In so-called ethnographic museums, material objects are used to study and communicate ways of life and cultural contexts. The acquisition and presentation of these ethnographic objects and the knowledge gained from them are inextricably linked to European colonialism and have long been pursued only from a Eurocentric perspective. This determines whose stories are told and how – and indeed whose are not.

What role can ethnographic museums and collections play in a post-migrant society? What are the arguments for or against preserving them? How can we facilitate cooperation, participation and restitution – particularly when incorporating non-European perspectives and in dialogue with countries that were once colonised? After all, the confrontation with the colonial legacy that shapes the museums as institutions and is stored in their facilities in large quantities, is not solely a Western European concern. The question as to whether these museums have a future and what should be done with their collections concerns us all.

An evening at the museum – Greenland

In conversation with experts and with audience participation, this series of events seeks to develop new and multi-faceted perspectives on the colonial legacy of the Greenland collection. The subject matter discussed, and the insight gained from the events will be fed back into the exhibition “Greenland ahoy! Perspectives on a colonial legacy”. As a consequence, it will be in a constant state of flux and will allow us to gather a new understanding and reappraise how Switzerland views Greenland today.

The exhibition “Greenland ahoy! Perspectives on a colonial legacy” will open its doors from 5 pm. (Admission is included in the ticket price.)
The bar will be open from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Admission fee: CHF 16/person
Friends of the Museum, students, OAP/disabled, holders of a KulturLegi and persons with refugee status (N, S and F permits) can avail of a 50% discount. Raiffeisen, Swiss Museum Pass, Kultur-GA, “Bern Museum Card 24h”, “Bern Museum Card 48h” and “Swiss Travel Pass” will not be valid.

Sign up

You can sign up for the event here. Drop-in guests are also welcome, as long as there's space.

Greenland x Greenland 
With your ticket, you can also explore the exhibition “Greenland. Everything will change” at the ALPS Swiss Alpine Museum for free!