Burgergemeinde Bern Open House

On Saturday, the "Burgergemeinde" Bern opened a lot of their properties for visitors to walk through. The "Burgergemeinde" is what remains of the old aristocracy that used to rule Bern. Once popular government took over, the "Burgergemeinde" relinquished the governing part of what they did. They  kept their properties and maintained the cultural life of the city. They own the theater, several of the museums, and many other buildings including the "Casino." This isn't a gambling place at all, but a beautiful old building that houses a magnificent, ornate concert hall, a restaurant, and an assortment of meeting rooms. The Casino "Open House" interested us the most, as we could now see the concert hall without buying a ticket! It was too dark for many pictures, but a few are below.

Of course, anything that has to do with Bern has to have bears. This statue was outside one of the displays.

Human Musical "Memory" Game

What a fun idea this was! Forty opera singers, in two groups, each wearing a numbered vest, stood with their backs to the two contestants. (We were watching from the balcony that was facing the singers.) The contestant would choose a number from each group. The person wearing that number would turn around and sing about 4 measures of a famous opera song. (If you look carefully, you can see one of the singers has turned around and is singing.)

If the songs matched, the contestant won. The contestants had to know their operas! And it was fun to hear great singing, even if only four measures of it at a time! We even recognized some of the tunes.

Fencing Demonstration

If you had been lucky enough to go to the Open House at the Casino, you might have been able to try your hand at fencing, like these people. The instructor was having them practice parrying with each other, first on one side, then on the other.

Chimney Construction 1750

Can you see how the chimney twists on itself? This was so it would fit between the joists and the roof beams. It came up through the floor one way, but had to be turned 90 degrees before it went through the roof. Pretty impressive.

Sweet Creations

Not only do the Swiss do great things with bread dough, but take a look, if you can, at the candy pirate ship wrapped in cellophane. My teeth stick together just looking at it, but it is pretty fantastic, nonetheless.

Sunflower Bread

The Swiss make the most amazing things with bread dough. Can you figure out how they made this Sunflower? The eyes and mouth parts are covered with poppy seeds. And getting all 15 "petals" to come out so even is a real talent!

The Blacksmith's Guild

All the Guilds in Bern had displays set up in the Bundesplatz last Friday. The Blacksmith's Guild had a portable forge going.

They had samples of their work, as well, from a Halberd to a flower to a complete door latch.

Our Latest Clock

We found this cute little clock at a Brocki (2nd-hand store) for 10 francs ($12). They said it didn't run, but it will--it just needs to be cleaned, and to have a proper pendulum. It has a gong to chime the hour and half hour. Steve cleaned one of the weights--it is covered with a fairly thick brass "foil." We have no idea how old it is--probably at least 100 years old.

Moving Chairs

Sometimes the best way to get a seat on a train or in the station is to bring your own chair. Seriously, though, we were delivering chairs--two new kitchen chairs for one apartment, and a chair we repaired to another apartment.

August 1st Ad

August First is Swiss Independence Day. We got a big kick out of the picture of an Irish Wolfhound singing along with the Swiss National Anthem.

Athletic Cows

It says, "Milk, your natural fitness routine."

Albert Anker House

Albert Anker is our favorite Swiss artist. He lived 1831-1910, and painted in a photographic style, so his paintings show a lot of what life was like during his time. We made a "pilgrimage" to his house in Ins (yes, that's a real place). His descendants still live there, and have preserved his attic studio for people to look at. The flowers in the garden were beautiful.