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The tradition of toy art lives on!
The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and the toy village of Seiffen, the heart of the Erzgebirge wooden toy production, invite you to a unique event!
Participate, learn, play!
At the Toymaker Festival, you and your family can expect a colorful program all about wooden toys!
Music and cuisine? Of course there are a lot of them!
And all this in a unique setting!
The former water park is opening its doors for the first time since it closed many, many years ago!
Lost Place becomes Happy Place!
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open call
We are looking for toymakers from all over Europe to showcase their craftsmanship and engage in dialogue with other artisans and guests. Wooden toy makers whose works reflect the diversity and tradition of this special craft are especially welcome.
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What can you expect?
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a stage for your art:
showcase your products and skills to an international audience
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workshops & demonstrations:
provide insights into your work and inspire visitors
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exchange and networking:
connect with other toymakers, artists, and experts
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a colorful supporting program:
musical and cultural highlights for the whole family
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a unique location:
after many years, we are bringing the swimming pool back to life
Who can participate?
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Professional toymakers, craft businesses, and artisans
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Innovators combining traditional techniques with modern approaches
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Focus: Wooden toys and related crafts
We look forward to your creative ideas and your participation!
Selection criteria
A board of trustees made up of experienced toy makers and the Makers, Business & Arts program of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 will select the submissions. The selection is based on:
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European diversity
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Quality of the presentation idea / originality
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Balance of young and experienced toy makers and diversity
Conditions
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Selected toy makers will receive a fee of EUR 1,000 net.
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The fee includes all travel, insurance and transport costs.
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One overnight stay on site for up to seven days will be provided.
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Arrival is no later than August 27th, departure from September 1st.
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If you sell products on site, the fee will be reduced.
application
We look forward to your application
by March 16, 2025, at: denkstatt.erzgebirge@seiffen.de
Your application should include:
1. a brief introduction of yourself/your business
2. photos and short descriptions of your products
3. information on possible workshops or demonstrations you would like to offer
program
how to get to us
This year's toy maker festival will take place on the site of the former adventure pool and the Seiffen guest house.
Hauptstraße 156, 09548 Kurort Seiffen/Erzgeb.
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