Historian demands demolition of the Bundeshaus
« Turn off the Bundeshaus! »: Historian makes provocative demands
The Bundeshaus is said to be identity -creating, it represents all cantons, the speech areas, career boards, Swiss artists and many myths. The big absentments are still the women. It is built by men for men, says historian Fabienne Amlinger.
24 tons of masculinity. Who does not know them, the three Confederates made of limestone, which, according to legend, sealed the founding of the Confederation with the Rütlischwur: Werner Stauffacher, Walter Fürst and Arnold von Melchtal dominate the entrance hall of the Bundeshaus. Framed on a base, they form the backdrop for many photos. Freshly elected federal councilors with their families, visitor groups, foreign state guests: they all be photographed in front of the three Confederates. And no daily news contribution to federal politics does not require them. The three Confederates shape our picture of the Bundeshaus – and politics.
Judith Stamm, the former CVP politician and fighter for equality, would have liked to hang up a flower garland to these three Confederates to convert the intimidating atmosphere in the entrance hall into a friendly one. The plan failed because it would have needed a ladder. Stamm moved to the National Council in 1983. In the memories of her first day in the Bundeshaus, she told three Confederates in the memories of her first day, which almost killed.
The Bundeshaus as a manifesto of a womenless time
Fabienne Amlinger, historian at the University of Bern, spoke to many of the politicians. And she says almost all of them have spoken about the effect and character of the parliamentary building without being asked. Society cannot be understood without a view of the rooms in which women are or who are excluded, says Amlinger. For them, the Bundeshaus remains a manifesto from a womanless time. The women fought for access in 1971, but the parliament building continues to write the male narrative.
« Let’s off the Bundeshaus! » Says Fabienne Amlinger. Of course: This is a utopia and the historian adds that she likes the Bundeshaus. The green gold dome, which is clearly visible from a distance. But the building also triggers anxiety for her. She thinks it is out of the question because it does not depict the diversity of our society in any way.
The women’s toilet was like a cleaning room
The Bundeshaus has been researched many times, especially from a cultural -historical perspective. The eventful history of the three-egg-owned cults-they were not yet there at the inauguration of the Bundeshaus in 1902-was illuminated down to the last detail.
Amlinger is the first researcher to look at the Bundeshaus through the gender glasses. The conclusion is sobering: « The Bundeshaus was built by men for men. »
This can be seen in practical things like the toilets. For 15 years, the politicians, who first moved into the Bundeshaus in 1971, had to be content with a single toilet. Which, according to the then CVP national councilor Rosmarie Dormann, was more like a cleaning room than a toilet. And even today, the Federal Office of Buildings and Logistics stated last year, there are still too few women’s toilets throughout the Bundeshaus.
Three Confederates, Landsknechte and Women, who serve wine
The male embossing is also evident in the design of the parliamentary building. The three Confederates are guarded by four imposing lansquenets; in bronze life size, armed with lance, halbera and a sword. A picture of a country community is emblazoned in the Council of States – the function of women is limited to feeding wine. «What does this country community have to do with today’s Switzerland? As a historian, I find this understanding of history problematic, »says Amlinger. In front of this backdrop, equality issues would then be treated such as parental leave or punitive standards against sexism. Amlinger does not want to speak of an imposition, but the incomprehension is noticeable. « This mural would be better off in the state museum. »
If you look closely, you can also find women in the Bundeshaus – conspicuously often as angelic beings. But the only woman known as well -known woman is the stauf subject. As Wilhelm Tell – it monitors the National Council Hall. She is considered the idea of the Rütlischwurs, while her husband went to act. And so Amlinger states, the stauf specialist ultimately stands for this traditional image of women, which legitimized the exclusion of women from politics for so long. Namely, that women can influence even without political rights.
1971 almost inexistent
In 1971 the women got voting rights. This fundamental change in Switzerland’s political order is hardly reflected in the Bundeshaus. « The importance of change, which was carried out with the introduction of the right to vote, crashed into the stone walls, » Amlinger writes about Switzerland’s political pioneers in her book « Unheard ». In the Council of States, badges with golden yearings are hanging, which show important constitutional data such as the foundation of the state (1848), the Pfaffenbrief (1370) or the Sempacher letter (1393). The number in 1999 was added to the millennium – it stands for the total revision of the Federal Constitution. It was not until 20 years later that the year 1971 received its entrance to the Council of States.
The Bundeshaus should be identity. It is also interesting that it was thought of many Swiss virtues during construction. Amlinger lists: « Thirty rocks from all state areas were used for the construction, various professionals have been depicted, all cantons and parts of the country are represented, several dozen Swiss artists were able to immortalize themselves. » Only the female population was transferred: « The architectural landmark of politics is characterized by the absence of women, » says Amlinger. With its almost museum character, the parliament building preserves memories and evidence of a time in which women had little to say – especially not in politics.
Alliance F wants to change that. With an art competition for women’s art in the Bundeshaus – and corresponding parliamentary advances. Because politics is also about visibility. Women have to get space. Art of artists is not a revolution that would be the demolition of the Bundeshaus. But a fairly Swiss approach.
,,