German rafting day in Magdeburg: Experience tradition and craft live!

German rafting day in Magdeburg: Experience tradition and craft live!

Magdeburg, Deutschland - The ancient craftsmanship of the rafting will be celebrated in Magdeburg until the beginning of next week. On the occasion of the German Flößerag, which takes place for the first time this year in Magdeburg, raftsmen from various regions meet in order to celebrate and exchange their traditions. "This is a wonderful occasion to revive the rafting again and to inspire people for this cultural heritage," says Frank Thiel, President of the International Association. This year the 700th anniversary of the first documentary mention of the rafting is celebrated on the Elbe. This invites you to experience the history of the rafting up close, and the venues on the water will be an attraction for many.

The German rafting day has brought raftsmen, interested parties and families together for over 30 years. At this festive meeting, 22 clubs on the Elbe are guests who present their knowledge and skills. The German rafting association, which represents the important Noah of the rafting in Germany, not only campaigns for the preservation of this art of craftsmanship, but also promotes research on its history and present. Conferences take place in changing places every year to keep the knowledge about the rafting alive and pass it on.

Construction of a traditionally large raft

A highlight of the rafting day is the construction of an impressive raft that will be admired on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. on the Ulbeufer at the night of night in Alt-Salbke. The raft becomes about 25 meters long and weighs 18 tons. Here, all interested parties can participate directly in the development of a typical raft and learn which artificial skills and traditional steps are necessary to build such a vehicle.

The subsequent raft trip across the Elbe begins on Friday at 10 a.m. and will take about three hours. The best places for observation offer the city bridges and the Elberadweg - an experience that families should not miss! On Saturday there will be a trade fair in the Guericke Center, in which the participants have the opportunity to get into conversation with the rapers and to learn more about craftsmanship and life on the water.

the rafting as an intangible cultural heritage

The rafting has a long tradition that goes back to the Middle Ages and has shaped a significant part of Europe's economic history for centuries. It promotes community and the exchange of knowledge among the rafts. Particularly noteworthy is the recognition of the rafting as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, which was provided in 2014. This step was also a prerequisite for inclusion in the worldwide list of UNESCO in 2022.

With the 2012 Wallenfels resolution, the concerns of the rafting were additionally strengthened. The voluntary commitment in the 27 raftsmen associations is highly valued by the German Rain-up Association, which is an important link between the traditional carriers and the public. Against this background, it is repeatedly emphasized how important it is to preserve traditional knowledge and pass it on to future generations.

A visit to the German Flöstersag in Magdeburg is therefore not only worthwhile for those interested in history, but also for the whole family. Because here it becomes alive how complex and fascinating the rafting has remained over the centuries.