The photo-ethnographic exhibition 'Europe's New Elderly' at the Museum Europäischer Kulturen explores the living conditions and day-to-day experiences of the elderly in Europe. The project features retired individuals from various social classes, and both urban as well as rural areas. Photographs and interviews with retirees reveal their living conditions, environments, and everyday lives, while their personal stories illustrate how they actively shape their situations and social participation. Paired with the photographs, these conversations do not focus only on the past, but purposely on the subjects' desires, plans, and hopes for the present and future. Through photographs and interviews, differences and commonalities emerge across different regions throughout Europe. One thing is clear, however: No matter whether the participants are from Belgium, Germany, France, Georgia, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Austria, Russia, Sweden, Slovenia, or Spain, the elderly have a lot to talk about, as well as a lot to do!

The exhibition, which occurs within the context of the photo-ethnographic exhibition series 'Images of Europe' comprises 27 photo essays by photographer Gabriele Kostas, interviews and discussions, and invites viewers to join a conversation that spans generations.