Ahrweiler impresses with the new 1000-piece puzzle of the Adenbachtor!

Ahrweiler impresses with the new 1000-piece puzzle of the Adenbachtor!

Who would have thought that the Ahr Valley would also have such a story to tell in the area of ​​analogue entertainment? A special highlight is the new puzzle in the range of Alexander Petkovski, the operator of the “Brettspielheld” shop in Ahrweiler. The last highlight in the Ahrweiler puzzle series shows the historic Adenbachtor and is made up of a whopping 1000 pieces. Petkovski specializes in board and board games and places particular emphasis on local motifs that reflect the charm of the region. The Adenbachtor puzzle is the third in the series, which began two years ago with the Ahrtor and has now been supplemented by the Niedertor.

The board game hero's puzzle program is expanded every year with a new 1000-piece puzzle, so that fans of Ahrweiler architecture can already wait for the next delivery: next year the series will be completed with the Obertor. Petkovski has a sense of what appeals to customers and invites everyone to discover the exciting world of board games and puzzles in his store. In addition to the puzzles, the range also includes numerous board games that are suitable for every age group - from entertaining family games for Sunday afternoons to tricky strategy games for social evenings with friends.

Board games on the rise

But that's not just the case in Ahrweiler. The market for board games in Germany is showing steady growth. Millions of board games can be found in German households every year, and the SPIEL trade fair in Essen attracts visitors from all over the world. In 2023 alone, 193,000 people attended this major event dedicated to the latest trends and developments. The “Game of the Year” critics’ award has also established itself as an important award for outstanding games.

What many people don't know: Board games are not just fun and games, they offer a wide range of content that can also address socio-political issues. Games like “Weimar – The Fight for Democracy” by Matthias Cramer enable players to playfully experience the political context of the first German republic. Cooperative games, such as “e-Mission” from Leacock and Menapace, also bring players together to fight against climate change and promote social interaction.

Community through games

The positive effects of board games on society are undisputed. They promote understanding of rules and bring people from different backgrounds together. At the same time, the development of democratic skills can be strengthened by negotiating the rules of the game. But there is still often a lack of systematic integration of analog games in educational institutions. Projects like “Playing Makes School” could build a bridge to more education through games, but implementation is still a long time coming.

The advantages of board and card games do not go unnoticed: they strengthen a sense of community and empathy among players. Especially at a time when lonely young people tend to have anti-democratic attitudes, analogue games could be an effective method for promoting democratic skills. Innovative approaches such as the establishment of an “Analog Gaming Culture Foundation” could revolutionize not only perception but also education through games.

Visit the “board game hero” in Ahrweiler to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of analog games and perhaps put together the new Adenbachtor puzzle! For more information, see Brettspielheld.

For more in-depth insights into the importance of board games in our society and their potential to promote democracy, read [Politics Culture](https://politikkultur.de/inland/brettspieled-demokratiefaehig- Werden-2/).

And to find out more about the Ahrweiler puzzle series and other local events, check out the Rhein-Zeitung.