Rediscovering old crafts

The wooden barrels produced by the Messerschmidt cooperage in Neu-Zittau near Berlin are in high demand. Whether wine or whisky barrels, custom-made planters or sauna plunge pools, outdoor bathtubs or medieval beer mugs, Denis Mertens receives a wide variety of orders. And that's exactly what keeps the master cooper going. After all, his craft is now practised by only a few people. Requests sometimes come from Hollywood when it comes to furnishing a film like Tarantino's ‘Inglourious Basterds’. Custom-made products from Neu-Zittau can also be seen in the film adaptations of “Krabat” and ‘The Three Musketeers’.

‘The staves, i.e. the longitudinal pieces of wood in the barrel, have to be precisely crafted,’ says Denis Mertens at his stand in Hall 26a. Precision is therefore an important prerequisite for his profession, as is knowledge of the different types of wood that influence the colour and taste of the wines and spirits stored in them. Despite its versatility, the cooper's craft is struggling to attract young talent. Whether Denis Mertens will find a successor to whom he can hand over his business remains to be seen.

Natural weaving

Heiko Käding has a similar story. He is a basket maker from Boldekow in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and is demonstrating his skills in the hall of this year's Grüne Woche partner. His father, grandfather and great-grandfather were also basket makers and left him their own willow plantation. This is where he sources some of his materials.

The man with the grey beard works for about two and a half hours on a wicker basket, a purely natural product that is sustainable, recyclable and repairable. Almost all waste is recycled. However, many orders are also repairs, for example of Worpswede chairs, which are characterised by their rush weaving.

Heiko Käding passes on his knowledge in adult education courses. But hardly anyone wants to become a basket maker as a profession anymore. No wonder, because what looks so easy in his hands is actually hard work that quickly leads to tendonitis. And Heiko Kädig also has his principles: he would never weave a beach chair, which many associate with his home state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. After all, it is made of plastic.

Those who would like to try their hand at crafts at the Grüne Woche will find opportunities to do so in the hands-on activities on offer. On 23 and 24 January 2026, Rhineland-Palatinate will be offering a creative cork workshop in Hall 6.2. Ceramic painting on used tableware will take place at the Zero Theme Island in Hall 27 on Saturday, 24 January 2026, at 12 noon. Also in Hall 27, Sarah Gohm and her team from the Bottleneck Project will be holding a workshop entitled ‘Aus Altglas wird Lieblingsding’ (Turning old glass into your favourite thing) on Sunday, 25 January 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. . Participants will use old glass bottles to create drinking glasses, vases or lamps. Contribution towards costs: £5.

A comprehensive overview of all hands-on activities can be found in the programme overview under the category ‘Workshop’.