On November 20, 2025, around 200 participants visited the Christmas get-together of our central project Z03 “Mentally Fit in Old Age.”
Dr. Beate Schumann-Werner led the varied program, which began with Prof. Anne Maass presenting the current recruitment status of the Z03 project and outlining the studies planned for the second funding period.
A special highlight was the guest lecture by PD Dr. Cornelius Werner (Chief Physician for Neurology and Geriatrics at the Johanniter Hospital in Stendal) on the topic of “Brain and Language” He explained, among other things, how multilingualism and language learning in old age promote mental fitness.
The event was rounded off by Prof. Emrah Düzel, who presented his new book “Geistig fit bis ins hohe Alter” and demonstrated a memory exercise for the participants to try at home. Afterwards, the participants had the opportunity to test their knowledge in a quiz and enjoy an award ceremony.
In addition, two participants were honored for their exceptional commitment: Willy Bartz and Ilona Heckmann took part of the Hirschhausen documentary “Hirschhausen und das große Vergessen”, which aired in October, and also participated in a panel discussion at the Silbersalz Festival in Halle, where the documentary was presented in an exclusive preview.
At the subsequent get-together in the foyer afterwards, a Christmas buffet provided the participants with the opportunity to chat and exchange ideas with one another and with the speakers – an atmospheric conclusion that highlighted the importance of social contact for healthy aging.