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Information board 24

The Altländer Community Hall (Festhalle). Photograph taken in 1960

This building was erected in 1938/39 as an indoor riding centre. It has a special history. An equestrian association was founded (for riders and coach-drivers) as early as 1905. The highlight was in May every year, when outdoor gymkhanas were held, and hundreds of visitors arrived from near and far to take part or spectate. Once the riding centre had been built, however, club activities could still take place indoors during the winter months. 

There was a break in these activities during the Second World War, but after the War there was a revival of riding as a sport. However, due to motorisation in agriculture, the sport became less and less popular, until it finally came to a standstill. The rebuilding of the indoor riding centre in 1964/65 to a community hall signified the end of riding as a sport in Jork. 

The Festhalle has been used for all kinds of theatre and musical performances since the 1960s. Guest performances have been given by the world-famous Don Kosaken Choir, Hamburg’s Ohnsorg Theater (who have often appeared), well-known bands and stars, such as The Rattles, The Lords, The Amigos, Achim Reichel, Carel Gott and Alexandra. 

In the 1970s and 1980s the water-sports club members from Jork’s Gymnastics and Sports Association (TuS Jork) held their famous masquerades. And for decades now, the dramatic society, the Kleine Jorker Bühne, has successfully been performing plays. Innumerable sports and club events have been held here. During the Covid pandemic the hall was even used for council and other committee meetings. 

Also: several thousand visitors visit the Matthias Markt in November every year. A small church needlework and handicraft group started the tradition in the 1970s by holding a small bazaar in the church hall. This “St. Matthew’s Market” has since become one of the largest events held in the Altes Land every year. 

Information board 24

Schützenhofstraße 15

21635 Jork

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