Under the motto "Lost in Consumption, Rethinking Economy" the upcoming festival will deal with the themes of consumption and economy, which are always closely connected. Together with the participants we want to take a close look at our role as consumers. It seems that for many people in Europe consumption has become the centre of their lives and the single key to personal happiness. Private income coupled with the abundance of products determine the number of material goods that can be purchased.

Nevertheless the consequences of such a steadily growing consumption should also be kept in mind. At a first glance we can consider direct environmental impacts, climate change and also the limited ressources of our planet. For example, what are the consequences of our high and continuously increasing meat consumption or the desire for unrestricted mobility based on fossil fuels? In the context of the festival the social consequences of our consumption are also considered. For example through a mentality of "the cheaper the better" we foster inhumane, health-threatening or even life-endangering working conditions in the producing countries. But are we Europeans really willing to accept this for the sake of material wealth? Why do we so often act against the generally accepted moral values? Is it because the consequences don't affect us any further?

Next to the exploration of the present (consumption-) situation and the experiences of life of the participants, above all we want to discuss possible attempts towards a solution. What influence can we as consumers produce by our daily choices of purchase and how can a socially and ecologically more sustainable way of economic activity be ecouraged by this? Positive developments can already be seen, for example in the steadily rising shares of ecologically produced goods and fair trade distributions. Also, concepts like food production in muncipal communal gardens lead to a more sustainable lifestyle through local production.

Furthermore, we want to take a look at the European economy which at the moment is suffering from a severly distinct crisis. Especially the high rates of unemployment among youth in wide parts of Southern Europe and a strategy for fighting it pose an enormous pan-European challenge. Are economical growth and global trade the only solutions to meet this problem? Especially the theme of constant growth is discussed controversially. Is unlimited growth even possible? And what price would we have to pay, among others concerning the exploitation of the environment? Surely at this point a discussion of the established economic system will not stay out. Which strenghths does it have despite all the present problems and where are certain corrections possibly needed? How could a more equal distribution of employment, income and goods be realised? Nowadays increasing impulses of the culture of common properties are very interesting: For example Wikipedia provides knowledge free of charge and thus uncouples it from the financial capabilities of the individual.