Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Heidi archives put on UNESCO ‘Memory of the World Register’

Heidi Ausgabe koreanisch
Detail of the cover of an early Korean copy of Heidi. Heidi-Archiv

The Johanna Spyri and Heidi archives in Zurich have been inscribed on the “International Memory of the World Register” of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

This decision is a recognition of the archives’ global importance, according to a press releaseExternal link by the University of Zurich, which led the application for inclusion. The university said it “intends to promote the scientific study of these collections”.

Heidi, the little mountain girl created by author Johanna Spyri, has been part of Switzerland’s cultural heritage for more than a century, and has left a mark on art and popular culture around the world. Two collections in Zurich are dedicated to her: the Johanna Spyri Archive, managed by the Swiss Institute for Youth and Media (ISJM), associated with the University of Zurich; and the Heidi Heritage Project (Heidiseum), where the University of Zurich is responsible for the scientific side.

The two archives include valuable original documents of the author, including unpublished manuscripts, letters and illustrations of the Heidi novels.

The Johanna Spyri Archive has been collected since 1968 by the Johanna Spyri Foundation, which is also responsible for the ISJM. It is the world’s most comprehensive collection of the Zurich author’s works, according to the press release.

In addition to Spyri’s literary work, it contains over 1,000 manuscripts, photos, original illustrations, records, numerous foreign language editions of Heidi, scientific works about the author, and objects that belonged to her. The Johanna Spyri archives are kept in the library of the ISJM in Zurich, which is open to the public.

UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme was established in 1992 to promote the protection of documentary heritage. Its main objectives are to ensure free access to important documents, preserve documentary heritage and raise awareness of the importance of heritage.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Mixed results for Swiss Black Friday

More

Mixed results for Swiss Black Friday

This content was published on Swiss Black Friday revenues failed to live up to retail expectations. But sales throughout the week proved more successful.

Read more: Mixed results for Swiss Black Friday
Swiss e-ID on the brink of parliamentary approval

More

Swiss e-ID on the brink of parliamentary approval

This content was published on Swiss citizens could have access to an e-ID from 2026 as parliament has agreed to the idea in principle despite still having to iron out some minor issues.

Read more: Swiss e-ID on the brink of parliamentary approval
Solar energy covers eleven percent of Switzerland's electricity needs

More

Solar energy covers 11% of Switzerland’s electricity needs

This content was published on Solar power covers eleven percent of the electricity demand in Switzerland. The industry's turnover for the current year is around CHF 3.7 billion, as shown by the first ever publication of the Swiss Solar Monitor.

Read more: Solar energy covers 11% of Switzerland’s electricity needs

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR