A hospital stay is often associated with worries, fears and many difficult thoughts for children and their families. In moments like these, art can offer comfort, provide strength and inspire renewed confidence. This is where the Mutgeber come in. Their name can be translated as “Courage-Givers”: special beings created by young patients for other young patients. They are strong, possess extraordinary powers and are intended to help children let go of their worries, find courage and develop positive thoughts.

The redesign of the entrance area at the Katholisches Kinderkrankenhaus Wilhelmstift was initiated by the Rotary Club Hamburg-Walddörfer. The club actively helped to develop, fund and realise the project together with everyone involved. It is intended as a sign of practical support and, at the same time, as an invitation to other sponsors to contribute to this special initiative.

The original idea and artistic concept for the figures were developed by Hamburg-based artists Line Hoven and Kristine Thiemann. In spring 2026, they created the Mutgeber together with young patients in a series of workshops. They then transformed the resulting ideas into a graphic and photographic design for the entrance area of Wilhelmstift.

It was a great pleasure to bring together Line Hoven, Kristine Thiemann, the Rotary Club Hamburg-Walddörfer and the Wilhelmstift Children’s Hospital, and to actively support the project from the initial idea through to its final realisation.

We wish the children, their families and the staff at Wilhelmstift much joy, strength and inspiration from the Mutgeber.