«intergeneration»

Annual theme 2025: InterGeneration

"I hope I die before I get old!" sang The Who in their 1965 song My Generation, capturing the defiantly rebellious spirit of their generation. Today, as the baby boomers retire, we read almost daily about «Generation Z», described as media­ savvy, eco-friendly, but also rather non­ committal and work-shy. Does it have something to do with the attitude to life of an entire generation, or are these characterizations merely gross simplifications'? What defines a generation, and what is the point of categorizing people by age'? Or does it divide us unnecessarily'? Do we have to feel that we belong to our own generation, or is it just a concept that we can safely ignore'?

What could a more intergenerational relationship look like'? And how do other cultures deal with this issue and how does it evolve'? These questions can also be linked to Villa Sonnenberg and artistic expression. The 250- year-old Villa Sonnenberg has been a country estate, a family residence, a restaurant and, most recently, the artist's residence of the composer, painter, and writer Peter Mieg. Several generations have lived under the same roof, exchanging experiences, ideas, and perspectives. Through this dialogue, the house has been constantly filled with new ideas and revitalized so that it is still with us today. This process should continue and develop.