Pilgrimage and enjoyment: theme evening about new ways of eating

Pilgrimage and enjoyment: theme evening about new ways of eating

A special event is on the program in Prenzlau on Friday, January 23, 2026: the theme evening “Pilgrimage – Experiences & Taste Experiences”. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., interested parties are invited to seminar room 3 of the Uckerwelle to talk together about their pilgrimage experiences and discover new ways to eat healthy. The event is organized by Marleen Littmann and Ines Genetzky, who met through their shared sport at TSV 62 Prenzlau e.V. The aim of the evening is to create a space for encounters, especially for people who might not otherwise meet, as Nordkurier reports.

After a drastic experience in 2015, Ines Genetzky dealt intensively with the topic of pilgrimages. Together with her mother Sigrid, she embarked on the pilgrimage route on the Mecklenburg Lake District in 2018 and continued her pilgrimages on the Spanish Way of St. James in 2019, where she hiked over 350 kilometers with her uncle Andreas and his friend Jens. After her uncle's death, she continued her hike alone with Jens in 2021. These experiences have given her strength and joy of life and should now be brought to other people's attention at the theme evening.

Pilgrimage as a cultural experience

Pilgrimage is often associated with a religious background, but for many hikers it also offers a valuable cultural experience. It is considered one of the oldest forms of travel and is still of great importance, and not just for believers. During pilgrimage, many find the opportunity for personal discovery and encounter with their own spirituality. “Pilgrimage is about setting off and pausing,” describes an article on Eurohike. This makes it clear that both the experiences during the hike and the destination are important.

Cultural and spiritual aspects often go hand in hand. Popular pilgrimage routes stretch across the Alps to the well-known Way of St. James, which leads to Santiago de Compostela. Here pilgrims can discover numerous sights, including cathedrals and other holy sites that invite you to marvel and pause. This is also what attracts many pilgrims: the path is the entire process and offers space for encounters and exchange, regardless of whether one is motivated by deep faith or by pure enthusiasm for hiking.

The meaning of pilgrimage

Pilgrimage has changed over the centuries. In the Middle Ages it was often associated with the hope of forgiveness of sins. Today, many people use pilgrimage as an opportunity to break away from everyday life and reflect on their faith. It is less tied to fixed rules and leaves more room for individual interpretations and personal challenges. Many pilgrims report the opportunity to build social cohesion and understanding, as highlighted on SinnundSegen.

This evening promises an inspiring experience in which the focus is not only on exchanging pilgrimage experiences, but also on healthy nutrition in the context of endurance and regeneration. Snacks and drinks will be provided during the lecture so that participants can feel completely comfortable. Anyone interested is asked to register with Marleen Littmann by phone at 0151/20254451 or by email.