A brimming Advent calendar, a radiant Christmas tree – who can resist the sparkling magic of Christmas?

In this exhibition, a cultural-historical Advent calendar offers a look at traditions and rituals, old and new. It highlights the many facets of the festive season, especially those that resonate with us emotionally this time of year. Joy and togetherness, sadness and solitude often go hand in hand.

A photo wall shines a spotlight on Christmas time in Vorarlberg. Interviews give an insight into life circumstances that make a happy Christmas difficult. Offers of support can be invaluable in challenging times. Learn more about this at interactive stations and key tables throughout the exhibition.

Tucked into the exhibition calendar are 37 exhibits from museums and private collections. These little objects are used to mark and visualise the days between the first Sunday in Advent and Epiphany. Each window of the calendar contains a miniature object that tells a story related to different traditions or rituals. As well as highlighting historical customs, they point to contemporary challenges and can be a source of strength and support in troubled times.

Christmas decorations have an emotional value. We collect beloved individual pieces that remind us of shared moments, then protect them like little treasures.

This Christmas tree is decorated with baubles and string lights. The words on the ornaments speak to both the bright and dark sides of life.

The table provides a place to make personalised ornaments to hang on the tree. This can help us celebrate the memories of loved ones we miss during the holidays and bring them into the centre of our community.

How can we include those we miss in our Christmas celebrations? Old and new traditions tie the past to the here and now.

"The “Worry Wall” offers a safe space to express feelings, thoughts or wishes – and perhaps even leave them behind.

This station encourages active processing of grief and provides a place for quiet reflection. Whatever worries are left here, they will remain part of this space until the end of the exhibition. Afterwards, we will burn the contents of the Worry Wall in a fire ritual by the lake, returning all worries, wishes, hopes and fears to the greater whole.

There is material on the table to fill the worry wall. Label the pieces of paper and stick them in the „Worry Wall“.

Fire ritual: 7 January 2025, 5:00 pm, main entrance, vorarlberg museum

How does loneliness affect our psyche?

Sometimes we are lonely even when we are surrounded by others if we do not feel a sense of emotional closeness and connection. This can lead to sadness, a feeling of emptiness, isolation, emotional distress and withdrawal from social life.

How do we overcome loneliness?

Establishing routines, nurturing existing relationships, actively seeking out new social contacts and connecting with others who are, or have been, in a similar situation can help combat loneliness.

There may also be benefits from support groups, community activities, volunteering and online platforms.

Don’t hesitate to seek professional help, such as counselling!

Can I cope with grief on my own?

Grief is a natural process. However, sometimes it is difficult to handle grief alone, and sometimes natural sadness slides into depression. Distinguishing between the two can be difficult as they look and feel very similar.

Seeking support during the grieving process can be very helpful.

Where does grief show up in the body?

Grief can be a physical expression of emotional distress that appears anywhere in the body. It has the potential to significantly affect your ability to carry out everyday tasks.

What happens when we don’t process our grief?

It can be more stressful for our subconscious to suppress the pain of loss than to actively deal with our grief.
 

You’re not alone!

What’s weighing on your heart? Why counselling?

Counselling can help us deal with a wide range of personal issues in a personalised and professional way – not just those related to grief and loneliness.

“What is life and social counseling”
Podcast Kinderstuba with Sophia und Andrea

Link to podcast
open.spotify.com/episode/4k8YU04pKImhLDTaLm059K

Please feel free to contact us for further information or if you are interested in speaking to someone. We are happy to help!

Sophia Rüscher – Fussenegger, MBA: www.sophia-ruescher.at, Tel: +43 681 81780699
Mag. Andrea Frede: www.andreafrede.at, Tel: +43 677 642 80 365

Telefonseelsorge Vorarlberg
Telefonnummer/Phone Number: 142

Caritas - Kontaktstelle Trauer
https://www.caritas-pflege.at/vorarlberg/beratung-begleitung/trauerbegleitung

Trauergruppen – Selbsthilfe Vorarlberg
https://selbsthilfe-vorarlberg.at/trauergruppen/

Rainbows -Trauerbegleitung - Für Kinder in stürmischen Zeiten
https://www.rainbows.at/vorarlberg-angebote/#tab-id-4

Gesprächsgruppe für Sterneneltern und Angehörige:
sternen-klar.at

Seniorenbörse Bregenz
https://www.lebensraum-bregenz.at/freiwilligenarbeit/seniorenboerse/

Pensionistenverband Vorarlberg
https://pvoe.at/vorarlberg/

Psychotherapeutinnen
https://www.vlp.or.at/psychotherapie/psychotherapeutinnen-suche

Lebens- und Sozialberaterinnen
https://www.wko.at/vlbg/gewerbe-handwerk/personenberatung-betreuung/psychosoziale-beratung-angebot

Lebensraum Bregenz
www.lebensraum-bregenz.at
Tel: +43 5574 52 700

For further information or if you are interested in a consultation, please contact us:

Sophia Rüscher-Fussenegger, MBA
social and life coach
sophia-ruescher.at, Tel: +43 681 817 80 699

Mag. Andrea Frede
social and life coach
andreafrede.at, Tel: +43 677 642 80 365

Why are rituals helpful?

“Everyone should have rituals in their daily life – little islands that help us be and stay positive.” (Urte Scholz)
Rituals we do together, over and over again, keep us connected.
Rituals have an emotional value.

Especially in times of crisis, rituals are an important resource. They make positive experiences possible and can help us find inner peace.
In times of grief, rituals help us consciously process the painful loss of a loved one. They provide a wonderful framework for expressing our feelings, saying goodbye, and moving through the grieving process with others.

Kinetic Sand – visualising the moment and its transience

Use kinetic sand to make shapes and figures. Touch them gently with your fingers. You will see that what was once stable and whole can slip through your fingers in the next moment. Every present moment is ephemeral. It passes quickly and becomes a memory. We need to let go, even if we would like to hold on to certain forms or figures a little longer.

The Worry Wall – holding on and letting go

Take a piece of paper and a pen.
Write down your thoughts, fears, worries, sorrows, memories or wishes, a farewell message, a question, or silent thought.
Roll up the paper.
Place it in a crevice of the Worry Wall along the wall of the atrium.
This action symbolises the ancient tradition of letting go or sharing your pain.

Take a moment to reflect.

Commemorative Christmas ornaments – making space through creativity and visualisation

Take an empty Christmas ornament and decorate it. Who are you missing right now? Draw or write down thoughts that remind you of them! Give this moment to him or her and then find a place for your ornament on this special tree.