Brienz - "Mecca of fine craftsmanship"

Jungfrau Zeitung, Madeline Zilch, April 9, 2019

This weekend, the European Days of Crafts took place for the first time in German-speaking Switzerland. The craftsmen opened their doors to interested people for two days. How did it go? Three workshops draw conclusions.

Extracts

"The profession is a physical and mental work that fascinates me", rejoices Beat Schild. He’s a goldsmith. The jewels symbolize an important story for him. Beat incorporates various natural materials such as wood, stone or meteorites into the ring. A job that also fascinates his two sons. At the open house, the three work together on different rings. “It is time for Brienz to participate in the European Days of Crafts. Brienz is a little mecca for craftsmanship,” says Beat. That’s right, because in this community of around 3,000 people you’ll find luthiers, ceramists, sculptors, shoemakers, goldsmiths and the Ballenberg training center which offers a number of courses in arts and crafts.

The European Days of Crafts and Crafts have existed for 20 years. This year, they took place for the first time in German-speaking Switzerland. In Romandie, this event has existed for a few years. Artisans open their doors on these days and present their work to those who are interested. In Brienz, 17 workshops and galleries took part in the weekend. The event was initiated by Philipp Kuntze, who has been running the Ballenberg Training Center since the beginning of the year. “You have to bring the public into the workshops and show them what it looks like, what ideas and what opportunities arise. So that designers and architects will use the work of craftsmen in the future,” says Kuntze.

https://www.jungfrauzeitung.ch/artikel/172832/