Marlen Menze shares her thoughts with us – Marlen, originally from Hamburg and now living in Berlin, works digitally as a graphic designer but also loves being creatively hands-on – for example, tufting carpets or participating in workshops. She was part of an art collective for a long time, which greatly influenced her perspective on art and collaboration. For her, creativity is more than a profession; it's an attitude and an ongoing process.
A value that guides me in life...
For me, empathy means having a genuine sense for other people. I want to understand how someone is really feeling. I think it's important to listen attentively, to read between the lines, and not to pigeonhole anyone too quickly. Compassion, for me, means being present—even if I don't have a solution. Simply being there, honest, open, and on equal footing. That's important to me.
A value that constantly challenges me...
Patience is a value I admire, especially in people who possess it. I often wish things would become clearer more quickly, that processes could be shortened, that answers would come sooner. I'm someone who senses when something is in motion – but waiting for the how and when is difficult.
A value that our society should live by more.
I think we should embrace more integration. As a society, we often struggle to tolerate differences – cultural, linguistic, and social. Yet, this is precisely where so much potential lies: new perspectives, new stories, new paths. I believe this requires openness – but also structures that enable diversity. Integration is a reciprocal process: listening, allowing participation, and sharing spaces.
