Two Weeks Full of Creativity – My MakerResidency in Chemnitz

I’ve taken a short break from blogging and mostly posted light updates on Instagram. That’s because I spent two intense and exciting weeks in Chemnitz, one of this year’s European Capitals of Culture, participating in the MakerResidency program organized by Makers United.

My original plan was “Vegan Sushi with AI,” weaving in local ingredients and stories. But through many spontaneous encounters, happenings, and extreme heat, the project naturally evolved into something different in a good way.

I was hosted by NETZ-Werk Neukirchen, a community kitchen located at the foot of the Ore Mountains near Chemnitz. There, I was joined by Maki, a tea specialist, and Aki, a ceramic artist — both from Tokyo Japan. Together we introduced aspects of Japanese food culture to the local community. Maki & Aki were well prepared and I learnt a lot from them. Especially I was fascinated by Yobitsugi, a form of kintsugi using fragments from different ceramics, and the spirit of nodate, the outdoor tea ceremony.

During the residency, we were interviewed by the German broadcaster mdr, and the article and podcast was published on the national tagesschau.de website:

https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/sachsen/mdr-chemnitz-kreatives-mitmach-festival-makers-united-startet-100.html

We also had the opportunity to join a one-day popup shop in a mall in central Chemnitz, hosted by NETZ-Werk Neukirchen. There we presented elements of Japanese food culture to the public. The local newspaper Freiepresse came for an interview, which was published both online and in print — a lovely souvenir to take home:

https://www.freiepresse.de/chemnitz/sushi-meets-erzgebirge-was-japanerinnen-in-einer-neukirchener-kueche-machen-artikel13856954

During the following School Days program, I ran sushi workshops for children — and I made over 100 rice balls (onigiri) with them in two days! I originally planned to roll sushi with them, but due to the unexpectedly large number of participants with varying ages and experience levels, I switched to making onigiri using Onigiri Maker I produce and plastic wrap for hygiene. The fillings were inspired by German bread spreads, creating a fun Japanese-German mix.

At the final weekend Makers United Fest, it was heartwarming to meet visitors who had come because they’d read the newspaper article. On the first day, I served vegan sushi, and on the second, onigiri. Maki also suggested hosting a casual nodate tea picnic. Through this, I experienced the essence of nodate — “gratitude for what you have, enjoying the environment you’re in.”

It was a creatively rich and inspiring stay, and I hope to carry the ideas and connections forward into future projects.

This summer, I’ll be at the Vegan Market in July, visiting the Neukirchen kitchen again in August, and then flying to the U.S. in September for a Slow Food event where I got scholorship to visit with my Shiso Syrup. I’m planning to take things slowly and enjoy it all while taking care of my body in the summer heat.

Have a nice week everyone!

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今回日本語の記事はnoteに書いてみました。よかったらnoteの記事をご覧ください！

ヨーロッパ文化都市ケムニッツでレジデンシープログラムに参加してきました