Clay, fire and bread: the youngest people from Wangelin build an oven together!

Clay, fire and bread: the youngest people from Wangelin build an oven together!

A very special project is currently being realized at the European Training Center for Earth Building in Wangelin, which challenges both the creativity and the technical skills of the participants. Within five days, children and young people from different social and cultural backgrounds build a clay oven. The project is entitled “Earth, Fire & Bread – we are building a clay oven” and is funded by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

The participants come from the surrounding area, but also from cities such as Hamburg and Berlin. Some of them have roots in countries like Syria and Georgia, which increases the diversity of the group. With a smiling face and a love of craftsmanship, experienced stove builder Paul Müller from Bavaria ensures that everyone involved not only has fun, but also learns a lot. Müller has been working in Wangelin for almost ten years and contributes his valuable know-how.

Clay and community

The seminar aims to teach people about the building material clay and at the same time promote community experiences. The participants are in close contact with each other and work together to decide which oven should be built. At the beginning, various models are created, with the young people being actively involved in the process. The construction work itself is scheduled to last three days, with Müller guiding and supporting the group.

A central element of the project is a pear-shaped pile of sand that serves as a negative form for the combustion chamber. On the last day, relaxation becomes apparent when the sand is taken out - without any worries about the oven collapsing. Holger Miska, responsible for public relations, describes the special mood among the participants, who are looking forward to the joint work.

A place for learning and meeting

The European Training Center for Earth Building in Wangelin is not just a place where earth building is learned. A network with European partners is being established here and various educational formats in the field of ecological building are being developed. This is receiving attention because the facility offers a varied range of offerings aimed at adults, children, young people and families. The focus is on individual approaches to the learning content and experimental learning.

In Wangelin, a small village with around 80 inhabitants, there are also options for accommodation during the courses. The nearest shops, ATMs and a restaurant are in the nearby towns of Plau am See, Meyenburg and Lübz. The Wangeliner Garden café is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers course participants an ideal place to relax and refresh themselves.

If you travel by public transport, you can use the train stations in Plau am See, Meyenburg or Parchim. The 802 on-call bus is particularly practical and must be booked in advance to make your journey easier. A combination of train and bus or bike is recommended to explore the impressive surroundings.

Overall, the work camp, which promotes both practical knowledge and interpersonal connection, promises to be a complete success. Not only is an oven built here, but the communal spirit can also be experienced - a real example of sustainability and teamwork. For those interested, it is worth visiting Wangelin, where educational experiences and warm togetherness await you.