Heidi archives put on UNESCO ‘Memory of the World Register’
Detail of the cover of an early Korean copy of Heidi.
Heidi-Archiv
The Johanna Spyri and Heidi archives in Zurich have been inscribed on the “International Memory of the World Register” of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/jc
Italiano
it
Gli archivi di Heidi sono stati inseriti nel Registro della Memoria del Mondo dell’UNESCO
This decision is a recognition of the archives’ global importance, according to a press releaseExternal link by the University of Zurich, which led the application for inclusion. The university said it “intends to promote the scientific study of these collections”.
Heidi, the little mountain girl created by author Johanna Spyri, has been part of Switzerland’s cultural heritage for more than a century, and has left a mark on art and popular culture around the world. Two collections in Zurich are dedicated to her: the Johanna Spyri Archive, managed by the Swiss Institute for Youth and Media (ISJM), associated with the University of Zurich; and the Heidi Heritage Project (Heidiseum), where the University of Zurich is responsible for the scientific side.
The two archives include valuable original documents of the author, including unpublished manuscripts, letters and illustrations of the Heidi novels.
The Johanna Spyri Archive has been collected since 1968 by the Johanna Spyri Foundation, which is also responsible for the ISJM. It is the world’s most comprehensive collection of the Zurich author’s works, according to the press release.
In addition to Spyri’s literary work, it contains over 1,000 manuscripts, photos, original illustrations, records, numerous foreign language editions of Heidi, scientific works about the author, and objects that belonged to her. The Johanna Spyri archives are kept in the library of the ISJM in Zurich, which is open to the public.
UNESCO’s Memory of the World programme was established in 1992 to promote the protection of documentary heritage. Its main objectives are to ensure free access to important documents, preserve documentary heritage and raise awareness of the importance of heritage.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Spread of Japanese beetle leads to lawn-watering bans in Basel
This content was published on
Basel City authorities have extended an infestation zone with strict guidelines to a good third of the canton’s territory, they said on Friday.
Bad weather forces closure of many Swiss hiking trails
This content was published on
Around 620 hiking trails in Switzerland are still closed due to the bad weather this summer, with the canton of Valais particularly hard hit, Swiss public radio, RTS, reports.
This content was published on
The two cities have beaten Zurich and Bern onto the shortlist to host the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2025, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) said on Friday.
This content was published on
While construction expenditure in Switzerland rose by 0.3% in nominal terms last year, the price-adjusted situation shows a 2.5% decrease, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Another body found in southern Switzerland after June storms
This content was published on
A body was found in the Maggia river in the southern Swiss canton of Ticino on Thursday, police said. It is “likely” to be the sixth victim of devastating storms which hit the region at the end of June.
Swiss helicopter rescue pioneers safe autopilot approach system
This content was published on
Swiss air rescue company Rega has received approval for a new kind of instrument flight system for approaching a hospital.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
On location with Heidi’s Japanese (grand)fathers
This content was published on
We tag along with the creators of the 1970s Japanese Heidi cartoon as they revisit their source of inspiration in the Swiss mountains.
This content was published on
Heidi, that supernaturally joyful and optimistic Swiss icon, is back where she belongs: in cinemas. But does the world really need another film?
This content was published on
Johanna Spyri’s heart-warming story was based on the real-life adventures of Heidi Schwaller, 92, who grew up near Chur in the Swiss Alps. swissinfo tracked down Heidi to find out what became of the legend. Fresh from the birthday party of one of her fellow residents in the luxurious retirement home of Ruhetal, Schwaller sips…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.