Press release Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum Course Centre Ballenberg Hofstetten, 4 May 2020

Ballenberg Open-Air Museum opens on 19 May 2020 Concepts for the protection of visitors and employees are being developed, course centre Ballenberg opens on 11 May 2020

Those responsible at the Open-Air Museum Ballenberg were delighted when the gave the go-ahead for the Open-Air Museum's new season following the Federal Council's announcement on Wednesday 29th April 2020 that the corona measures would be relaxed. The 2020 Ballenberg season will thus begin on Tuesday, 19th May 2020. The preparatory work suspended in mid-March has been resumed and the necessary protection and service concepts are currently being drawn up.

From 11th May 2020, museums all over are to reopen their doors. As the Open-Air Museum Ballenberg is unique in the country and has a park-like structure, those responsible have decided to first discuss an early opening with the Canton of Berne. The clarifications of the canton have now shown that nothing stands in the way of an early start to the season. "We are naturally very pleased with this decision", says Peter Flück, Chairman of the Foundation Board. "Since the clarifications have taken a little more time and we first have to restart operations and work out the necessary concepts, however, it is not realistic to open on the first possible date of 11th May 2020."

Season opening before Ascension Day planned

The preparatory work for the start of the 2020 season was completely stopped in mid-March and the museum had to announce short-time work for numerous employees. Work is now being resumed: The Ballenberg-management has set Tuesday, 19th May 2020 as the opening date. "This will give us enough time to continue working on the necessary protection concepts and to adapt our museum's range of exhibits to the new conditions," explains managing director Martin Michel. "The protection of our employees, partners and guests is our top priority. We will do our homework so that we can offer an adapted but attractive range of services from 19th May." Over the next few days, the Swiss Open-Air museum will be communicating in detail how the museum's offer for the 2020 season will be presented and what measures are necessary to ensure the protection of employees and guests.

Courses at the Course Centre start on 11th May

The Federal Council's adapted protective measures also have a positive effect on the Ballenberg Course Centre: from Monday, 11th May 2020, handicraft courses may be held again. Although the courses will not yet start in "normal operation", only four participants per course plus course leader will be allowed. As many of the craft courses are held in small groups anyway, it has been decided to offer the courses booked again. However, this also means that a small group surcharge of up to 15% applies to the courses. "Even though the conditions are difficult, we are happy that things are finally moving forward again", says Philipp Kuntze, managing director of the course centre. The past few weeks without income have put the institution in a

Ballenberg, Freilichtmuseum der Schweiz Museumsstrasse 100, CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Kurszentrum Ballenberg Museumsstrasse 96, CH-3858 2

difficult situation. With the resumption of course operations, however, a piece of normality is returning: "We can finally continue our commitment to the promotion and mediation of the immaterial cultural heritage of craftsmanship", says Kuntze.

Press contact: Peter Flück, Chairman of the Foundation Board Mobile: +41 79 208 28 12 E-Mail: [email protected]

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Ballenberg, Freilichtmuseum der Schweiz Museumsstrasse 100, CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz Kurszentrum Ballenberg Museumsstrasse 96, CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz