Silent night, loud night - Christmas and us"
On 2 December, the world of Gmundner Keramik in Auerspergstraße was transformed into an atmospheric forum for an evening of discussion that was as profound as it was festive. Under the title "Silent night, loud night - Christmas and us", prominent guests from the worlds of culture, church and society met to discuss the meaning of Christmas in an increasingly fast-paced world.
Between hand-painted plates, characteristic greenery and unique Christmas ceramics, the Gmundner Keramik Store provided the perfect setting: The warm, handcrafted atmosphere of the traditional manufactory reflected much of what was later thematised on stage. At the centre of the evening were Dr Agnes Husslein and cathedral priest Toni Faber, who together explored the question of whether Christmas today is still a festival of contemplation or whether it has long since become a hectic commercial event. The tension between religion and tradition was also the subject of lively discussion: What role do Mary, Jesus & Co. still play in contemporary art and culture? And how political has Christmas become - from the Christmas market to St Nicholas in nurseries? The guests included Claudia Plakolm, Toni Faber, Toni Faber, Agnes Husslein, Peter Husslein, Daniel Serafin, Toni Mörwald, Sonja Klima, Herbert Lippert, Marika Lichter, Robert Steiner and many other well-known names, who rounded off the evening with personal conversations. The combination of social exchange and the unmistakable aesthetics of Gmunden ceramics made the event more than just a discussion format: it was a silent reminder that genuine craftsmanship and living tradition still have a firm place in Christmas togetherness today - perhaps especially in noisy times.
Dr Agnes Husslein, Cathedral priest Toni Faber, Alexander Köck, Herbert Lippert, Andreas Glatz, Claudia Plakolm, Lisa Koroschetz, Marika Lichter, Fanny Salomon, Daniel Serafin, Serafin Inge, Prof Dr Peter Husslein
