We find in order to search.
(from datt blatt 2026)
Once a year we take the time, turn the village soil, open doors and windows, and hope for the different, the unknown. It leads us from the half to the whole. Even atheists hold on to the church tower with their gaze, because it has remained — also for those who left in order to return.
The anticipation begins while packing. Every millimetre between the present and that festive place is full of excitement and desire. Approaching something today can also mean moving forward, setting out — not a game of watchfulness, but finding in order to search.
We have created a ritual, a recurring event in our village. We slaughter fear, each in our own way, pin a shared goal to the horizon, and eagerly work towards this weekend.
To remain tangibly flexible, and for good reason, we are looking forward to our new sponsorship partnership with Wildling Shoes. Wildling is deliberately taking part of its performance marketing budget away from Meta and Google to support art and culture instead.
Cycling through a landscape stressed by the sun, at a time when few others do, is an event. Many paintings hang around here, if you have a moment for them: grain fields ready for harvest, yellow-green meadows, thirsty maize, framed by hedges, willows, oaks and lime trees casting shadows. A radiant blue sky reigns above it all: a summer like a white Christmas.
It all looks picturesque and tired, matching the village mood: holidays at last. Anticipation carried us past the last benches, chairs and bus stops, the last metres with alarm clocks and homework. Sitting here in the bar, I see many people heading to the lakes with swimming gear. Today their towels hide in bags; in our day they were rolled up and tucked onto bicycle racks. Beautiful memories hide in these images, a taste of the good life in the countryside, leisure. In 2001 we made a short film about this mood, with loaded hay carts and children splashing in the lake, accompanied by The Divine Comedy’s The Perfect Lovesong. Those children are judges and teachers now; the longing remains in the fields.
We look forward to seeing you. Everyone has a different reason, often a heartbreaking secret too. Apprehension gives way to hope. Imagination knows so many personally moving moments; that motivates us. Now we straighten ourselves up once more, bend the complicated into the possible, sign contracts, tell the hesitant how good it will be, and light a candle. Where we are is not the front. What moves us is people, friendships and a deep trust that things will continue, with our children, the weather and, soon again, reason. A bright, deep light, not a possession but trust: may I love, do I want to be? It will be our wonderful summer.
St. Reichmann
Haldern & Kaltern Pop
