Bid Farewell to the Daily Routine in Neuwied
Life-Sized Figures Delight Visitors in Neuwied
Neuwied, a city in Germany, recently played host to a unique cultural attraction - life-sized figures from the filigree wooden carving tradition of the Ore Mountains. The figures, which include traditional characters like miners, angels, nutcrackers, and smokers, have historical significance and symbolize a cultural link between the Ore Mountains and Neuwied.
The exhibition of these life-sized figures, numbering 45, was a resounding success for the Neuwied City Marketing department. Visitors flocked to the city from various parts of the country, including Bonn, Essen, and Hamburg, to catch a glimpse of these intricate wooden sculptures. The figures were brought to the city center from Lechnerhof studio in Witten and could be seen exploring Deichuferpromenade, populating the market square, and strolling through the pedestrian zone.
The figures served not only as an artistic heritage but also as navigational markers towards significant local sites such as the Maria Himmelfahrt parish church, which houses the world’s largest natural nativity scene recognized by the Guinness Book of Records since 1998. These cultural landmarks attracted tourists, especially during festive seasons, contributing to the city's marketing strategy.
A photography competition was organized, requiring participants to submit the most beautiful and creative pictures of the figures. A photo rally was also conducted, where participants had to match seven detail shots of different figures. Special tours of the life-sized figures were offered by the Neuwied Tourist Information and were very popular.
Nathalie Schneider, deputy head of Neuwied City Marketing, expressed her satisfaction with the response. She noted that the figures played an important role in marketing the city by leveraging this unique tradition to enhance cultural tourism and community identity. The funding for the life-sized figures' visit to Neuwied came from the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Building's "Future-proof Cities and Centers" program.
However, the evaluation of the contest entries has been delayed due to the current preparations for the Deichstadt festival. The figures have now moved on from Neuwied after a three-month stay, but two "Duscher" figures will remain permanently in Neuwied and can still be found on the Deichuferpromenade.
References: [1] Neuwied Tourist Information. (n.d.). Maria Himmelfahrt Church. Retrieved from https://www.neuwied-tourist.de/en/sites/maria-himmelfahrt-church/
- The life-sized fashion-and-beauty-themed figures, such as miniature smokers and angels, have added a unique element to Neuwied's lifestyle, contributing to its overall appeal for cultural tourism.
- As the Deichuferpromenade in Neuwied transforms into a bustling scene of food-and-drink stalls during festivals, the life-sized miners and other figures provide an interesting fusion of the traditional and modern, attracting both locals and travelers.
- With the success of life-sized figures exhibit, home-and-garden enthusiasts might look forward to similar events in the future, where they can immerse themselves in a captivating fusion of art, history, and local charm.
