The exhibition "Childhood in Transition. From Straw Doll to Smartphone" illuminates the diverse facets of childhood. Curated by Bianca Russ-Panhofer.
The exhibition highlights the diverse facets of childhood – from education, play, and upbringing to work, nutrition, and healthcare – and shows how childhood has changed over generations. Educational focuses differed for girls and boys even within their social class. Bourgeois boys were prepared for their roles as providers and protectors of the family, while girls were prepared for their duties as mothers, wives, and homemakers. This was already done at a young age through the provision of gender-specific toys. "A glimpse into children's eyes is a journey into the past. Often we wish for our children to have a childhood like the one we experienced ourselves. But the world is changing. The exhibition takes us back to the time of Peter Rosegger and, in a slightly romanticized and humorous way, shows the everyday life of that time. Themes such as clothing, medicine, nutrition, and education reflect the changes that children experienced then and now. It is particularly exciting to see how childhood has changed over the generations," said director Marko Mele about the exhibition.
Curator Russ-Panhofer: "The history of childhood is inextricably linked with Peter Rosegger. He not only dealt intensively with education, schooling, and the neglect of children but also suggested ways to do better. The exhibition illuminates childhood in all its facets – then and now. It showcases the changes and challenges that children experience in the digital world. Perhaps it will also encourage us to pause and consider how far digitalization should go.”
Location: Rosegger Museum Krieglach, “Studierhäusl”, Roseggerstraße 44, 8670 Krieglach
Opening hours: 29.03.–31.10.2025, Tue–Sun, holidays, 10 AM–5 PM
Information: +43-3855/2375, info-rosegger@museum-joanneum.at
Date and time
Event location
Krieglach - Roseggermuseum-Studierhäusl