The Alpine Museum of Switzerland in Bern is launching a new exhibition titled "When Mountains Slide," which explores the human impact of climate change in the Swiss Alps. Opening on October 18, the exhibition gives a platform to mountain residents who are directly affected by increasing natural hazards such as landslides, thawing permafrost, and mudflows.
Through a series of personal audio testimonials, the exhibit focuses on the stories of loss, adaptation, and uncertainty faced by communities in the canton of Glarus. The theme has gained significant relevance following recent natural disasters, including a major rockslide in Blatten.
Key Takeaways
- The Alpine Museum of Switzerland will host the exhibition "When Mountains Slide" from October 18, 2024, to mid-April 2026.
- The exhibition features 16 audio stories from residents of the Glarus canton, detailing their experiences with climate-related natural disasters.
- Recent events, such as the rockslide in Blatten and flooding in Brienz, have highlighted the urgent nature of the exhibition's theme.
- A program of accompanying events will include talks from affected residents and a writing workshop.
Giving a Voice to Mountain Communities
The core of "When Mountains Slide" is a collection of 16 audio recordings that share the personal perspectives of those living with the constant threat of natural dangers. According to the museum, the exhibition aims to move beyond scientific data to capture the emotional and practical realities of climate change in the Alps.
Contributors include individuals from various walks of life, such as a sheep farmer, a Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hut warden, and a tourism expert. Their stories touch on themes of loss, the struggle to adapt, and their hopes and fears for the future of their communities.
"It's unfair, it doesn't affect everyone equally. For some it's just a rented garage or a holiday home, for others it's their life."
This quote, attributed to a politician featured in one of the audio stations, captures the deep personal and economic disparities in how these events impact residents. The museum stated that these experiences are not just local issues but reflect a challenge facing numerous communities across the country.
Recent Events Underscore Exhibition's Urgency
The museum noted that the exhibition's subject matter became unexpectedly timely during its development phase. In the early summer of 2024, a significant glacier and rockslide buried parts of the village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley, bringing the abstract threat of geological instability into sharp focus.
Additionally, severe weather during the summer of 2024 caused the Milibach stream to flood, devastating a section of the village of Brienz. These events have reportedly increased awareness in urban areas of Switzerland about the direct threats faced by alpine regions.
A Shifting Landscape
Climate change is accelerating the melting of glaciers and the thawing of permafrost, which acts as a glue holding mountainous terrain together. As the permafrost degrades, rock faces become less stable, increasing the frequency and scale of landslides and rockfalls in high-altitude regions across Switzerland.
These high-profile incidents have made the public more conscious of the tangible consequences of a changing mountain environment. Many people are now more aware of how their own experiences in the mountains are changing, from encountering rerouted hiking trails to finding that familiar mountain huts have been closed due to safety concerns.
The Human Experience of Environmental Change
The exhibition deliberately centers on the human element, examining how communities process and cope with environmental transformation. It explores the psychological toll of living with uncertainty and the complex decisions residents face about whether to stay, rebuild, or relocate.
By featuring diverse voices, from those who work the land to those who manage tourism, the exhibit provides a comprehensive view of how an entire regional ecosystem is being reshaped. It highlights not only the destruction but also the resilience and innovation of communities finding new ways to live in a more volatile landscape.
Exhibition Details
- Title: When Mountains Slide
- Location: Alpine Museum of Switzerland, Bern
- Dates: October 18, 2024 – Mid-April 2026
- Focus: Personal stories from the canton of Glarus on the impact of climate change.
Accompanying Program and Visitor Engagement
To deepen the conversation, the Alpine Museum has organized a series of events to run alongside the exhibition. These sessions are designed to provide further context and encourage public dialogue.
The supporting program includes several notable speakers:
- A resident from the village of Brienz will share a firsthand account of what it is like to live in a designated "danger zone."
- Cultural historian Werner Bellwald, who lost his own museum of daily life in the Blatten rockslide, will discuss the role that culture and heritage can play in helping a community rebuild and find a new beginning.
In addition to the talks, the museum will host a writing workshop. This interactive session invites visitors to reflect on the exhibition's themes and provides a space for them to articulate their own thoughts, experiences, and emotions related to environmental change.
These events aim to transform the exhibition from a passive viewing experience into an active forum for discussion and reflection on one of the most critical issues facing Switzerland today.