Animal Enjoyment at Ballenberg

Observe, listen, marvel, and lend a hand: At Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, this season is set to delight anyone with a passion for animals. The annual theme 'Ballenberg – richly diverse' takes guests on a journey through the museum grounds, where it buzzes, chirps, moos, grunts, and clucks in the gardens and fields among the historic buildings. Those wishing to linger longer can make themselves comfortable in the hide near Wyssensee – right in the nature reserve next to an amphibian breeding pond, where the gentle chirping of tiny swamp crickets can be heard. Thanks to cameras, visitors can observe bats and other nocturnal creatures.

A discovery trail offers more 'aha' moments and practical tips on how everyone can promote biodiversity right at their doorstep. On Biodiversity Day, May 23, 2026, experts will be at Ballenberg to guide guests around the site, engage in personal conversations, and work together with adults and children to build a birdhouse – a day dedicated to vibrant diversity in a unique cultural landscape.

**The Female Perspective of Agriculture** In the International UN Year of Women Farmers, a special exhibition is presented in the farmhouse from Ostermundigen: 'Women in Agriculture: Past – Present – Future' invites visitors to discover the female perspective of Swiss agriculture. Guests can test their knowledge playfully in a quiz: Is it true that half of the women who work in Swiss agriculture receive no wage? Yes, that is indeed the case today – just one of many surprising facts. Pioneering women share stories of how they had to run farms during the war years and wore trousers for the first time in their lives. Women in training to become farmers, experienced farm managers, and farmers who now look after water buffalo and chickens, cheese making and baking bread, vegetables, and vineyards also share their stories. Those who catch the enthusiasm for nature and animals can take an aptitude test to see if a career in agriculture might be suitable. Even the youngest can discover wonderful things here: picture books about farms, animal and farmhouse pictures to colour, a memory game, and a special snakes and ladders game. The multimedia special exhibition was curated by the Agricultural Information Service LID, conceived and realised in collaboration with the Swiss Farmers’ and Countrywomen’s Association SBLV and the Open-Air Museum Ballenberg.

**Roof Thatching** Visitors to Ballenberg this summer have the opportunity to experience a rare craft first-hand: the farmhouse from Oberentfelden is getting a new straw-reed roof, and the ridge on the day labourer's house from Leutwil needs renewing and damaged areas repairing. In Switzerland, there is now only one expert, Andreas Bergamini from Lausen, who masters this traditional roofing technique. To allow visitors to view his work from more than just the ground, a small viewing platform is being built beside the buildings.

**Observe, Participate, Influence** How can complex and extensive knowledge be shared in a museum setting? This season, in the farmhouse from Adelboden, guests are part of a research project by the Open-Air Museum and Lucerne University. Various mixed reality applications are being tested twice weekly under supervision. For example, the oven in the living room tells visitors about the time when the house served as a youth hostel, aided by a tablet. Or they can converse with the entire house, which, thanks to a chatbot, can answer individual questions. This playful access is based on a thesis on the history of the residents. Guests can provide feedback on their experiences, which will be directly incorporated into further development.

This summer (July 1 to August 15), the Ballenberg Landscape Theatre, directed by Simon Burkhalter, will present the play 'Akte Zybach', telling the story of Switzerland’s first major insurance fraud. Actors Daniel Bill and Reto Stalder play the leading roles.

Of course, popular events like the craft market (June 20/21), the medicinal herb days (July 4/5), and the autumn market (September 12/13) will also take place again. Those who wish to be proactive can find a wide range in Ballenberg courses: from weaving, pottery, and blacksmithing to log cabin building, mowing, and smoking.

**The Essentials at a Glance** Ballenberg Open-Air Museum is open daily from April 9 to November 1, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Entry costs 32 Swiss francs for adults, children aged 6 to 16 pay 16 francs, and children under 6 can enter the museum free of charge. Ballenberg Open-Air Museum is included in the Swiss Museum Pass, and the visit is also free for Raiffeisen MemberPlus.

In addition to the annual theme and novelties, Ballenberg Open-Air Museum offers a diverse range throughout the season. The heart and soul remain the more than 100 historic buildings combined with thematic exhibitions, the 30 traditional crafts, the 200 farm animals, numerous interactive activities, guided tours, and events such as storytelling Sundays and medicinal herb Sundays.

**Press Contact:**
Martin Michel
Managing Director Ballenberg
Open-Air Museum of Switzerland
Museumsstrasse 100
CH-3858 Hofstetten bei Brienz
+41 33 952 10 30
martin.michel@ballenberg.ch
ballenberg.ch

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher. Image rights: Ballenberg - Freilichtmuseum der Schweiz