For centuries, Switzerland has been a country of emigration. Many people fled poverty; some were seeking adventure or business opportunities, still others were coerced into leaving their home or worked as missionaires or NGO’s.
Around 11% of Swiss citizens (around 800 000) live abroad today. This group is also referred to as ‘the fifth Switzerland’. They become a much more visible community especially in the lead-up to voting in any referenda. Most of them live in Europe.
The Auslandschweizer-Organisation (ASO)/ Organisation des Suisses de l’étranger (OSE) represents their interests vis-à-vis the Swiss authorities and parliament (see also: www.swisscommunity.org).
The exhibition (Leaving Switserland. Emigration stories after 1848) explores the day-to-day realities of emigrant life, the success stories of the few, and the ordinary life of the many. The Guggenheims, for example, emigrated to the USA in the 19th century and became one of the richest families in the country or the brothers Samuel and Johann Berger, who emigrated to Russia in 1874 and became successful cheesemakers. The history of the hoteliers, pastrycooks and confectioners from Graubünden is relatively well known.
The exhibition gives a good insight into the motives and facts of the emigration from 1848 onwards.