What drives us to speak out for our values today? Together with the Museum für Franken and the Waldorf School Würzburg, we explored this very question. Inspired by the historical anniversary "1525 – Franconia Demands Freedom*s," we shifted the focus from the distant Peasants' War directly to the year 2026 and asked: Which freedoms are we taking to the streets for today?

For us, it is clear that cultural spaces—as Veronika Genslein writes in the foreword to our exhibition catalog—are never neutral. They are places of encounter where a stand is taken. Our founder, Pia Beckmann, emphasized in her speech at the finissage how crucial one's own voice and self-efficacy are for a vibrant democracy. A scientific highlight was the presentation of our research project #endlichankommen. Under the guidance of Prof. Dieter Kulke from the THWS, students analyzed over 100 interviews from our series. The results impressively revealed the hopes and values that move people today, proving that the willingness to take responsibility for society is as alive as ever.

These impulses were translated into powerful art by the students of the Waldorf School. Whether through percussion, eurythmy, or socially critical video works—the young talents demonstrated that freedom is not an abstract concept, but one deeply rooted in their daily lives. We are particularly proud that two of these works, "(Sch)Merz" by Jonna Fischer and "Kein Raum für Worte" by Lorenz Greshake, were officially acquired for the museum's permanent collection.

The festive finissage at the Marienberg Fortress thus became a true space for connection. In the conversations between young people, visitors, and politicians such as Lord Mayor Martin Heilig, it became evident that art is the ideal door-opener for breaking down barriers. We look back on a project that proved: Democracy begins with conversation. A heartfelt thank you goes to Veronika Genslein from the Museum für Franken, the team at the Waldorf School, and all the dedicated young people who took a stand alongside us.

You can find all the students' artworks here on our website under "Exhibition." More about the project is available on our YouTube channel and on Instagram!