Switzerland’s Global Entanglements
Exhibition | accessibility.time_to
Swiss citizens and companies were heavily involved in the colonial system from the 16th century onwards. Some Swiss companies and private individuals took part in the transatlantic slave trade and earned a fortune from the trade in colonial goods and exploitation of slave labour. Swiss men and women travelled the globe as missionaries. Other Swiss, driven by poverty or a thirst for adventure, served as mercenaries in European armies sent to conquer colonial territory or crush uprisings by the indigenous population. Swiss experts also placed their knowledge at the disposal of the colonial powers. And the racial theories prevalent at the time, which were used to justify the colonial system, formed part of the curriculum at the universities of Zurich and Geneva.
The exhibition at the National Museum Zurich draws on the latest research findings and uses concrete examples, illustrated with objects, works of art, photographs and documents, to present the first-ever comprehensive overview of Switzerland's history of colonial entanglement. And by drawing parallels to contemporary issues, it also explores the question of what this colonial heritage means for present-day Switzerland.
Swiss society has become ever more globally connected since the 16th century. How was Switzerland involved in colonialism? Who took an active role in it and in what role? Viewed from a range of perspectives, eleven spheres of activity offer insights into Switzerland's colonial history.
Tour: 1 hour
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
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Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
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Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
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Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
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Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
The legacy of European colonialism continues to influence the world to this day. What does colonialism have to do with Switzerland and us as a people? What insights do the exhibits offer into the history of exploitation, racism, and resistance? In small groups, students discuss Swiss involvement, contemporary debates, and how colonialism relates to their own lives.
Interactive tour: 1.5 hours
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
90 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
|
|
Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
|
|
Cost: |
CHF 270 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
Colonial history is defined by oppression, exploitation, and resistance. How can its story be told without further propagating a racist and discriminatory worldview? What challenges are involved in visualizing problematic content? Visitors are encouraged to view the exhibition through critical eyes and together to think about the limits of what can be shown.
Tour: 1 hour
This tour is bookable only outside of museum opening hours.
Guided tours can be arranged outside opening hours: Mon between 9.30 am and 6 pm, Tue to Fri between 9.30 am and 7.45 pm. Sat and Sun between 10 am and 5 pm
| Registration: |
2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
60 minutes; special packages can be offered on request |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 participants per tour |
|
|
Languages: |
English, German, Italian, French. Other offers upon request. |
|
|
Cost: |
CHF 180 for the guided tour + CHF 10 admission per person Children up to 16 years free. For groups of people with permit N, S, B, F (refugee) or F (foreigner), the guided tour and admission are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
Swiss society has become ever more globally connected since the 16th century. How was Switzerland involved in colonialism? Who took an active role in it and in what role? Viewed from a range of perspectives, eleven spheres of activity offer insights into Switzerland's colonial history.
1 hour
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Please note this exhibition contains images that visitors might find moving or even disturbing.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 people |
|
|
Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
The legacy of European colonialism continues to influence the world to this day. What does colonialism have to do with Switzerland and us as a people? What insights do the exhibits offer into the history of exploitation, racism, and resistance? In small groups, students discuss Swiss involvement, contemporary debates, and how colonialism relates to their own lives.
Interactive tour: 1.5 hours
Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
Please note this exhibition contains images that visitors might find moving or even disturbing.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 people |
|
|
Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
Virtual tour of the exhibition with suggestions on working with students at secondary level I and above. Hosted by the exhibition's curator Marina Amstad, and Pia Regli of the museum's education service.
This virtual tour will run on Zoom. On registering, participants will receive an individual access code.
Mon 16.09.2024 | 16:30 - 18:00 h
Available to download once the exhibition opens, the pedagogical commentary for teachers will offer insight into the exhibition and suggestions on how to approach the subject in the classroom.
With advance notice, teachers from any location in Switzerland can visit the exhibition independently and free of charge.
Guided tours in English can be arranged, even outside opening hours. Guided tours are free of charge for school classes from Switzerland.
| Booking: |
at least 2 weeks in advance |
|
|
Duration: |
1 hour guided tours, other services by prior arrangement |
|
|
Group size: |
max. 25 people |
|
|
Cost: |
Guided tours for school classes from Switzerland are free of charge. |
openinghours.days.long.monday Open till openinghours.days.long.friday openinghours.openfromto.long
The media conference on the exhibition is taking place on 11.9.2024 at 10:00 at the National Museum Zurich.
The media folder and materials are available for download from this date.
Numerous other exhibitions are organised on the subject of colonialism.
Gianni D'Amato, Samuel Bachmann, Tomás Bartoletti, Nicole Baur, Debjani Bhattacharyya, Martine Brunschwig Graf, Claudia Buess, Khady Camara, Sarah Csernay, Rahel El-Maawi, Hans Fässler, Matthieu Gillabert, Priska Gisler, Anja Glover, Alec von Graffenried, Mischa Hedinger, Aline Helg, Stefan Hertwig, Rachel Huber, Mutombo Kanyana, Rita Kesselring, Philipp Krauer, Mukesh Kumar, Yvan Lab, Stefan Leins, Monique Ligtenberg, Naomi Lubrich, Rachel M’Bon, Patrick Minder, Patrick Moser, Tarek Naguib, El Hadji Malick Ndiaye, Carin Oberhänsli, Andrea Rhyn, Davide Rodogno, Fabio Rossinelli, Hannan Salamat, Jovita dos Santos Pinto, Henri-Michel Yéré, Andreas Zangger, Marcel Zünd, Lukas Zürcher
Teilnehmende der Runden Tische in Zürich und Lausanne, 2022, Studierende des Departements Geschichte Universität Basel, der ZHdK Zürich, der Universität Fribourg, der Universität Bern
The Swiss National Museum would like to thank the Willy G. S. Hirzel Foundation and the Ernst Göhner Foundation for their support.
