Ex­ter­nal­ly pla­ced

State intervention in the lives of people who did not conform to social norms was also common in Switzerland. However, so-called "compulsory welfare measures" affected not only adults, but also tens of thousands of children and young people until the 1980s. They were taken away from their parents or other caregivers and placed in institutions and foster or adoptive families. Many of them experienced violence and abuse, had to work hard and received only a poor education. In the video installation, those affected tell their personal stories of how they experienced this time, how it continues to have an impact and why they share their experiences today.

About the format
Not all of the developments in the recent past that have shaped Switzerland can be represented in all their complexity with objects. The "Swiss Experiences" format therefore focuses on contemporary witnesses. Their fates and experiences allow the museum audience a multifaceted look back at Swiss contemporary history. The theme changes every year. The format does not require any objects and consists of a large-format and immersive projection with sound via headphones as well as an in-depth station with information on the latest research results and the cultural-historical context of the respective topic.