It was carnival time again. On Tuesday, 4 March 2025, our busy senior citizens organized and lovingly prepared a colourful carnival for the second time. The senior citizens from Cotta and the surrounding area were invited via many channels. There were also numerous approvals for coming. Unfortunately, only eight carnival enthusiasts turned up. There were more last year - what a shame. The carnival march got things off to a good start. Songs, cabaret interludes and games were played in the style of the event.Of course, fresh pancakes and delicious eggnog were also provided. The highlight was a round of bingo. There were also winners, who were delighted with the foolish prizes.Our wish for the coming year - to expand the fan community. The whole thing is much more fun with even more happy people.

We say goodbye! With a heavy heart, Anja has decided to leave the Neue Volkshaus Cotta at the end of October in order to devote herself more fully to another matter close to her heart. She was actively involved in "waking this special house from its slumber". She supported the #VHC with her public relations work and curated a varied socio-cultural program to make the house better known as a place for events, neighborhood and creativity.Anja:"I wish you continued success in the future, cool ideas and exciting events, lots of fun at the regular events and happy togetherness!"Philip joined us in October and will be working together with Jana in the Volkshaus. We are very happy about the new addition and are looking forward to our time together!Many thanks Anja and welcome Philip!

All possible registrations for kids aged 8 to 14 were fully booked. On Sunday at 2 p.m., Rainer welcomed the audience as the course instructor. Two participants even came from Senftenberg. Everyone was excited to see what was being assembled. The first question I asked was who plays a musical instrument. There was the oculele, trumpet, guitar, piano and drums. These were good starting points for the workshop. After introducing myself and the helpers, I demonstrated on the finished instrument what everyone should achieve at the end. 4 hours were planned for this. Now it started. The kids built their mini organs step by step using projector images. As Frank and Rainer had prepared the circuit boards with plug-in strips, they simply had to plug in the relatively large number of components. Finally, they soldered but only 2 wires to the loudspeaker. This saved a lot of time and not everyone has ever held a soldering iron in their hands. They then had a lot of fun assembling the loudspeaker housing. After 2 hours the first tones were heard and after a good 3 hours everyone was finished. It was a successful event and I think there will be something to tinker with again next year. Many thanks also to the helpers Lilly, Monika, Daniel and Frank.

To strengthen our small team in the cultural and neighborhood center Neues Volkshaus Cotta, the Conglomerate is looking for a socio-cultural program curator and community manager in relation to the neighborhood program ideas (incl. public relations) [12/week] as of 01.11.2024The position is initially limited until February 2025 and is linked to funding. However, we are very keen to continue and further develop this position. The location is Dresden Cotta.Click here for the full job advertisement.The job advertisement has ended early. We are happy about our new team member!

A text by Lilly Barthel:It's probably the same for other people as it is for me: a much-loved electrical appliance is no longer available.In my case, it's two older but wonderful sewing machines that I want to use for my sewing meeting here in the Neues Volkshaus Cotta. I bought one machine, a handy Veritas (model 2032) from the GDR era, for a moderate price on eBay classifieds. During intensive test sewing at home, the pedal developed a life of its own after about 30 minutes - the sewing machine continued sewing all by itself. There was a clicking sound in the pedal and a slightly strange smell - so I decided to stop sewing and register for a Thursday evening repair café. This scheduling is particularly useful to reduce waiting times for visitors.I am pleasantly surprised within the first few minutes: I am asked by volunteer Marion to fill in a form in which I sign that the Repair Café accepts no liability for the continued functionality of the appliance. I also have the choice of whether I want to agree to a photo permission. My repair case is registered with a case number in the top corner of the form. The volunteers keep track of every repair carried out digitally on a laptop and in analog folders.Now it's time to get down to business: Rainer takes care of the Veritas and me with just as much friendliness, relaxation and at eye level. Under his guidance, I remove the hinge pins from the sewing machine pedal myself. We open it carefully so that none of the metal springs jump off. We gradually remove all the components and place them in a magnetic metal tray. Now we can look at the electrical mechanism inside the pedal. Rainer explains to me how these components work together. In response to my questions and curiosity, I learn more about Rainer's professional expertise, which he acquired during his career and still enjoys repairing things today as a pensioner. And he helps people from the neighborhood.After a few minutes, the problem is found. A small capacitor is bulging outwards; it has leaked internally. It caused the malfunction.The friends from the Repair Café recently purchased electrical components from the Lebenshilfe workshop. Reaching into a small plastic bag, the expert conjures up a used but very well-preserved capacitor with the same electrical requirements. The next step is soldering. Rainer considers the other components to be in working order.I think several times in between: "Thank goodness more people are thinking of repurposing things in good condition these days."After we have closed the pedal again, it's my turn to check the "roadworthiness" of the sewing machine on site. I take another half hour at another table and enjoy how slowly I can control the machine. A persistent, steady "purr" sounds from the Veritas. A success!Finally, Rainer asks me to fill in an anonymous feedback form. The Repair Café donation box is on the table. "Give as much as it's worth to you," Rainer tells me. As I also run my sewing club here in the Neues Volkshaus Cotta on a voluntary basis, I know that at least the rent has to be "earned".Just one week later, I once again call on the expert services of my colleagues. A second older sewing machine is also successfully repaired. This time, Rainer and Rüdiger supported me as a team of two. Electrical and mechanical expertise come together here; two people who work hand in hand as friends.I also benefit from another service: Ines makes coffee and gives me cocoa cookies.During the repair work, I always have free time to take a curious look at the other repair tables. There, Falk is taking a close look at a milk frother with a father and his 3-year-old son. In a corner by the window, Daniel is back at the 3D printer. He gives his own course here on Tuesdays from 5:15 pm. On Thursdays, he supports the repair team by printing spare parts for broken machines. For example, toaster levers and end caps for table and chair legs have already been redesigned and printed.Thank you very much for your help and two very exciting evenings!

Long prepared - on April 27/28 the time had come. On the tables covered with white tablecloths, interested visitors found 5 "old-timers" of computer technology ready to play. Another 5 places simulated the "old-timers" on modern computer technology - everything was hands-on and hands-on. The children particularly enjoyed the pixelated games. These were still played using cassettes or floppy disks. It was also possible to show how, if you are interested, you can still get back to the originals of that time on modern devices.All in all - a success, even if the number of visitors did not meet our expectations.

On Saturday, April 13, 2024, the residents of Cotta moved to the meadow between the Hebbelstraße playground and the Neues Volkshaus Cotta to have a good time. 30 stalls were set up with all kinds of children's things, toys, books, technology and much more. The children and adults also enjoyed 3D printing. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere in the beautiful sunshine. Coffee and cake were provided in abundance.Thank you to everyone involved!We look forward to seeing you at the next flea market. This is expected to take place on September 14, 2024.