125 years of the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts: Celebration of tradition and responsibility!

125 years of the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts: Celebration of tradition and responsibility!

On Tuesday evening the time had finally come: the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts celebrated its 125th anniversary with a very special summer festival. Under the motto “Responsibility, Values, Future”, around 400 guests from craft organizations, politics, business and society came together to properly honor this anniversary. There was support from numerous prominent people present, including the Managing Director Dr. Gunnar Pohl, Vice President Thomas Bolbeth, President Uwe Lange as well as State Secretary Jochen Schulte and Interior Minister Christian Pegel from the SPD. Vice President Heiko Karmoll was also there.

President Uwe Lange took the opportunity to emphasize the responsibility that the chambers have assumed for training and further education since their founding in 1900. “The craft sector is not only an economic sector, but also a valuable community that is characterized by voluntary commitment,” explained Lange. There are currently around 7,300 companies registered with the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts, which employ around 40,000 people and 2,100 trainees. In economically challenging times, important investments in vocational schools and educational institutions are a central concern to ensure the quality of training.

Volunteering in crafts

A highlight of the celebration was the speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who emphasized the important role of the voluntary work of craftsmen for democracy and society. “The Chambers of Crafts make a significant contribution to the high quality of training in the craft sector,” says Steinmeier. He also recognized the craft industry as a symbol of Germany's strengths, especially with regard to the challenges of digitalization and climate neutrality.

In this context, ZDH President Jörg Dittrich appealed to politics and society to promote the model of self-government, which is so rooted in crafts, at the European level. The hands of craftsmen are not only there to work, but also to actively participate in shaping democracy and society. “We are managing to establish crafts as a place of lived responsibility, not just as a pure administrative unit,” emphasized Dittrich.

We look to the future with optimism

During the celebrations there were not only thematic discussions, but also artistic contributions that enriched the evening and showcased pride in one's own history. The Schwerin Chamber of Crafts, which has been committed to the interests of crafts for 125 years, continues to show its determination to actively shape the future. “We are not just part of the economy, we are the foundation of a strong community that takes responsibility,” summarized Dr. Pohl aptly summarizes.

In summary, it can be said that the anniversary event of the Schwerin Chamber of Crafts was not only a look back at a proud tradition, but also a motivating outlook towards a promising future. The evening conveyed the feeling that crafts continue to be highly valued and maintain their importance for society.