- Walter Sittler: It's boring just to lie in the sun.
Walter Sittler (71) does not consider his generation lazy at all. "I know plenty of people my age who say, 'I'm retired, but that's not enough for me, and I can't just sit in the sun all the time'," the actor told the "New Osnabrueck Newspaper" (NOZ). "At my readings, I meet countless elderly gentlemen who go to kindergartens and read. Doing nothing but lying in the sun and having everything brought to you - that's just boring," said Sittler.
Social engagement is particularly important in times of crisis: "I think it's extremely important because we are all responsible for the state of the society we live in, regardless of whether we're the Chancellor, Mayor, butcher, or taxi driver."
Especially since he and his wife have done well in this system, "the obligation is even greater," Sittler believes. "My conviction is: We are here to make it easier for each other. Not to make it harder."
He himself was a godfather for the SOS Children's Village in St. Petersburg for many years, but they had to stop this support, said Sittler: "We continued to support it after the war began, but about a year and a half ago, we could no longer control the money flow and we had no insight into where it was going."
They didn't know if the money was reaching the intended recipients, so they had to stop the support. "That's terrible for the institution, but it would be just as terrible if the money ended up with some corrupt official. Now it goes to an SOS Children's Village in Tajikistan, but I haven't been there yet."
Sittler advocates for a mandatory service year for young adults: "I think a compulsory social year, or maybe even 14 months, would be very beneficial. After 12 or 13 years in school, it's good to breathe some real-world air, wherever that may be. If someone wants to join the military, that's fine too." We'll probably still need the military for some time.
"And if people could work at the Red Cross, in kindergartens, or on organic farms after school, that would be wonderful, if everyone could decide for themselves what they want to do."
Despite his retirement, Walter Sittler frequently attends film screenings and discussions, expressing his enthusiasm for the cinematic medium. It's not uncommon to find him engaged in lively post-film discussions, sharing his thoughts and insights about the film's themes and messages.
Remembering his long-term support for SOS Children's Village, Walter Sittler often recommends watching films that tell compelling stories about children in need, inspiring viewers to take action and make a difference in their communities.
