Beach carpets: Western Pomerania's coastal tradition in the focus of the cultural heritage initiative!

Beach carpets: Western Pomerania's coastal tradition in the focus of the cultural heritage initiative!

A special tradition has been kept alive at the Greifswald Museum Harbor for six years. The “Hille Tieden” initiative has set itself the task of remembering the fisherman's carpets from Western Pomerania and preserving the handicraft techniques associated with them. Gertrud Fahr and Sebastian Schmidt, who founded the initiative, impressively demonstrate how cultural heritage can remain alive. As the [NDR](https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/vorpommern/greifswald-mit-strand carpeten-an-die-tradition-der-fischerruge-erinnern,mvregiogreifswald-658.html) reports, the “beach rugs” they produce are 190 cm x 90 cm towels made of high-quality organic cotton and are very popular.

Around 1,000 beach rugs leave the workshops every year, with the profits going to charitable projects, such as creative workshops and knotting courses. These courses are not only a way to keep the tradition alive, but also a chance for those interested to get hands-on.

A living story

The tradition of weaving fishing carpets has its origins in the 1920s, when fishermen in Western Pomerania became unemployed due to a fishing ban. They began making hand-knotted carpets from sheep's wool to support their livelihood. The first motifs come from Rudolf and Frieda Stundl, who taught this technique to fishermen. This [Nordkurier](https://www.nordkurier.de/regional/anklam/gehoren-fischer carpets-bald-zum-weltkulturerbe-1145822) documented that the carpets were designed in 1928 and have since reflected the regional natural landscapes and maritime themes. In the GDR the carpets were known as “Freester Fischer carpets”.

The Pomeranian fisherman's carpets, officially recognized in 2023, were even designated as intangible cultural heritage. This marks a significant success for the initiative and the close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the city's history and museums, to bring the tradition into the public light.

Current challenges and future plans

But despite these successes, knowledge about fishing carpet production is at risk. As information from the Traditional Textiles Working Group shows, there are only a few trained weavers left today and the technique is on the verge of extinction. Ulrike Sulk, Gisela Zeidler and Helga Grabow are the last of their kind. Their craftsmanship could soon be rare if more investment is not made in training the next generation.

The “Hille Tieden” initiative is already planning to promote the craft through workshops and school projects and is also looking for former weavers to document their stories and preserve the craft. The construction of a comprehensive application for recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is also in full swing, supported by a research team that includes experts from various institutions.

The efforts to preserve Pomeranian fisherman's carpets are not only important for the region. They are a reflection of cultural heritage and craft traditions and impressively show how historical awareness and practical artistry are interwoven.