Zurich museums conquer the night
Museums in Zurich are staying open all night this weekend to underline that they are much more than just buildings where exhibitions are held. They are promoting themselves as places to go for a unique cultural experience.
From 2100 on Saturday to 0600 on Sunday, 27 museums in Switzerland’s biggest city will remain open and put on a variety of events to woo visitors.
The “nocturnal potpourri”, as the organisers describe it, takes in museums as varied as the botanical gardens, the National museum (on Swiss history), and the House of Constructivist and Concrete Art.
Zurich’s most important museums are also joining in, including the Kunsthaus fine arts museum, the Rietberg, and the Bellerive.
It is the first time the “Long night of the museums” is being held, and a special SFr20 ($11.50) ticket will give visitors access to all 27 museums, as well as public transport.
Throughout the night, each museum will put on additional attractions. The toy museum and the museum of North American Native Culture, for example, will have story-tellers on the spot to help while away the hours.
Music will feature prominently at many other institutions. The Rietberg has invited musicians from Africa, Iran, India, while visitors to the Kunsthaus will dance to the tunes of the German DJ, Thomas Fehlmann.
Zurich’s 44 museums attract about 1.5 million visitors annually.
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