The Belluard Bollwerk Festival, an annual multidisciplinary arts event based in Fribourg, Switzerland, has shifted its thematic focus toward historical inquiry for its current edition. By integrating contemporary performance art with examinations of the past, organizers are prompting a dialogue on how heritage and collective memory influence modern cultural expression in the Swiss Alpine region. … Read more
Unearthing a Forgotten Life: Françoise Matthey’s “L’Effacée” and the Legacy of Alsace’s Annexation The complexities of war and occupation often leave individual stories buried beneath the weight of historical narratives. Swiss poet and author Françoise Matthey seeks to exhume one such life in her new book, “L’Effacée” (The Erased), a poignant exploration of a woman … Read more
Unfolding Family History: Dóra Kiss’s “En Beaux Caractères” Explores the Weight of Silence and the Journey to Rediscovery The echoes of the past often linger, shaping the present and influencing the future. For many families displaced by historical events, the stories of their origins remain fragmented, shrouded in silence, or simply lost to time. Hungarian-Swiss … Read more
Martin Parr: A Retrospective on Mass Tourism and Consumer Culture The world lost a keen observer of modern life earlier this month. British photographer Martin Parr, renowned for his often-unflinching and humorous depictions of consumerism, leisure, and the impact of mass tourism, passed away on December 7, 2025, at the age of 73. A retrospective … Read more