"I was simply nobody" - care and coercion in Switzerland

In order to combat poverty and ensure social order, the authorities in Switzerland ordered welfare measures for many decades. Children and adolescents were often separated from their families without a court order, placed in out-of-home care and forced to work as "Verdingkinder". Adults who did not conform to social norms were placed in work education institutions or psychiatric clinics.

The exhibition "I was simply nobody" highlights the tension between care and coercion, gives those affected a voice and awakens empathy for people who were - and still are - on the margins of society. It takes a critical look at the past and present and asks: When does care become coercion? When is coercion legitimate? How can abuse of power and injustice be prevented?

In three mobile houses on the Wettsteinanlage, the topics are examined from different perspectives. We will hear the personal stories of those affected in the first house. A second house is dedicated to those responsible and the problems they face, where video interviews provide an insight into the current framework conditions. All of us - the public, the media and politicians - are also part of the exhibition and are included in the debate in the third house. The mobile exhibition is supported by the Federal Office of Justice's educational program Remembering for Tomorrow. After the opening in Riehen, the exhibition will tour other locations in German-speaking Switzerland.

As a local partner and host, the MUKS takes a look at the biographies of people who suffered great injustice and sheds light on the traces of compulsory welfare measures in Riehen. As in many Swiss communities, this chapter has not yet been dealt with properly. Who were the victims, who was responsible, which institutions were involved? The MUKS sets out in search of traces in Riehen with the aim of gradually filling in the gaps in the village history that has been written so far.

A participatory project accompanies the exhibition and supports those interested in researching their own history. In the storytelling café, those affected, contemporary witnesses and interested parties can exchange ideas and share their experiences. In the history workshop, experts provide support with personal research.

Exhibition in public space with participation project. The exhibition is aimed at a wide audience - from the general public to schools and groups - and is supervised throughout.

THE PARTICIPATION PROJECT

STORYTELLING CAFÉ / WED, MAY 20, 2026, 6 PM:
At the storytelling café, interested and affected people can exchange views on the topic of care and coercion and tell their stories. Telling is voluntary, listening is compulsory! The storytelling café will be moderated.
Location: MUKS Museum Kultur & Spiel, 4125 Riehen
Costs: Museum admission, with registration

HISTORY WORKSHOP
Do you know stories of care and coercion in your family or circle of friends? Were you a victim yourself? Or are you simply interested in how your community dealt with care and coercion?
In the history workshop, experts will support you in researching stories of care and coercion. Three joint exchange meetings are held for this purpose. Individual support is also available to participants.


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.