The open space around the controversial centre attracts people from all walks of life
Keystone
A popular culture venue and arts centre in the Swiss capital, Bern, has closed its doors following a series of violent incidents over the past few months.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch and agencies
The organisers on Saturday announced the Reitschule centre would remain closed until further notice because it could no longer tolerate the situation which often escalates at weekends and at night, including clashes with police.
The organisers said they were tired of bearing the brunt and taking the blame for social problems arising from a mistaken drugs, security and asylum policy of the city authorities.
The Reitschule was occupied by squatters in the 1980s. Rightwing political parties have repeatedly called for the centre to be shut down. They argue it is a hotbed of leftwing militants and troublemakers.
They have collected enough signatures to force another local vote on the issue but no date has been set.
The centre, which was used for horse riding and as a stable in the early 20th century, is a popular venue for a wide range of cultural events and activities.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Police injured in clash at cultural centre
This content was published on
Police patrols of the area “to prevent crime and provide security” around the Reitschule sparked protests on Friday, which escalated on Saturday night. Stones, bottles and fireworks were thrown at police, some from the roof of the building. Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Garbage bins and barriers were set on fire, blocking…
This content was published on
On September 26, voters in the Swiss capital will vote on the future of the city-owned autonomous youth centre for the fifth time in 23 years. As trains pull into Bern station, passengers can’t miss the Reitschule – more commonly known as the Reithalle – just a few metres across the road. Covered in graffiti,…
This content was published on
Voters on Sunday rejected an initiative by the local section of the rightwing Swiss People’s Party calling for the Reitschule to be sold to the highest bidder. The initiative was rejected by 68.4 per cent of those who voted. Bern mayor Alexander Tschäppät, a member of the centre-left Social Democratic Party, said he was “more…
This content was published on
The report, which was carried out by a business research unit in Basel, immediately aroused a great deal of consternation in the Swiss capital, with the tourist office coming in for a hefty broadside from the city’s Bund newspaper. The paper accused tourist officials of failing to exploit Bern’s potential as a “trendy” place to…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.