For the third time now, Bern is experiencing autumn months packed with cultural highlights. Under the motto „Cosmos, Universe, Space, Time“, we immerse ourselves in exhibitions, live performances, city tours with that certain something, experience culinary highlights – and let ourselves be seduced by the city and its charm. There is no fixed program – everyone puts together their own personal cultural festival. The whole variety of cultural fireworks can be found at www.bern.com/de/kulturherbst.

„Heitere Fahne“ – what’s happening here?

The restaurant and cultural center at the foot of the Gurten – yes, that’s right, Bern’s local mountain with one of the most famous festivals – has long since become a Bernese cultural institution. With their commitment to inclusion at all levels, they offer a colorful mix of theater performances, dance performances, live acts, discos, readings and much more… In autumn/winter 23, for example, the bands Le Lex, Uusikuu from Finland, Heidi Happy and the choir Eïla can be heard in the pretty rooms. Other highlights include the „10 years of Heitere Fahne“ festival with an inclusive disco, a tango event with la „Gran Milonga Clandestina“ and the Zellerweihnacht. All performances and events are traditionally „served“ with culinary delights.

Franz Gertsch – a great artist

Do you love large-format works? Then the Franz Gertsch Museum in Burgdorf is the insider tip par excellence. Gertsch is still regarded as one of the most important representatives of photorealism of the 1960s and 1970s. With his monumental works measuring up to 4×6 meters, he has established a firm place for himself in contemporary painting. His works can be admired in such renowned museums as the Kunstmuseum Bern, the Aargauer Kunsthaus, the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich, the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin… and in „his“ museum in Burgdorf. The paintings and woodcuts exude a peculiar fascination, which is further enhanced thanks to the purist spatial concept. Let yourself be enchanted by Franz Gertsch’s world on a personal guided tour.

Bern and its „Zytglogge“

One of the city’s most important landmarks is very easy to find. The Zytglogge tower is where people gather just before the hour strikes and put their heads on their necks. They all want to hear the cockcrow, watch the bear parade, follow the jester and Chronos, the god of time. A sequence of sounds and movements that are repeated in the same rhythm every hour, year in, year out. A look behind the scenes reveals the secret of this fascinating spectacle. Anyone who takes a guided tour of the impressive clockwork dating back to 1530 will be amazed at the ingenious interplay of the individual components. It ensures that the bellows „inflate“ at the right time and then cause the cock to crow when the air is expelled, or that Chronos moves his lips appropriately to count the hours. If you still have the breath to climb the 130 steps to the top of the tower, you will be rewarded with a magnificent view over the rooftops of the old town and – weather permitting – as far as the Bernese Alps.

Craftsmanship at its finest

In Wasen in the tranquil Emmental valley, a very special themed trail beckons: 8 craft businesses welcome visits from groups or individual hikers. Do you know how a real Schwyzerörgeli is made? The Reist family has been practising this rare craft for almost 60 years and has been making the instruments in its own workshop since 1986. Look over the craftsmen’s shoulders or take a guided tour to find out the secrets behind the traditional Swiss Örgeli. Are you more interested in paper? Then a visit to the paper-cutting artist Vreni Aebi is just the thing. During a guided tour, you will learn all about the history and the many design possibilities of paper cutting. Or are you in the mood for traditional costume tailoring, cheese-making, saddlery, watchmaking, an event museum or culinary delights? The artisan trail satisfies every craving.

„Beer is a truly divine medicine“

The Bernese beer sommeliers and beer sommelières on the Bern Beer Tour confirm what Paracelsus already knew in the 16th century. Top-fermented, bottom-fermented? From the glass or the bottle? IPA, sour ale? Lager or pilsner? The professionals are happy to provide information on all things „beery“. And, of course, there will also be tastings in selected breweries and beer bars in Bern’s old town. Cheers!

Always follow the „Spychern“

The Gantrisch Nature Park – located in the Bern-Freiburg-Thun triangle – has signposted a very special themed trail. Over a distance of around seven kilometers from Lanzenhäusern to Schwarzenburg, the hike leads past historic granary buildings (Spycher) that are still in use today. Aha-experiences are guaranteed on this leisurely family excursion.