Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

First female shocks traditionally male gnome world

Fritz Friedmann poses with one of his prized (male) garden gnomes. www.domain.ch

The usually peaceful world of the garden gnome has been shattered by news that a manufacturer has produced the world's first female gnome.

The International Association for the Protection of the Garden Gnome, based in the Swiss city of Basel, has condemned a move by the German company, Griebel, to produce a female version of the traditionally male garden ornament.

Fritz Friedmann, president of the association, says the company has broken international gnome conventions which govern the production and sale of the tiny figures.

“Reinhard Griebel has begun to produce this female and they have received a very strong letter to stop this production,” an enraged Friedmann told swissinfo.

“Griebel said he was asked by his male gnomes to produce a female gnome, but we don’t think this is true,” he added darkly.

Single-sex species

But why all the fuss over the apparently trivial matter of garden gnome production?

The association says gnomes are – and have always been – a single-sex species: convention dictates that there is simply no such thing as a female gnome.

In a collective gesture of defiance against the rogue trader in female gnomes, association members voted last week to levy a fine of €75 (SFr100) on Griebel.

The manufacturer tried to calm the frayed nerves of gnome collectors by paying up, but vowed to continue production of its female figures.

“It may be good for their business, but [in terms of] science I cannot say yes to a female gnome,” Friedmann says.

“Gnomes have been in possession of the gene technology for thousands of years and they don’t need female gnomes. They are always friendly, always polite… but they are only males,” the octogenarian president elaborates.

Science says no

Sexual equality in the gnome world, it would seem, is not just wishful thinking but biologically impossible.

“It’s very fair. It is nature which doesn’t allow for female gnomes. Throughout the world and throughout history a gnome has always been a man.”

Estimates suggest there are in the region of 15 million male gnomes across Europe, a large proportion of which are to be found in Germany and Switzerland.

Friedmann believes the enduring popularity of the common garden gnome stems from the fact that, unlike its counterparts from the twin worlds of fairy tale and myth, the solitary garden dweller has no connection with superstition.

The terracotta gnome, Friedmann explains, is purely a decorative ornament.

“Even if you are not nice to your garden gnome, nothing bad will happen to you.”

As long as you don’t buy a female to keep it company.

by Ramsey Zarifeh

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR