Forging Ideas in the Güterschuppen

There is a tidy atmosphere in the baggage reclaim area. Normally, the bright room in the former goods shed at Glarus railway station hosts art exhibitions. But today, on a Saturday afternoon in March, around 30 committed people are meeting to discuss innovative ideas and projects that aim to strengthen social cohesion in the region. Some of those present already know each other. Two men greet each other warmly. One says to the other: 'You help out at every event!'

Today’s event is an ideas workshop entitled ‘Project Space’. These support activities were launched by Migros Culture Percentage. Since the pilot phase in autumn 2023, Migros Culture Percentage has been organising and supporting eight to ten project spaces per year throughout Switzerland, hoping to connect people who are committed to their city, neighbourhood or village. Ideas that promote coexistence are discussed, scrutinised and developed together. 'Especially in these times, where there is a growing threat of polarisation, such projects are important,' says Sandro Hodel, Head of Topic and Projects Social Affairs at the Federation of Migros Cooperatives Social Affairs and Culture Department’. ‘They are the glue that holds society together.’

In the ‘baggage claim area’ ('Gepäckausgabe'), all participants are now wearing large name tags around their necks. Their colour indicates who is taking part and in what role: project makers, recognisable by the blue signs, have brought their project idea with them to receive new input. Co-thinkers contribute their perspectives, ideas, experience and their network. 'Anyone and everyone can take part', says Sandro Hodel. 'The project space thrives on the different backgrounds, experiences and skills that the participants bring with them.'

After a short get-to-know-you session, the first round of thinking begins. Three project organisers present their ideas in short three-minute presentations. This is followed by discussions in groups. The guidelines that moderators Daniela Preti and Flavia Fries set for the co-thinkers are simple: ‘Be positive, creative and supportive. Don’t judge the project as good or bad, but keep the focus on the issues that are important to the creators.’

The project ideas are diverse and innovative: one team wants to open up the historic Hänggiturm tower in Ennenda, which also houses the Anna Göldi Museum, as a cultural and meeting place for everyone. But the rooms don’t fill themselves and the rent has to be financed. The organisers are hoping for new food for thought. Which offers are suitable? What kind of collaborations are viable?

The project ‘We are Glarus’ aims to create a community which collects, discusses and addresses current issues relevant to the region. The centrepiece is a digital platform on which anyone can enter a topic and use a coordination tool to gauge interest in it. But which formats and locations should be used to deal with the topics afterwards? How can young people be reached? The makers ask these questions in their round.

‘Creavolution’ is about intergenerational coexistence. The two creators, Andreas Ulrich and Markus Cotti, have founded an association whose members come from different age groups and are united by the goal of living together in solidarity. They are discussing the establishment of such a community in a large house in Nuolen, Canton of Schwyz, they say. However, other solutions are also conceivable. 

What does it take for people of different generations to form a community? That is the question around which the discussion in this group revolves. The co-thinkers point out stumbling blocks, provide ideas and possible contacts. Common rooms, joint courses, childcare and homework help for pupils are just some of the ideas that end up stuck to the wall on coloured Post-It notes. 

The two creators receive several tips on similar, already existing communities. And one co-thinker emphasises how important it is for such projects to have a driving force – someone who moves the project forward and sets an example. In the end, the project managers have taken an important step forward. Andreas Ulrich says: 'A few things have become clearer to us: we need a sponsor; the concept and premises have to fit together; and the focus changes over the years because people move on to other phases of their lives.' And Markus Cotti thanks the group for the many good ideas. 'Together, different age groups can create something that is not possible for an individual,' he says.

The discussions continue well into the well-earned break. But after coffee and cake, the next three projects are already waiting for ideas: ‘Diwan – Culture for New Perspectives’ is an event that takes place in Glarus in September and deals with migration issues and conflict resolution. The organisers want to work out which participatory elements and which partnerships they can use to make their event as attractive as possible for the people of Glarus.

The next project deals with the inner courtyards in the squares of houses that were created during the reconstruction of the town of Glarus after the great fire of 1861. Residents used to meet in these courtyards to fetch water from the well. Today, many courtyards serve merely as car parks. The discussion group will explore the potential of such courtyards in Glarus and how they can be designed as attractive neighbourhood spaces.

Finally, Eva-Maria Kreis and Werner Kälin from the Hössli Haus association pose the question of what a meeting place for the queer community in Glarus could look like. 'The need for this is huge', says Eva-Maria Kreis. The association is organising the first Glarus Pride in July, including a queer city tour and a drag show. On the other hand, it is preparing the purchase of the house where Heinrich Hössli was born. Hössli was a hat maker, cloth merchant and writer from Glarus. He wrote the first important defence of homosexuality almost 200 years ago and is regarded as an – almost forgotten – champion of same-sex love.

A lively discussion also ensues in this group. It revolves around how to create a place where queer people feel protected and safe, but which is still open to everyone. The big question: how important is the purchase of the Hössli house for the project? Many ideas and inputs come together here, too. Essentially, the figure of Heinrich Hössli and his birthplace offer an opportunity to tell the story and concerns of the queer community to a broad audience. Eva-Maria Kreis and Werner Kälin are satisfied: 'We have received a lot of ideas, and the panel has confirmed the importance of the building for our project', they say.  

The afternoon draws to a close in the blink of an eye. Six local projects have taken a big step forward, and the organisers have made new contacts and perhaps even gained new comrades-in-arms. Within a few hours, it seems, a sense of community has developed in the project space. One participant concludes by saying that she would like the group to stay in contact: 'There is a spirit here to make a difference.'

Pictures: Anna-Tina Eberhard