You will not find any of the « Visite de la vieille dame » author's familiar objects here. And yet Friedrich Dürrenmatt's presence is everywhere. The author's pictorial works, for example; a passion of his that was just as strong as his love of writing, but less known to the public. Real « battlefields » as he called them, which are strong expressions of his questions. Works inspired by expressionism, the reflection of his literary creation, the tragedy of the world mixed with comedy and the grotesque. A big collage created in one night, a collection of drawings, sketches and photographs fixed to the wall.

The Dürrenmatt Centre is far from being a mausoleum. The building is connected to the author's former house through the help of architect Mario Botta's creative genius, producing an almost monastic feel to it. However, it has a few surprises in store, among them the « toilet room,» respectfully baptized « The Sistine Chapel » because of its colourful fresco covering the walls. This place is alive, and its mission is to collect and preserve the artist's works, showcasing them to researchers and the general public with lectures and organized conferences all year long. Discover it for yourself, the soft and luminous beauty of the valley « Vallon de l'Ermitage», which set the frame for the author's most creative period.

Information and contact: www.cdn.ch
Photo: CCA