With mulled wine in hand and the lights of the market all around, members of our group came together in Jena to close out an eventful year and to welcome a quieter season ahead.

In a festive mood, several members of the working group met at the Jena Christmas Market to mark the beginning of the holiday season together. Despite the cold temperatures, the evening was accompanied by good weather and an atmosphere shaped by music, warm lights, and the scent of seasonal food. Around the decorated Christmas tree on the market square, the group spent time chatting and enjoying a small selection of winter treats.

Beyond the culinary highlights of the Jena Christmas Market, the gathering offered something that often becomes scarce during busy months: an unhurried moment to pause. Over the past year, a great deal has happened in and around the still young group. New routines were established, projects developed momentum, and the everyday rhythm of research and teaching brought both challenges and progress. In that sense, the evening was more than a social get-together; it was a brief but welcome opportunity to look back, share impressions, and appreciate what has been achieved together.

As the year draws to a close, the focus now shifts toward rest and recovery. The upcoming weeks are meant to create distance from day-to-day work, offering a chance to recharge, gain perspective, and return with renewed energy. In research, sustained progress depends not only on motivation and expertise, but also on phases of deliberate calm. This winter evening in Jena captured that idea in a simple way: good company, a shared conversation, and a clear signal that the season for slowing down has arrived.