Creative works of art and inclusion: Rostock Advent market inspires!

Creative works of art and inclusion: Rostock Advent market inspires!

Last Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, the warehouse of the Rostock DRK workshops in Schmarl was transformed into a wonderful Christmas world. The 19th Advent market attracted numerous visitors and caused a lot of activity, even though the location is otherwise rather remote. Patrik Hennings, who was responsible for organizing the market, spoke of a year of hard work that has now paid off. He emphasized the enormous importance of presenting self-made works that are really worth seeing.

Visitors were able to discover a variety of loving works of art, including Advent arrangements, sewing, ceramics, wooden items and maritime souvenirs. These products are not only decorative individual pieces, but also the result of the hard work and creativity of almost 700 employees who work here, supported by 160 skilled workers. The workshops are an important part of the community and contribute to the inclusion of people with disabilities by offering them a place in the labor market.

A heart for inclusion

The head of the DRK workshops, Dirk Johannisson, emphasized that the facilities act as a bridge to the integration of people with disabilities. There are currently ten employees working in the Ikea branch in Rostock, where they assemble furniture and ensure order. A nice example of how the workshops fulfill their task of not only employing people, but also giving them a feeling of normality and community.

A central aspect of the work in the workshops is that they ensure high quality and adherence to deadlines in the services offered. The range extends from document destruction and landscape maintenance to carpentry and metal processing. This ensures that employees are not only challenged but also supported, which contributes to increasing their independence and personal development. This is how the DRK Rostock describes the necessity and justification of its offering in the regional economy, which is also reflected in the annual sales of several million euros.

Insights into the workshops

If you look at the general conditions, the technical equipment in the workshops is modern and flexible. Employees not only work under professional guidance, but also receive the necessary support to further develop their skills. Particularly when designing forms of employment, care is taken to ensure that everyone can participate in working life, regardless of the degree and severity of their disability. The entire team, consisting of specialists and the employees themselves, shows once again that inclusion is not an empty word, but is lived.

With every Advent market, the DRK workshops prove anew that creativity and a sense of community go hand in hand. If you look at the hustle and bustle on Saturday, you could almost say that there was a touch of Christmas in the air - and not just because of the wonderful smells of mulled wine and freshly baked pastries. If you don't have a gift yet, you shouldn't miss the next opportunity and support the local artisans - there's something coming!