Notes from a volunteer diary - Mauro

I am writing to share my experience as a volunteer at Werkstattschule in Heidelberg. I have been here for several months now and it has been an incredible and enriching experience.

Situated on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg has been an important center of commerce and culture for centuries.

The city's strategic location made it a key player in the Middle Ages, and it played a role in many important events in European history. Today, Heidelberg is a thriving university town with a vibrant economy and a diverse population.It's home to Germany's oldest university and has a lively student population, which gives the city a youthful energy. The Altstadt (Old Town) is particularly beautiful, with narrow, cobblestone streets lined with shops, cafes, and restaurants. There are also many historic landmarks, such as Heidelberg Castle, the Philosophers' Walk, and the Old Bridge, which offer stunning views of the city and the Neckar River.

Heidelberg's economy is diverse, with industries ranging from technology to tourism. The city is home to many small and medium-sized businesses, as well as large multinational corporations. The university is also a major employer, attracting students and researchers from around the world.

In addition to its economy, Heidelberg is known for its culture and cuisine. The city is famous for its wine, and the surrounding region is home to many vineyards and wineries. Heidelberg also has a rich culinary tradition, with dishes like Saumagen (stuffed pork stomach), Spätzle (noodles), and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake).

Heidelberg is also known for its important role in philosophy, as it is home to the Heidelberg University, which has a long-standing tradition of philosophical inquiry. Many great philosophers have studied or taught at Heidelberg University, including Hannah Arendt, Ludwig Feuerbach, Karl Jaspers, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Donatella Dicesare. As a volunteer at Werkstattschule, I was fascinated by the city's rich philosophical heritage, and I often found myself exploring its many bookstores . It was truly inspiring to be in a city that had such a profound influence on the world of ideas.

Also a Important place for the German Romantic poet Friedrich Hölderlin, who lived and wrote in the city during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Hölderlin's time in Heidelberg was an especially productive period, during which he wrote some of his most famous poems. One of these is "Heidelberg," which celebrates the beauty of the city and the Neckar river. 

Here's the poem in its original German:

Lange lieb ich dich schon, möchte dich, mir zur Lust,

Mutter nennen und dir schenken ein kunstlos Lied,

Du, der Vaterlandsstädte

Ländlichschönste, so viel ich sah.

Wie der Vogel des Walds über die Gipfel fliegt,

Schwingt sich über den Strom, wo er vorbei dir glänzt,

Leicht und kräftig die Brücke,

Die von Wagen und Menschen tönt.

Wie von Göttern gesandt, fesselt‘ ein Zauber einst

Auf die Brücke mich an, da ich vorüber ging

Und herein in die Berge

Mir die reizende Ferne schien,

Und der Jüngling, der Strom, fort in die Ebne zog,

Traurigfroh, wie das Herz, wenn es, sich selbst zu schön,

Liebend unterzugehen,

In die Fluten der Zeit sich wirft.

Quellen hattest du ihm, hattest dem Flüchtigen

Kühle Schatten geschenkt, und die Gestade sahn

All’ ihm nach, und es bebte

Aus den Wellen ihr lieblich Bild.

Aber schwer in das Tal hing die gigantische,

Schicksalskundige Burg nieder bis auf den Grund,

Von den Wettern zerrissen;

Doch die ewige Sonne goß

Ihr verjüngendes Licht über das alternde

Riesenbild, und umher grünte lebendiger

Efeu; freundliche Wälder

Rauschten über die Burg herab.

Sträuche blühten herab, bis wo im heitern Tal,

An den Hügel gelehnt oder dem Ufer hold,

Deine fröhlichen Gassen

Unter duftenden Gärten ruhn.

Hölderlin's poem about Heidelberg is an example of Romantic poetry, which was a movement in literature that emphasized emotions, nature, and individualism. In this poem, Hölderlin expresses his love and admiration for the city of Heidelberg, using vivid imagery to describe its natural beauty and historical significance. He also reflects on his own personal experiences in the city and the memories it holds for him.

