Werner Zulliger (79) has a smoke break in his room
A hundred years ago, a retirement home for farm workers was set up in Oeschberg near Koppigen (in canton Bern). After decades of labouring on local farms, they were able to spend their last years in familiar surroundings and among friends.
Photographer Andreas Reeg captured the special atmosphere at Oeschberg, where the residents still work the farm, but for themselves. The photographs are reproduced from "Knechte und Mägde. Das Dienstbotenheim Oeschberg" (Farm workers. The Oeschberg workers' home), which was published this year by Benteli-Verlag, Bern.
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Werner Zulliger (79) bundles the firewood...
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... while friends keep everything in good repair
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The men take turns to milk the cows...
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... while Vreni Gurtner (66) and Rosemarie Kuhn (57) make sure the clothes are clean
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Hans Bönzli (75) has more time to enjoy music...
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... but for Hans Hügli (98) there's no rest until his scythe is razor sharp
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Alfred Hirschi (76) and Berta bring home the hay
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Time seems to have stood still
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Sunday lunch is washed down with red wine
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Fritz Zimmermann (90) likes an afternoon nap
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