When the Stage comes to you
We at KULTUR AM BETTRAND (culture at the bedside) create cultural experiences for people of all ages who, due to health reasons, cannot enjoy the beauty and healing qualities of music and word in a public setting. We bring the arts to the bedside, offering private, meaningful moments at home or in health facilities to those who would otherwise have to go without - completely free of charge.
Whether music from various genres, poetry, literature or storytelling, whether for the very young or the very old, our catalog of professional cultural artists is carefully curated and offers inspiring experiences for everyone.
You can contact us yourself or leave this to a family member, friend or someone who represents you. Below are answers to some questions that may come up. Here you'll find our contact details, phone availability and other helpful resources. For everything else, we can be reached quickly via the contact form. We will get back to you shortly by phone or e-mail.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Warm regards,
Shirley Grimes
Founder and Curator
What we do
Answers to some of the questions you might have....
Cultural creators
Vincent Brunel
Vincent Brunel ist leidenschaftlicher Geigenspieler. Er jongliert mit klassischer, Jazz- und traditioneller Musik und teilt mit dem Publikum die Melodien, die er auf seinen Reisen und Abenteuern gesammelt hat. Mehr als nur ein Instrument ist die Geige für ihn eine Brücke zwischen Kulturen und Emotionen – sie trägt seine Gefühle weiter, von Bachs Musik über irische Jigs bis hin zu traditionellen Tänzen aus der Auvergne und Skandinavien. Er tritt alleine oder im Duo mit Akkordeon oder Cello auf.
desdëa
desdëa ist das Herzensprojekt der klassisch ausgebildeten Violinistinnen Andrina Däppen und Zoë Gordon. Verwurzelt in der Südostschweiz und der Romandie verbinden sie gesungene Folk/Pop Songs in fünf Sprachen mit klassischen Instrumentalstücken aus verschiedenen Epochen. In ihrem intimen Setting entsteht eine berührende Mehrstimmigkeit voller Fantasie und Experimentierfreude.
Walter Däpp
Walter Däpp, a long-time journalist and author of the radio series 'Morgegschichte,' tells Bernese German short stories that encourage pausing, breathing, reflecting, and smiling—tales about the everyday and the unspeakable, the old and the new, the foreign and the familiar, and the little things that make life worthwhile. Gentle. Poetic. With a wink.
Öttu Wenger
Since his childhood, he has been captivated by the Bernese chansons of Mani Matter, the Bernese troubadours, the trouvères, and many others. He has an impressive repertoire of chansons and other songs, especially in Bernese German. He also loves harmony singing, and if desired, he could even sing together with you.
William White
The performances of William White, who grew up in Barbados, are bursting with energy. He is a talented songwriter and singer, placing equal importance on the messages in his songs as he does on strong melodies and driving grooves. William White's music reflects his Caribbean roots and is described as a blend of soul, funk, and reggae.
Culture for children and teenagers
Brigitte Hirsig
Brigitte Hirsig tells fairy tales, improvises stories, and creates captivating soundscapes with her voice and words. Laughter, tears, and wonder fill the air. Accompanying her is the Bean Dwarf, a little fellow who loves listening to stories and guards a bag of magical beans, each containing a fairy tale. Would you like to pick one and have it told to you?
Gabriela Bonetti
Gabriela Bonetti invites you to dive into the world of fairy tales with her and forget space and time. Small creative surprises and beautiful music accompany a deep experience of fairy tales, stories and poetry.
Melanie Oesch
In 2016, the resident of the Bernese Oberland published her first children's book, "Elin the Tree Elf Girl," followed by the second volume, "Elin Meets New Friends," in 2018. The stories are set in the forests of the Eriz Valley, Melanie's place of power, and are influenced by her childhood memories and vivid imagination. At KULTUR AM BETTRAND, the nature-loving mother of two takes listeners on an adventure with the lively tree elf girl, enchanting both big and small children with her fairy-tale world.
Sibylle Baumann
Sibylle Baumann tells stories for young audiences in a magical, playful and passionate way.
