29.08.2023UZH Welcomes Chilean Ambassador to Kawésqar Cultural Exhibition in Zurich

Chilean Ambassador to Switzerland, Frank Tressler, and a delegation of the Kawésqar people attended the Official Ceremony of the "Ko Aswál – The Next Day" exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum of UZH.

The exhibition provides unique insights in the indigenous Kawésqar people’s unique connection with nature, viewing plants and animals as relatives rather than as resources only. For over 6,000 years, they have lived in Patagonia in Southern Chile harmoniously, nurturing their environment through their profound kinship with the natural world. The exhibition also uncovers a somber history linking the Kawésqar and Zurich. In 1881, 11 Kawésqar were taken to Zurich for ethnographic shows; tragically, five perished due to harsh conditions and illness. 

During the ceremony, Elisabeth Stark, UZH Vice President Research, underscored the significance of the intercultural collaboration between the Pueblo Kawésqar Foundation, the Chilean Embassy, and UZH to promote cultural understanding. Set against the backdrop of the Ethnographic Museum, the ceremony garnered a significant audience. Notably, both María Celsa Nuño García, the Ambassador of Spain, and Patrick Wittmann, the Canadian Ambassador to Switzerland, honored the event with their presence.

As part of the exhibition, workshops and talks are open to the public, offering an opportunity to engage with the Kawésqar community and learn about their rich heritage. 

Various Swiss news articles have been published on the exhibition, including: 

NZZ, 21 July 2023
SRF 2 Kultur Radio
Tagesschau SRF TV, 28 July 2023 
Tagesschau RSI TV, 28 July 23 
 

Anne Nuria Boekhout