feat!: drop support for end-of-life python versions

currently, we support python >= 3.8

this means, we do support python versions that are end-of-life. see https://devguide.python.org/versions/

* py38 - EOL 2024-10-07
* ... TBC ...

## proposal

- drop support for EOL py-versions
- raise the min-version of supported python to the latest feature-release of a reasonable new py-version
- migrate code and tooling to new min-version

Start by locating the project’s Python-version declarations and tooling configuration, then compare the supported versions with the Python release schedule linked in the issue. Review the code and tooling for compatibility with the proposed minimum version. Done means EOL versions are no longer supported, the minimum version is updated, and the project’s checks pass on the new range.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.