AGE-C at the First Science Festival of the Frankfurt Alliance

On Saturday, September 28th our project leader, Prof. Vinzenz Hediger, proudly represented AGE-C at the inaugural Science Festival of the newly founded “Frankfurt Alliance.” Held at the bustling Roßmarkt in the heart of Frankfurt am Main, the event was a vivid showcase of the region’s research excellence and commitment to making science accessible and engaging for the public.

The Science Festival, which drew a large number of visitors from near and far, aimed to break down the walls of the so-called “ivory tower” of academia. It transformed the Roßmarkt into an open-air laboratory where science could be experienced hands-on and in a playful atmosphere. With interactive exhibits, live science demonstrations, and thought-provoking panel discussions, the festival brought together institutions and researchers from diverse fields to highlight the strength and variety of research conducted in the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main region.

Prof. Hediger took to the stage to present the AGE-C initiative’s work on the intersections of aging and gender in European cinema, sparking a lively conversation on how film reflects, shapes, and sometimes challenges societal attitudes towards aging. He emphasized the importance of studying aging not just as a biological process, but as a cultural phenomenon that influences identities and narratives across Europe.

The event, which saw participation from major research institutes and universities, created a space for visitors of all ages to explore science in unexpected ways — from immersive VR experiences inside a human cell to live experiments explaining complex physics concepts. Prof. Hediger’s contribution added a unique cultural dimension to this mix, demonstrating how film studies can offer profound insights into the human experience.

Events like this are crucial for bridging the gap between academia and the broader public. They invite dialogue, nurture curiosity, and show that science is not just about numbers and facts — it’s also about stories, experiences, and the way we understand our place in the world.

As part of AGE-C, we are proud to be part of a research community that values this exchange. We look forward to future opportunities to share our research and engage with the public in new and meaningful ways!

To know more about this exciting event, follow this link:

https://frankfurtscience.de/en/lineup/never-too-old-for-the-big-performance

Written by: Olena Gepper

Image credit: Frankfurt Alliance Science Festival

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