One funny fact about Heidelberg is that there's a statue of a monkey on the side of the Old Bridge. Legend has it that if you touch the monkey's fingers and make a wish, your wish will come true. This has led to a lot of people crowding around the statue, trying to get their turn to touch the monkey.

Another interesting fact is that Heidelberg Castle has a mysterious and spooky history. According to legend, the castle is haunted by the ghost of a man named Perkeo, who was the court jester in the 18th century. Perkeo was known for his love of wine, and legend has it that he drank himself to death. Some people claim to have seen his ghost wandering the castle grounds, still clutching a bottle of wine.

There's also a legend about a secret tunnel that runs beneath Heidelberg Castle, connecting it to the nearby town of Mannheim. The tunnel is said to have been built in the 16th century as a way for the Elector Palatine to escape from the castle in case of a siege. While there's no concrete evidence that the tunnel exists, many people believe that it's still there, waiting to be discovered.

Another legend says that in the woods near Werkstattschule there is a mysterious creature that can turn everything it touches into stone.  According to legend, the creature was created by a group of skilled craftsmen at Werkstattschule. They had been experimenting with different materials, including earth and clay, and had created a small statue as a result. One day, the statue came to life and began moving on its own, and soon after it disappeared into the woods.

Many years later, people started to notice strange sculptures appearing in the area surrounding Werkstattschule. The sculptures were incredibly lifelike, with every detail carefully crafted and perfectly rendered in stone , wood and some others materials. Some believed that the mysterious creature from the legend was responsible for these sculptures, and that it continued to create them in secret, deep in the woods.

Despite many attempts to find the creature, no one has ever been able to catch a glimpse of it. Some say that it only appears at night, when the moon is full and the stars are bright. Others believe that it only shows itself to those who have a pure heart and a deep appreciation for art and craftsmanship.

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or the paranormal, Heidelberg has something to offer. It's a fascinating city with a rich and varied past, and there are always new stories and legends to discover.

If you're considering volunteering abroad, you might want to check out Werkstattschule Heidelberg. This organization has been offering manual arts workshops to local schools for over 30 years, and they have a long and proud history of service and solidarity.

As a volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to work with concrete,stone, wood, paint, and woodcarving, teaching  young students in schools around Heidelberg, about different techniques and materials. One of the techniques that you'll get to explore is concrete modeling, which requires a lot of patience and attention to detail, but is incredibly rewarding when you see the end result. Working with concrete, wood, stone, paint, and woodcarving has been incredibly interesting. It has been so rewarding to see how much they enjoy learning and creating something with their own hands. I have also been impressed with how the students approach the tasks given to them with creativity and enthusiasm.

One of the best parts of my experience has been the chance to learn from the other volunteers and instructors. I have participated in various workshops and have gained a lot of knowledge and experience in different techniques and methods. I have also had the opportunity to learn about the administrative and pedagogical aspects of running an educational institution.

As a volunteer with the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), you'll also have the opportunity to attend two seminars during your service. These seminars are designed to provide volunteers with training and support, and they're incredibly valuable experiences. You'll learn a lot about intercultural communication, conflict resolution, and leadership, among other topics.

But volunteering at Werkstattschule  isn't just about what you'll learn and teach. It's also about being part of a community of volunteers who have come through this organization over the years visiting and living in a new social reality, in a new city where different experiences and cultures coexist.

If you're interested in volunteering with Werkstattschule Heidelberg, you should check out their website and see what opportunities are available. You'll need to be open-minded, flexible, and willing to learn and teach. But if you're up for the challenge, you'll have an unforgettable experience that will change your life in ways you never thought possible.

Finally, I want to emphasize the important role that ESC volunteers play in the history of Werkstattschule Heidelberg. Over the years, many volunteers have come through this organization, and they have made a significant impact on the community being part of a longtradition of service and solidarity.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my experience as a volunteer at Werkstattschule in Heidelberg. It has truly been a life-changing journey for me, and I will always cherish the memories and lessons learned during my time here.

El guayacán
de copa
ahusada
           vencido
de racimos de flores
amarillas
           qué llamarada

José Manuel Arango-

Poeta Colombiano