Munich discovers hidden jewels: third places in focus!

Munich discovers hidden jewels: third places in focus!

Münchner Freiheit, München, Deutschland - in Munich has taken on an exciting art project called "Third Places". It aims to identify and archive social meeting points that are not at home or at work. This idea, which was shaped by the US sociologist Ray Oldenburg, is also increasingly paying attention in this country. Miriam Worek, a committed art teacher, heads this project and will start an interesting campaign on Wednesday, July 16. The idea is not only to capture current, but also current and even utopian places in order to honor their importance in our society. As the tz are reported in the city library Motorama for interested citizens: scheduled on the inside, on July 22nd and 28th and on August 12th, from 7 p.m.

In addition, citizens can borrow a city research backpack inside from July 16, equipped with a 3D scan tablet and microphone to document their own cultural locations. Worek has already captured numerous impressions and objects, including the popular Cafébar Mona, which served as a meeting point for subcultural events during her two years and has been closed since 2024. Historical photos of places such as the Theater Dreiler expand the archive and provide insights into the change in the Munich cultural scene.

The variety of third places

third places are much more than just café -cozy corners; You can be wherever people feel a need for social interaction. According to the Körber-Foundation it is important to use existing places creatively. Restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets with cozy coffee areas are popular contact points, especially for senior: inside who like to spend time there to maintain contacts. In Germany, however, studies show that the number of restaurants have decreased since the Corona Lockdowns. At the same time, the prices in gastronomy increase, which makes the situation difficult for social encounters.

A review of the state of social meeting points shows that many traditional restaurants in the country no longer exist, which unfortunately is often due to age or business reasons. It is all the more important that municipalities become active. A good example of innovative meeting rooms are the "third places" that exist in various forms such as cafes, book stores or common rooms. In the United States, the Netherlands and Northern Europe in particular, many libraries have redefined their role as social meeting points and thus promote active participation of the citizens: Inside - initiatives are also available in this country to make libraries more attractive.

loneliness counteract

The topic of loneliness and social isolation is increasingly recognized as a social problem. Public meeting points play a crucial role in social interaction, especially for older people. The need to create and promote such places also discusses the Bvpraevention . Initiatives such as "Stühlen out!" Or show cross -generational lunch tables how easy it can be to organize neighborhood actions that bring people together.