Erschmatt – a Rye Museum?

Erschmatt 1938 © Klopfenstein

Background

The association Erlebniswelt Roggen Erschmatt (Erschmatt Rye Experience) contributes to Swiss natural and cultural heritage related to rye and maintains biological diversity in the Botanic Reserve and in the agricultural terraces of the Zälg sector of Erschmatt. The Reserve’s collection of over 1,000 recorded varieties is recognized by the canton of Valais as part of the canton's cultural heritage. For centuries, rye was the most important bread grain for the Valais mountain population to be self-sufficient. Although this subsistence economy is now a thing of the past, baking rye bread in a community oven is still a tradition in many Valais villages. The evidence for this continuing cultural tradition can be found in the landscape, in its settlements, in equipment and tools.

Rye in Valais – more than just a grain

The cantonal cultural department aims to systematically develop and document this natural and cultural heritage, to collect, preserve and showcase the material evidence of rye cultivation and the production of rye bread in a museum. The longer-term goal is to set up a museum.

On the way to a museum of cantonal significance

Our association currently has the opportunity to submit an application to the Cantonal authorities for support. It must be submitted in September 2024 so that a decision can be made on official expenditure for the four-year period from 2025 to 2028. A project team from the association has the task of putting together this application.

For this reason, we have hired a specialist from the museum sector to work in this team on a mandated basis for four months: Ann-Outram Mott. She offers us technical ideas as well as conceptual contributions to an innovative, decentralized museum and is editing the project dossier.

This part-time post is limited in time. A long-term engagement is possible, if this makes sense for both parties.

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