For over 20 years, she has been fascinating audiences with her spontaneity, wit and stories that have never been heard before. No Little Red Riding Hood and co., nothing is read from a script – everything is created in the moment, in dialogue with the children. Every performance is unique. Authentic. Surprising. And guaranteed not to be boring.
Cyrano
Magician Cyrano knows how to make children's eyes light up. His magic tricks are astonishing, age-appropriate, and, above all, very funny. The children are actively involved in the performance and help bring the magic to life – with hocus-pocus, a magic wand, and snail slime!
Hannes vo Wald
Hannes vo Wald has been making a living from magic and animation for over 30 years.
His gift is his presence and his humour. He draws on intuition from the “now moment” to create his magic. He shares the NOW with people, whether at their bedside or as a volunteer end-of-life companion.
Miriflu Engeler
She loves to take people away from everyday life. Into the world of fairy tales, myths, and newly born stories every day. She tells them freely, making them come alive in the space, in our minds. They carry you far away and right to yourself. And in the end, there remains this feeling: Somehow, it will all be okay!
Teenage Songbook
Finja and Sophie have known each other since preschool. After years apart, they reunite as teenagers, begin singing together and harmonize perfectly from the start. Along with Wolfgang Zwiauer (instrumentation), they create chamber versions of today’s pop culture hits, from Billie Eilish to Rihanna, Adele, and Ed Sheeran.
Dinosaurierforscher Archibald
In 2016, the resident of the Bernese Oberland published her first children's book, "Elin the Tree Elf Girl," followed by the second volume, "Elin Meets New Friends," in 2018. The stories are set in the forests of the Eriz Valley, Melanie's place of power, and are influenced by her childhood memories and vivid imagination. At KULTUR AM BETTRAND, the nature-loving mother of two takes listeners on an adventure with the lively tree elf girl, enchanting both big and small children with her fairy-tale world.
Jacqueline Bernard
Jacqueline Bernards' Bernese children's songs are fresh, cheeky, and cheerful. The songs capture the interests of children aged three to eleven, covering themes like favorite dinosaurs and lost "nushis," fun holidays by the sea, boring afternoons at home, and dreams of flying. All of this is wrapped up in catchy melodies, chansons, and pop songs with a hint of jazz and rock 'n' roll.
Sarah Bowman
As a mother of two school-age children, Sarah is used to singing children's songs. Although English is her native language, she speaks German. She sings and plays songs from around the world in many different languages and music styles. She looks forward to learning your child's favorite song to create an even more personal experience.
Trummer
The Bernese Oberland songwriter Trummer has been performing his own dialect songs for years, sensitively narrating everyday life. Since becoming a father, he has expanded his repertoire to include children's songs. He has reinterpreted standards from Swiss children's music, given new life to pieces by Mani Matter, and occasionally includes his own songs, like the love story of the little bird from Adelboden. He visits with his voice, guitar, and harmonica.
KULTUR AM BETTRAND
Team
Founder and Curator
I am part of Kultur am Bettrand because I believe that we need each other, especially when life presents challenges.
Administration
I am part of Kultur am Bettrand because… we all love and need music, don’t we?
Artwork & Webmaster
I am part of Kultur am Bettrand because… I know what it means to no longer be able to attend events. No one should have to forgo culture!
KULTUR AM BETTRAND
Vorstand
Theologian and Counsellor
Ursula Wyss
I am a part of Kultur am Bettrand because...I personally have witnessed how incarcerated people in the high-security unit can be moved by music, and how a KaB concert becomes an incredibly special experience.
Therapist and vocational school teacher
Susanne Amacher
I am a part of Kultur am Bettrand because...
this project is both sensory and meaningful
Music Geragogue
Heidi Schmocker
I am a part of Kultur am Bettrand because...
This project enriches the lives of people in difficult situations and offers Artists an additional, meaningful way to engage with people.
Musician & composer
Brigitte Hirsig
I am part of Kultur am Bettrand because… I know that a story or a song is a way to travel — without leaving the room.
Member of the management board for Euresearch
Dr. Sibylla Martinelli
I am a part of Kultur am Bettrand because...
I am totally convinced of the power of this project