Exhibition Emil Brunner: BERG KIND WELT in Braunwald

30 years after his death, the comprehensive photographic oeuvre of Emil Brunner (1908-1995) is being made accessible for the first time in its entirety in his home canton of Glarus. The exhibition ‘BERG KIND WELT,’ curated by the Glarus photographer Fridolin Walcher and realised in collaboration with the BSINTI Kultur association and the Fotostiftung Schweiz, will be held on the Braunwald sun terrace from 20 June to 18 October 2026.

Opening of the exhibition ‘Emil Brunner ‘BERG KIND WELT’ Saturday, 20 June 2026

from 13 – 17 hrs at BSINTI, in the stables and the former schoolhouse

The result is a large-scale, ‘hikeable’ exhibition that combines Brunner’s photographic work and the Braunwald landscape in a special way. It comprises various experience zones: In the BSINTI exhibition space for alpine photography, image documents from Brunner’s oeuvre as a travelling photojournalist and mountaineer are presented, while 30 stations along the walking trails with touching portraits of children provide an insight into the everyday lives of children in 1943/44. The experience is complemented by image and sound stations in six stables, which invite visitors to immerse themselves in the social reality of mountain families. The former schoolhouse in Braunwald opens its doors and becomes a space for participation, enabling the exchange between generations.

Photographs from the archives of the Museum of the Canton of Glarus and the Swiss Foundation for Photography

In the BSINTI exhibition space for alpine photography, impressive, partly unknown image documents from Brunner’s international oeuvre as a photojournalist and mountaineer are presented from the archives of the Museum of the Canton of Glarus and the Swiss Foundation for Photography.

Touching portraits of children in the meadows

Along the walking trails through Braunwald, visitors will encounter over 60 striking portraits of children from the years 1943/44. The photographs provide a touching insight into the everyday life of mountain children at the time.

Image and sound stations in old pasture barns

A special part of the exhibition is being created in collaboration with the Braunwald farming families: Several barns are being temporarily converted into exhibition spaces. There, image and sound stations invite visitors to immerse themselves in the social reality of mountain families in the 1940s.

A vacant school building is being revitalised: Children of today become part of the exhibition

The children’s portraits and voices from the past encourage an exchange between children, parents and grandparents. In the school building, a hands-on space is being created where children can have their photos taken and are invited to share their thoughts and opinions on the everyday lives of children today. In this way, they become part of the exhibition themselves. A kaleidoscope of the lives of children today in the mountains and in the city will be created from the contributions collected.

The children’s portraits and voices from the past encourage an exchange between children, parents and grandparents. In the school building, a hands-on space is being created where children can have their photos taken and are invited to share their thoughts and opinions on the everyday lives of children today. In this way, they become part of the exhibition themselves. A kaleidoscope of the lives of children today in the mountains and in the city will be created from the contributions collected.

Events ‘BERG KIND WELT’

Opening programme

Saturday, 20 June 2026, 13:00-17:00, official opening at 16:00 at BSINTI in BSINTI, in various stables and in the school building in Braunwald with a surprising programme for the whole family.

Exhibition in BSINTI during opening hours, Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00

Photographs from Emil Brunner’s life as a travelling photojournalist and passionate mountaineer will be on display. Vintage prints from the archives of the Museum of the Canton of Glarus and the Swiss Foundation for Photography will be on show.

‘Outdoor exhibition’ along the walking trails

More than 60 touching portraits of mountain children from the years 1943/44 tell the story of the everyday lives of children at that time.

Image and sound stations in the pasture stables (always accessible) (jederzeit zugänglich)

Six old stables will feature image and sound stations that invite visitors to delve into the lives of mountain families from the past.

A slightly different artist talk with Emil Brunner’s neighbour’s son Fridli

An evening full of memories & stories with curator Fridolin Walcher Friday, 17 July 2026, 20:00, BSINTI

Scenic walks with actor Gian Rupf

A treasure trove of faces and stories about Emil Brunner’s portraits of children 29 & 31 July, 10:00-12:00 during the fairy-tale week and 11 & 12 August, 19:00-21:00

«‘20x20 faces and stories’

Five people with a connection to Braunwald talk about their own life stories and relate them to the experiences of the mountain children of the time. Moderation: Gian Rupf Friday, 31 July 2026, 8 p.m., BSINTI

Public guided tours

On a guided hike on foot, we learn a great deal about the life and work of Emil Brunner 8 July, 2 p.m. / 21 August, 2 p.m. / 20 September, 10 a.m.

Interactive space in the former school building

The portraits of the children and the voices of the past spark conversations between children, parents and grandparents. The contributions form a kaleidoscope of the lives of children today in the mountains and in the city.