For the residents of the Marienstift, the Martin parade of the day care center on the Sonnen Hügel is an important date.
This is how the seniors themselves remember their childhood
Dorfen
– your little children are coming: Wrapped up in blankets, with candles in their hands, many seniors from the Marienstift listened to the girls and boys, who lined up in a large circle in front of the facility.
Of course, the children didn't sing a Christmas carol.
"St.
Martin, St. Martin,” they agreed.
And the older generation also joined in the traditional singing.
The lantern procession of the children's home on Sonnen Hügel stopped in front of the Dorfen old people's home on Tuesday: "This is very important for our residents, because they notice that we are still part of it," said Klara Hochmuth, social service manager in the facility.
Saint Martin of Tour (316/317-397 AD), who is said to have selflessly divided his cloak to save a beggar from freezing to death, fascinates young and old to this day.
A captivating story with great added value, especially for the seniors in Dorfen, who also took part in this campaign: “At the beginning of November, the Martinsfest is part of the annual cycle.
The cycle gives everyone who suffers from dementia security and structure – they are involved,” says Hochmuth.
Of the 73 residents of the home, more than 60 have the disease.
Some more pronounced, others less severe.
The custom from days gone by, which the seniors fondly remember, connects them with their childhood.
"A lot is brought out of the long-term memory, it touches you to the core," says Marion Prey, head of the Marienstift.
On the one hand, cross-generational actions create social integration.
"Young and old together, it's just good," is Hochmuth's experience.
On the other hand, the youngsters share their own friends with the older ones: "The children radiate a radiance and the residents notice that life goes on.
Children give the future and the residents the certainty that something young will follow.”
The children made their lanterns before the autumn holidays and have been looking forward to the lantern run ever since.
"The move is always the icing on the cake, the children can hardly wait until dusk," says Franziska Greimel, head of the children's home on Sonnenhügel.
The greatest fascination comes from the horse.
Because horse and rider led the procession: "Our party took place without corona restrictions," said the teacher happily.
There was also children's punch: "The parents were finally able to chat with each other again."
Of course, the legend of Saint Martin also contains a great deal of pedagogy.
“It is important that children learn to share from an early age.
And the story is simply a memorable template," says Greimel.
Practice early on: "You have to share the difficulty with each other, or the Martin geese that we baked together with the children."
But the children and their educators do not only think about the people in the home at St. Martin.
"In autumn we received a large basket full of flower bulbs from the VR bench and planted them in the garden of the Marienstift," says the director of the children's home.
"Young and old, they somehow belong together - and it's just fun to go there together again in spring at the latest and see which flowers will then bloom."