In the midst of the idyllic landscape of the Black Forest, masterpieces of craftsmanship blend harmoniously into the landscape. Walter Epting from Kirnbach in the Black Forest has mastered a traditional skill and covers roofs with thatch.

Reed and straw, are probably the oldest materials with which one covers roofs. It was available everywhere and cost almost nothing. Today it is different and is rarely desired in southern Germany. Most of the time, these are buildings that are listed as historical monuments. Walter Epting is probably one of the last who still masters this art in the south.

His passion and fascination for the material is unbroken. Stalk by stalk, Walter Epting and his staff place them on the large roof surfaces. Without rattling and screeching machines, he models curves, edges and ridges. Everything appears to be cast from a single mold. A true art of craftsmanship!

IN THE VIDEO
Walter Epting, thatcher
Oliver Gries, employee

CREDITS
Author: Thomas Weber
Camera: Dirk Schwarz, Dorian Ostermann
Sound: Jonathan Utecht, Felix Hess
Editing: Monika Agler
Narrator: Rolf Hüffer
Editing: Carmen Lustig
Producers: Monika Agler, Günter Moritz
A production of: teamWERK, Die Filmproduktion GmbH
Social Media Editors: Land und Leute RP Online