The “Wilde Küste” Logbook

We were stranded with our boat on an unknown and wild coast. Where did we end up? “Altenburger Land”… We were perplexed and had no idea what Altenburger Land was. 

Where were we? Who lived here?

We felt a little lost. 

After a short time of feeling disoriented, we decided to set off and explore this still mysterious corner of the world. We were determined to learn something about this wild coast. Our adventure led us through villages with lighthouses that were equipped with church bells. We crossed raging streams that once powered paper mills. Our encounters brought us together with young and old people who told us tales of community, of arriving and departing, and of interwoven waterways that in the end always lead to sea.

The smell of spring was everywhere. Chirping, warm air and sunshine. The colours of spring were spreading and as we went along, everything started to feel more pleasant and safe. 

Hear how on our journey along the wild coast of the Altenburger Land we collected wonders of all sizes, dreams of places and other curiosities.

We captured all of this in our audible logbook. You are welcome to listen, and find out about the stories and discoveries we captured:
 
In our first logbook entry you can meet Andreas who tells us about the lighthouses of the Altenburger Land and afterwards, we meet three children who join us for a walk over the dandelion dunes and they then show us the Selka Sea.

Our path led us to the calm little town of Schmölln. There we met Gina. A long time ago, she stranded herself, arriving from Bogota and decided to stay. Her passion was and is coffee. Coffee via the sea, straight to Schmölln. 

We hear how lovingly she describes her new home. What she has kept from her old home, and what she has in mind for the future: to connect Colombia and Schmölln. And the coffee was delicious!
 
We set out to meet Dorit. She is a local historian and knew a great deal about the past and present of the Altenburger Land. Again, we talked about the water, and how important even the smallest streams in the villages are. Even the smallest creek ultimately leads to the sea.

All water flows to the sea...

We continued along a small stream and discovered a mill. More precisely, a paper mill. There we learned a lot about paper and the role water plays in it. And we even received a useful gift…

Shortly afterwards, we were able to make the acquaintance of an imam. He told us about the need for mutual support and the joy that helping and supporting can bring. 

And we talked about rain and what a great celebration rain can stir.

Our way along the Pleiße brought us to the small village of Windischleuba and we met a local chronicler here too. Over an endless supply of delicious cake and coffee, we were able to listen to Mrs. Prechtel account of the past. What wishes for the future arise from the memory of the past? Even with a full belly, it became very philosophical. 

And the Altenburger Land, which was still very unknown and wild for us, felt more and more homely to us. We gained orientation and felt more secure on our journey, somehow also arrived. 
 
And then it got loud. It rattled madly and smelled of oil and petrol. What’s a “Hühnerschreck”, literally a “chicken spook”? The gentlemen we now met presented us with the funniest and oldest vehicles. Here, too, we could learn a lot about preserving traditions and making them visible.

Tired and worn out, we arrived in a small village called Kleinmecka. Of course, we were slightly puzzled by the name – small mekka? But our host Robert was able to tell us a great deal of things about this place, including what the name was all about. He also talked about his vision of his cultural farm. Once again, we were impressed. 

Last but not least, we met Ronny. We had to smile a little bit, when we saw this tiny little creek and Ronny told us it’s official name: “The Blue Flood”! Ronny talked about the nature and environment that surrounds us and how important even a small stream like the Blaue Flut is. It is surprising how fast the balance in nature gets out of hand and yet there is a lot we can do to live more mindfully and sustainably.

But that’s enough for now!

We’d seen, heard and learned so much, it had to be processed first. Nevertheless, we unanimously decided to stay a little longer. There was still so much to discover! And with the diversity, the warmth, and the many curiosities that we experienced in such a short time, it left us with a question: maybe we could also repair our boat here?  

To see how the story continues, check out Altenburg am Meer.

CREDITS

By the wild coast of the Altenburger Land - an audio play about local dreams in the Altenburger Land.

An audio play by and with:

Olav Amende
Simon Geuchen

Valentin Schmehl
Ivy Bieber
Marko Heinke
Constance Boehme

In conversation with:

Andreas and Elias Gießler
Gina, Isabella, Anna and Katharina Motta
Dorit Bieber
Frank Heinzig 
Shihab Alsardahi
Gabriele Prechtl 
Matthias Hillmer
Robert Herrmann 
Ronnie Lange
 
A project of Futura Integratives Zentrum Altenburg, the Other Music Academy Weimar and the Paul-Gustavus-Haus Altenburg.