‘Repair café’ breathes new life into old things
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First you sign in and show them what needs fixing. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Then you get a number for the appropriate repair station. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
A hairdryer gets the once-over. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Teamwork is a must, also when fixing a ceramic mug. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
The helpers are unpaid volunteers who freely share their expertise. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
It's a new look for a doll getting her eyes replaced. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Michael Beckmann is the president of the Repair Café’s Bern branch. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Restringing a necklace takes beady eyes and steady hands. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
There are plenty of homemade snacks to enjoy while awaiting your turn. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Some lucky doll is getting a new dress. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
An old VCR is coaxed back to life. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
It’s bustling in the so-called Turnhalle, Bern’s old gymnasium. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Smartphones get a new lease on life with freshly repaired cases, displays and innards. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
A DJ helps everybody get into the groove. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
With a new strap and buckle, this bicycle helmet will be ready to hit the road again. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Could an old set of handlebars be reincarnated? Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch -
Successful upcycling: Thanks to the talented pensioner, the lady has a cool new coat rack. Ester Unterfinger/swissinfo.ch
Whether it’s a one-eyed teddy bear, a jammed zipper or a broken toaster, you can have it fixed – for free – at one of Switzerland’s ‘Repair Cafés’.
This content was published on March 5, 2016 - 11:00
- Deutsch Das Repair Café haucht alten Sachen neues Leben ein
- Español Un nuevo aliento para objetos desahuciados
- Português "Café dos Consertos" dá vida para as coisas velhas
- 中文 旧物修理点
- Français Comment ressusciter nos objets quotidiens
- عربي حياة جديدة لأغراض كانت ستؤول إلى سلة المهملات
- Pусский Repair Café или новая жизнь старых вещей
- 日本語 壊れたものが生まれ変わる「修理カフェ」
- Italiano Come risuscitare oggetti buoni per la spazzatura
On regularly scheduled dates all over the country, volunteers of all ages donate their time, tools and expertise to repairing electronics, clothing, toys, and other household items. Many are retired and appreciate the chance to share their skills in a lively and sociable atmosphere.
Indeed, the demand for their services is quite high. It’s first-come, first-served, so it pays to arrive early. And while there’s no charge for the money-saving repair service, tips are certainly appreciated. Sometimes it’s even possible to “upcycle” old objects – creating something new and unique out of what might have gone to waste.
Sponsored by KonsumentenschutzExternal link, a Swiss consumer protection foundation, the Repair Café workers make a note of commonly occurring defects and report them to the manufacturers. swissinfo.ch visited a Repair Café in Bern – where all sorts of defective goods were being rejuvenated.
(Photos by Ester Unterfinger, text by Susan Misicka)
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