PROJECTS
Generational stories:
overcome borders, create identities
The East is not the same as the East. Our focus on the differences between East and West Germany makes us disregard how societies in countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic developed after the Soviet era. A look at neighbouring countries shows that socialism was not the same as socialism and Germany is not the same as Western Europe. What do today's generations learn about the collapse of the Soviet Union from school books and stories? The after-effects of these upheavals are still visible in the everyday lives of young people. What issues concern and affect young generations in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic? How does a society between socialism and today remember?
As part of the Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 and with Ostra e. V. as the supporting organisation, we are carrying out the project ‘Generational stories: Overcoming Borders, Shaping Identity(ies)’ in Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. The project aims to raise awareness of the impact that the collapse of socialism has had and continues to have on individual and collective identities in East Germany and the East Central European states of the Czech Republic and Poland.
With a focus on Generation Z, which serves as a bridge between the different worlds of experience and generations, the project questions our connection to the past (What does this memory still have to do with me?). Innovative dialogue formats, interactive workshops and cinematic narratives open up spaces to explore and question the diversity of memory cultures. Visualising thoughts and feelings across borders creates mutual understanding in the sense of the European community (Who remembers how?).
The project aims to break new ground in a democratic culture of dialogue that encourages future generations to develop a shared and inclusive vision of the future.
projekt description:
Our
goals
The awareness of diversity is growing in East Germany - and that strengthens the community.
The influence of the Reunification and transformation on the lives of the East German Generation Z is becoming visible.
The dialogue formats strengthen democratic discourse and mutual networking.
Recognising similarities and appreciating differences strengthens the European community.
The first phase (InterGenEast) begins with intergenerational dialogue and listening formats in Chemnitz, Zwickau and Thalheim. Here, different generations are invited to talk about their experiences after the fall of the Berlin Wall and its after-effects to this day. The focus is on promoting intergenerational understanding and constructive social discourse.
The third phase (exhibition) of the project is a travelling exhibition that shows the diversity of German and Eastern European realities. This exhibition will be opened in Chemnitz. Through a supporting programme, the exhibition is intended to encourage people to come to terms with their own past and reflect on it in a European context.
2
1
3
The second phase (InterEuropeEast) of the project will be realised through workshops in Poland, Czech Republic and Germany. These workshops explore historical narratives and the life realities of Generation Z in relation to the aftermath of transformation. This will be followed by an online conference in which participants from those European countries will discuss and share perspectives together.
our
events
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
Phase 3:
Dialog- und Zuhörformate
Chemnitz - Zwickau - Thalheim
Workshops
Chemnitz - Warszawa (PL) - České Budějovice (CZ)
Ausstellung
Chemnitz
our
partners:
our
promoter
