DEUTSCHLAND | An Estonian view on the bridge project in Bröllin

We arrived here very late and we were really tired. Although we did not know what to expect, fortunately we did not have to be disappointed. It is extremely cool around here and we have lots of fun. People are very friendly, nice, cooperative, ready-for-action, and just chill. We, Estonians, have chosen design and dance and also percussion workshops, about which we can only say good things about. Also the workshop leaders are really good at what they teach us.

Our thoughts and first impressions

We think that the whole project is a brilliant opportunity for different kinds of young people from different countries to meet, to share there creativity and to express themselves in very different ways. We feel very lucky to be invited to such an event and are extremely thankful for the opportunity to participate. All the people we have met here are very, very friendly in their own personal way. The event itself is organized very well. There are lots and lots of different activities and everyone can choose whatever he or she feels close to his or her heart.

Logistics

Although the trip from Estonia was long and complex we arrived here at Bröllin very nicely. Very early at seven o’clock in the morning we took the bus from Tartu (our hometown) to Riga. About four hours later we were in Riga, found the airport and took our flight to Berlin.

This city was new to all of us and we had to move pretty quickly. Luckily we had a friend of a friend (an Estonian living in Berlin) to guide us through the long and complicated corridors of the Zoologischer Garten Railstation. Unfortunately we had no idea of the fact that it would have been a very good idea to purchase the rail tickets from the rail station – as it is much cheaper this way, as we all found out later in the evening...

The train had a very informative travel plan, so we had no problems finding the pace to our stop. There we found the person who was to take us to Bröllin, and we had a nice and cosy ride to the castle. So, as stated before, the complicated trip turned out nice. Concerning the next years we recommend, a person helping the newcomers through the beautiful city of Berlin would make the trip even more comfortable.

Living conditions

The castle and the countryside around it look spectacular. The birds are singing and the sun is shining (mostly). The food is excellent, we have been offered very different kinds of foods and the word „hungry“ never came to mind. Also the washing conditions are up to the standard. Because the sleeping conditions differ a bit from the norm, maybe a bit more information about the existing living conditions would be a good idea for the future participants.

Design workshop

The design workshop is a great experience. It’s a lot of fun to try out the new techniques of expressing yourself through the artistic way. The workshop leaders Anna and Martje are very friendly and helpful and they do an amazing job of encouraging people, who are maybe not so experienced in the artistic field of life, to try out new and exciting things for them.