Castle and Chateau University: Successful Connection of Czech and German Children at Cross-Border Heritage Sites:
On Wednesday, June 24th and Thursday, June 25th, 2026, a comprehensive two-day cross-border educational program titled „Castle and Chateau University“ took place. This innovative program was held under the patronage of the association SKALENSKO z.s. in cooperation with its German partner Oelsnitzer Kultur GmbH.
The project is co-financed by the European Union within the Small Projects Fund of the Interreg Czech Republic – Saxony 2021-2027 program, managed by Euroregion Egrensis.
The main goal of this intensive exchange program was to transform a classic tour of historical monuments into an active educational process through living history (living history). A total of 67 children from 3rd grades, accompanied by pedagogical supervision, formed one wonderful, mixed Czech-German team over both days. The entire program was translated by an interpreter to ensure one hundred percent understanding, smooth execution of all activities, and natural breaking down of language barriers.
First Day (Wednesday): Voigtsberg Chateau (Oelsnitz, Germany)
The first day of the program kicked off at the German Voigtsberg Chateau.
- Introductory Getting-to-Know-You Game: Immediately upon arrival, a group game awaited the children on stage, where they answered various questions (e.g., who has siblings) and naturally introduced themselves to their foreign friends.
- Independent Chateau Exploration: Children received special booklets and papers that served as maps. Accompanied by their groups, they then independently navigated and discovered the entire chateau using these maps. This program guided the children throughout the morning until lunch.
- Shared Lunch: For lunch, children were given sausages and a roll, and a delicious ice cream was the perfect sweet treat.
- Creative Workshop: The afternoon was dedicated to creativity, with children painting pre-made coats of arms, which they then took home as a memento of their first university day.
Second Day (Thursday): Vildštejn Castle (Skalná, Czech Republic)
On the second day, the program continued in the authentic setting of Vildštejn Castle in the Czech Republic, where a day full of games and shared fun awaited the children.
- Fun Icebreakers: The morning was dedicated to strengthening friendships. Children played the game Human Memory with cards, where they had to find their correct Czech or German partner, as well as the game Sorting.
- Flag Battle and Castle Building: The main part of the program was a grand flag game, for which the children divided into 4 mixed teams. Each team built its own castle and then bravely defended its team flags against opponents.
- Traditional Refreshments: For lunch, everyone roasted sausages over a campfire and refreshed themselves with an ice pop.
- Collective Canvas Painting: In the creative session, children painted a total of 4 large canvases – each class painted one canvas, which they then symbolically exchanged and kept as a memento.
- Closing Disco and Farewell: The entire program concluded with a free-form children’s disco and a friendly farewell.
Success and Meaning of the Entire Gathering
The project was a tremendous success and fulfilled its purpose perfectly. Czech and German children got along wonderfully, made friends, and proved that there are no boundaries to shared fun during both days. The meeting was also a great benefit for the teachers themselves, who exchanged contacts and addresses for further communication at the end and expressed a strong desire to stay in touch and cooperate in the future.
Basic Project Information:
- Organizer (Applicant): SKALENSKO z.s.
- Project Partner: Oelsnitzer Kultur GmbH
- Total Participants: 67 children + pedagogical supervision
Thank you to all the children for their wonderful energy, to the educators for their excellent cooperation, and to Euroregion Egrensis for supporting this exceptional project!
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