Seeing Switzerland: Ascension

2019 - a documentary

Exhibited at:
photoZürich 2020
Halle 622 & StageOne Zürich-Oerlikon
10.01. - 14.01.2020

At the end of 2018, I had to realize that I knew my home country, Switzerland, far too little in all its facets. For this reason, I set out in 2019 to visit for me unknown places and their inhabitants while living out their traditions and festivals. This resulted in recordings that showed me how deeply religion and traditions are still rooted in some regions. For example, did you know that in Appenzell on the so-called “Funkensonntag” or "Spark Sunday", winter is driven out with a big fire? Or that, exceptionally, children are allowed to puff stumps at the cantonal cattle shows? 

Nun standing on green field under blue sky waiting for a group of pilgrims passing by.
Pilgrims on ascension-day dressed in traditional dresses praying the rosemary.
Selfmade altar of residents of Bermünster to tribute Jesus on ascension-day.
Young and midle-aged man holding bull by rope.
Group of kids smoking on cattle show in Appenzell.
Group of people expelling winter on a mountain on spark sunday in Appenzell.
Man carrying wooden cross and leading a group of "pleureuses" around church in Romont.
Women dressed in black as "pleureuses" walking by a boy asking for silence.
Group of young acolytes at Corpus Christi in Appenzell Innerrhoden.
Habitants of Appenzell raising her hands on village suqare to vote at Landsgemeinde.