The International Bildungsforum Spielmarkt Potsdam was a play education training event from practice for practice. Most recently, this training consisted of two event formats:
- the Spielmarkt Academy at the Social Pedagogical Training Institute Berlin-Brandenburg and
- the large-scale Spielmarkt event on Hermannswerder Island in Potsdam.
Both event formats served the goal of taking play seriously and using it in all areas of pedagogy as an element of education and personality development.
Most recently, it was held alternately every two years, both with the same main theme.
The two-day major event Spielmarkt consisted of three areas which, interwoven, offered a colourful programme on Hermannswerder Island. In addition to the specialist area with over 100 workshops, lectures, podiums and project presentations, there was an exhibitor area where game inventors, publishers, institutions and associations offered games, literature and materials for educational practice to try out and buy. The third area was the play islands and activities on the central play meadow and in other parts of the outdoor area. A cultural programme with shows, exhibitions and performances rounded off the colourful programme. Participation was possible for a small fee without pre-registration and without a limited number of participants.
The format Spielmarkt-Academy, on the other hand, was a specialist event with a limited number of participants and a stronger focus on professionalism. In the broadest sense, “academy” means a place for professional exchange and reflection, where academic discourse is more strongly included than was possible at the large-scale event. During the one and a half days there was be lectures, impulses, workshops, discussion rounds, expert panels and other events on the respective focal topic.
Participation was only possible with pre-registration for the entire duration of the event and payment of a conference fee. Accommodation was be provided and could be booked by participants. The number of participants was limited to about 100 people from educational practice and academic research. In contrast to the large event, group registrations was not possible.
The organiser of the play market was the Protestant Youth in the Protestant Church in Central Germany (EKM), supported by the Protestant Church Berlin-Brandenburg-Silesian Upper Lusatia (EKBO), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, the Evangelical Church of Anhalt, the Hoffbauer Foundation Potsdam, the Stephanus Foundation Berlin and the Social Pedagogical Training Institute Berlin-Brandenburg (SFBB).
In addition, a large number of other partners are involved.
