invitation of the Kulturverein Werben. This charming event brought the community together to celebrate local heritage, with handmade decorations now sparkling in the stunning St. Johanniskirche.

At the Schönberg Christmas Market, families crafted yarn-wrapped stars and tassels, embodying ZukunftsHandwerker's patient joy.

The year closed warmly with the ZukunftsHandwerker thank-you gathering on the 27th of December at the old forge in Schönberg. Volunteers, donors, partners, and families shared hot apple juice, bread on sticks, and reflections around the fire pit. Funded by LAGFA Sachsen-Anhalt Engagement Fund, we gifted organic T-shirts bearing real handprints as symbols of shared commitment.

Deepest Gratitude

Our deepest gratitude goes to our community volunteers for their countless hours of dedication; to The ARCH leadership team for their unwavering support and guidance through rocky waters; and to our funders LAGFA and Zukunftswege Ost, whose generosity made so much possible. Heartfelt thanks also to our partners—including Landesheimatbund Sachsen-Anhalt, Kreismuseum Osterburg, and Kulturverein Werben—our artisans, youth activists, families, and supporters.

Into 2026: Continuing the Journey

Thanks to the successful funding call "Miteinander für ein lebenswertes Quartier 2026" by Gesellschaft für Prävention im Alter (PiA) e.V., The ARCH will continue local Altmark community building through "Generationen Hand in Hand"—creating close-knit bonds by bringing children and senior citizens together through crafting.

We are eager for more community events, youth empowerment, cross-cultural inspirations, and heritage projects ahead—including our virtual roundtable on the 15th of January to share best practices in rural community building through heritage. Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/best-practices-in-rural-community-building-through-heritage-tickets-1977383648723

Join us:

  • Stay connected for updates

  • Donate to support our initiatives

  • Volunteer or share your experiences

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Wishing you a 2026 abundant in connection, creativity, and heritage.

Warmly,
Kerstin Rice & The ARCH Team

P.S. We'd love to hear your favourite 2025 moment—reply and share!
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