GERMANY: VILLAGE THAT PRODUCES HAND CARVED WOODEN TOYS

(21 Dec 1998) German/Nat
With the advent of computers and games consoles, the modern-day Christmas sees few old fashioned toys for children.
But a small village in east Germany has stuck to a tradition dating back hundreds of years - producing hand carved wooden figures and toys.
Seiffen's wares act as a magnet to visitors from all over Europe and even America, particularly during the festive season.
APTN went to soak up the fairy-tale atmosphere at this Aladdin's Cave of tradition.
With Christmas just days away, the Santa Clauses are out in force in Seiffen - and so are the tourists.
The village remains true to a tradition that goes back nearly 400 years.
That custom is handcraft, and is well known throughout Europe and America.
All manner of pieces are manufactured by family workshops, such as smoking men and little angels.
These pieces of "folkart" represent the former life of Seiffen's people.
A good example of this is the nutcrackers.
They are the symbol of the ruling class - the kings, police and guards.
The history of Seiffen began when miners created the district nearly 700 years ago.
At first it was just a mining town, but the toy and folkart manufacturing industry developed as the need for mining disappeared.
Today several family workshops here open their doors to the public.
The entire manufacturing process can be followed by visitors, step by step.
Those involved in the craft say it's a highly individual art.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Since almost 40 years ago we show how to manufacture this beautiful handcraft. Our figures are different from others in terms of the way they look. Each craftsman in the village is recognised by his typical style."
SUPER CAPTION: Wolfgang Braun, manager of the workshop
Wooden trees feature quite prominently in the works, particularly those depicting a "Kurrende", or choir of children.
A small tree can be hand-produced in only two minutes.
Another speciality of Seiffen are the miniature toys, which have been produced since 1803.
They are carved out of a specially prepared wooden ring.
The ring turns on a lathe and the worker carves grooves on the outside of it.
After about five minutes the ring is ready and cut into slices, like bread.
Around 60 animals or other figures can be cut out of one ring.
Later the pieces will be painted and carved before children play with and enjoy them.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"We believe that the rings were created by chance during the production process in a glass manufacture. Today the lathe operator produces various animals and figures out of spruce wood in two steps."
SUPER CAPTION: Wolfgang Braun, manager of the workshop
Christmas is a busy time for workshops here, as production rises to meet the increased demand for figures.
This is especially true of nutcrackers and smoking miniatures, among the oldest and most purchased folkart figures of Seiffen.
In contrast to these stately figures, symbols of the more simple aspects of past life are also portrayed, such as miners, chimney-sweeps and bakers.
One-hundred-and-20 (120) families and five factories in Seiffen are producing and selling folkart and toys.
Christmas is the climax of the season, and the entire village is illuminated.
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