Community Gardens in SwitzerlandBy Fida Wild "May I ask you something?" The man sitting opposite of me was reluctant to ask the question. Seemingly, he didn't feel comfortable to inquire. The train took us from Zürich to Bern, and between blocks of flats and factories at the periphery of Zürich, he saw something that truly puzzled him. "Are these…um…some kind of ghettos?" Looking at these plots on a rainy, grey spring day, his question was no surprise. Winter had left its marks; bare soil, lose sheets of plastic flapped in the wind, little shacks and leafless shrubs gave an untidy picture - a far cry from the summer lush- and tidiness - these plots could easily be mistaken for something like Switzerland's shanty towns.  The "Schrebergarten" tradition has much to do with the industrialization beginning in the 19th century, when people relocated from the countryside to the city. The result was a lack in housing and food. The name "Schreber-Garten" goes back to Dr Ernst Hauschild, a German principal, who provided playgrounds for children of factory workers that lived in ghettos. Hauschild honoured Dr. Moritz Schreber, a physician from Leipzig, Germany, by naming the association after him. According to Dr Schreber, physical training in nature was the key to good health. The Schreber-Association soon became a synonym for "Kleingärtnerverände" (small garden associations) all over Europe.  The "Schrebergarten" became even more important for city folks during World War I and II, providing much needed food that wasn't available in stores. Community gardening lives on. And it sure can be a fun place for families to be creative, bring 'home grown' food to the table, and hang out after a busy day or on a sunny weekend. Kids plant their own plots and learn that food doesn't grow in the Migros (Swiss chain store).  It is not easy to find a free one. The average age of renters is around 60 - families and younger folks, who really are in need of a bit of land for obvious reasons, don't really have a chance. More than not, if anyone can get one of these little plots, they tend to hang on to it - if they don't get thrown out for trespassing the rules and regulations (it can easily happen).  These little green "paradises" are a little like a regulated Mini-Switzerland (or Mini-Germany and -Austria). Restrictions strangle the the creativity. The plot has to be maintained and cared for in a certain way; the space used for vegetables, lawn and flowers is legally established as well as how big the garden shed can be, times you are allowed to barbecue and listen to music. It is not always allowed to spend the night in those - often lavishly decorated - garden sheds. It's a small world. And that often affects people's behaviour. Neighbours keep an eye on each other and heavily police what could be an oasis. It's a much-cherished pastime to make sure that rules are precisely met, or else... Garden Eden or a biotope for garden-gnomes? Would You Like to Leave
|
Search this Site |
Are You looking for something specific? Just type a word or phrase into the google search box below and off you go!
Keep in Touch |
What's New? |
Check out the most resent articles:
- Three Edgy Spots in New York City
Sex? Lesbians? Graffiti? These NYC museums and galleries show art shunned by mainstream culture.
by Javier Simon - The enchanting Italian Inn of Dorothy Volpe del Prete
Be transported into another world in the Demora del Prete di Belmonte - an enchanting Italian Inn in the beautiful countryside of Southern Italy
Interview by Fida Wild - A Ghana Travel Guide
Ghana is a small nation governed by a constitutional democracy that’s located on the West Atlantic coast.
By Sudha Ramaswamy - Walking the Camino de Santiago
An Interview with Rheal Rochon
Interview by Fida Wild - Travel in Kerala on a Budget
Although travel in Kerala can be quite expensive, Mark shares a few tips on how to save money.
by Mark Adams - Bustling into Brussels, Belgium
Sudha Ramaswarmy vividly describes her impressions on a recent short city break in Brussels.
Free Coupons, even for Travel! |
