Shining the Light on Old Wonders: Mill Day Highlights Traditional Crafts
Showcasing Age-Old Skills: Mill Day Highlights Traditional Workshops - Annual celebration of traditional craftsmanship: Mill Day highlights manufacturing processes
On Mill Day, held on Pentecost Monday, the spotlight falls on a traditional craft that once thrived across Germany: Mills, especially water and wind mills.
The 32nd German Mill Day, orchestrated by the German Society for Mill Studies and Mill Preservation, aims to bring focus on the cultural importance of mills, as announced by the Regional Association Rhineland (LVR) in Cologne. "Countless individuals still cherish the memory of a mill in their hometown," shared Julia König, who manages Mill Day at the LVR.
The action-packed day includes presentations, hikes, and bike tours in the region of the Regional Association Westphalia-Lippe, predominantly at the LWL Open-Air Museums in Hagen and Detmold. A huge crowd is anticipated at multiple locations in NRW as various mills open their doors to visitors.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, thousands of mills once played a vital role, processing grain, oil, bones, wood, paper, or rags. Even in the Rhineland mill region between Erft, Wupper, and Sieg, mills, hammer mills, and water power plants will welcome visitors. Depending on the wind conditions, the Grottenhertener windmill in Bedburg (Rhein-Erft district) might even be operational, grinding grain if the winds permit.
LVR announces Mill Day
- Mill Day
- Cultural Heritage Showcase
- Pentecost Monday
- Rhineland
- Spotlight
- Westphalia
- Cologne
This yearly event serves as a testament to Germany's rich milling heritage, offering a glimpse into the traditional craft, along with cultural and educational experiences.
Fun Fact:
- In the past, mills were crucial to everyday life, providing essential services such as grinding grain, sawing wood, and more[1][2]. Their historical importance makes Mill Day an exceptional event to celebrate cultural preservation and raise awareness about Germany's ancient practices and environmental impact.
On Mill Day, held on Pentecost Monday, the spotlight falls on a traditional craft that once thrived across Germany: Mills. In celebration of the region's cultural heritage, the event offers vocational training programs on outdoor-living and home-and-garden lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of maintaining these ancient practices while reducing the environmental impact.
