Routes, culture, and village life – lessons and insights from Germany
Internationalization is an essential part of the objectives of the Matkaillen Kerkonkoskelle (Traveling to Kerkonkoski) project, which will be implemented in 2024–2025. Ideas were needed, especially for developing the route network, and there was a desire to create networks outside Finland's borders. Partnerships were sought through the EU's Leader network by contacting several different countries by email. Germany was the only country where project worker Johanna's message was successful, and we were able to choose a destination from among about 10 interested parties.
The area selected was Westliches Weserbergland, about an hour from Hanover and a couple of hours from Hamburg. In hindsight, this was an excellent choice, as our partner was the Leader operator in the area and we were able to see several different Leader-funded projects during our trip.
Our travel group consisted of ten project group members, both old and new. The group members are villagers or people who work in the area. Kirsi Manninen, Executive Director of the funding organization Kehittämisyhdistys Mansikka ry, also joined us on the trip.
Leader projects, nature experiences, and the story of Pillipiipari – an unforgettable start to your journey
On our first day of travel, we had a full schedule from morning to evening. We visited Hessisch Oldendorf and the Leader projects located there. We saw various sites, from a skate park for young people to an outdoor gym and a community center. We also received a warm welcome from Mayor Tarik Oenelc. Right from the start, there was plenty of laughter and the atmosphere was relaxed.
After the city tour, we headed up into the mountains to the Weserbergland Nature Park and Schillat Höhlen cave. We put on our helmets and took the elevator underground to explore the cave system with a guide. After the cave tour, route manager Hans-Georg Sievers gave us some basic information and statistics about German hikers. The largest group of hikers seems to be women of retirement age. Under Mr. Sievers' guidance, we set off on a brisk 5 km hike, paying particular attention to the signage. The trail descended through a beautiful beech forest to a valley where there was a small restaurant. We heard that the place is popular in the summer and on weekends, as it is easily accessible and quite close to the parking area. Along the route, we could smell wild garlic in places, which we tasted together.
In the evening, we went on an interesting tourist tour of Hamelin led by the Pied Piper himself, and heard the story of the Pied Piper in the form of a tour of the city. At times, the flute played as we went along, and it was great fun.
After touring Hamelin, we drove along a few small bends to a beautiful restaurant at the top of a mountain, which offered magnificent views of the city of Hamelin. The fatigue began to show on the faces of the tour participants. It had been a long but very rewarding day. We slept well that night.
Through villages on electric bikes
On Friday, we hopped on our electric bikes and rode through several small villages for a total distance of 22 km. To the CIyty of Rintel. The bike ride was eye-opening because of the route we took. We discussed aloud how this type of comfortable bike, which is suitable for everyone, would also be good for the sandy roads of Kerkonkoski! On the way, we were impressed by the many rest areas that had been renovated with Leader funding. We were also particularly impressed by a small self-service kiosk in front of a farmhouse, where we could buy coffee and honey, among other things.
Once we arrived in Rinteln, we had lunch in the former town hall, built in the 16th century, where Mayor Andrea Lange gave us a warm welcome with a short speech and gifts. We were all very impressed by the hospitality we experienced during our trip.
After lunch, we went on a guided tour to learn about the history of the town of Rinteln. This time, the tour was more traditional than the previous day's, but it was good to see both. In front of the museum, there was an interesting information box that, when turned, began to tell the history of the town. This was also implemented with the support of Leader.
Westliches Weserberglandin turistitoimisto is located in Rinteln. Matthias Gräbner, CEO of Tourism Services, told us about the organization's activities, and we took a look at the brochures. Extensive mapping work has been carried out in the area, compiling guesthouses, activities, and other services into a catalog of easily purchasable packages.
There are approximately 500 km of cycling routes in the area, and half a million cyclists visit each year. Only about 5% of tourists are from abroad, and marketing is therefore strongly targeted at domestic tourists. All signs and brochures are in German, which has been a conscious choice.
Horse-drawn carts and village life – the hospitality of Exten and Rolfshagen was enchanting
Saturday's program included visits to the villages of Exten and Rolfshagen. A large group of villagers awaited us in Exten. Together with them, we also visited the Leader-funded local history museum. To our surprise, a magnificent horse-drawn carriage was waiting for us outside, and our entire group was invited to climb aboard. A local farmer came with his horse to take us on a tour of the nearby villages. Along the way, we saw the Uchtdorf mill, built in 1710, which has since been renovated and is now running again. A short distance away, we stopped at an old shovel factory, where we got to see an impressive iron forging demonstration. A local man had learned traditional iron forging and is now trying to pass on his knowledge to younger generations. It was a sunny day, and the villagers had organized a wonderful cocktail lunch for us to enjoy outdoors.
After completing the tour, we headed to Rolshagen, a village with a population of 1,700, which is one of the smallest villages in the area. In this village, the local branch of the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) had built a hobby building with Leader support, which also has space for equipment. The building is used for water rescue and first aid training and as a meeting place for active members.
As there are few swimming spots in the area, outdoor swimming pools are important recreational areas for residents. The outdoor swimming pool next to the multi-purpose facility has been renovated by the association with the help of rural funding. The pool enables water rescue and swimming training.
It was a pleasure to meet the residents of these villages, exchange ideas and experiences about village development work, and talk about life in rural areas in general.
The last day: silence, honey, and farewells
We took it easy on the last day of our trip. We went for a walk on our own in the village of Fischbeck. We noticed that everything here is indeed closed on Sundays. The village was wonderfully peaceful. Our travel group was particularly interested in the various vending machines we found in the village. In front of the butcher's shop, there was a meat vending machine with cuts of meat and sausages, and in front of one of the houses, there was a handicraft stand. The ice cream vending machine with its artisanal ice cream perhaps aroused the most admiration. Now that the village shop is closing, the opportunities offered by vending machines have sparked a lot of discussion.
The town of Hamelin was also noticeably quieter when we stopped for lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the Weser River. Upon our return, we were welcomed by the abbot of Fischbeck Abbey, and we were able to visit the abbey, founded in 955, next to our accommodation. The abbey was founded by a noblewoman of the Helmburg family, and for a long time only women of noble birth were allowed to serve there. The monastery and its church, with its gardens, were truly impressive. We received a large jar of the monastery's very light spring honey as a souvenir of our visit, and at the end, the abbess said a beautiful prayer for our journey home.
All in all, the trip was very rewarding in terms of village and route development. We gained valuable insights for our own development work and were able to establish networks with our German counterparts. According to current information, we will receive a return visit from the Germans in the fall of 2025. We already have several ideas for places to visit and activities to do!
In Germany, there was a group working on the Matkaillen Kerkonkoskelle (Traveling to Kerkonkoski) project, consisting of villagers from Kerkonkoski and the Kiesimä area. The project receives Leader support. About the Mansikka Development Association.
