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The picture shows a market stall at an open-air market where two vendors are selling handmade ceramic products. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, with a focus on traditional craftsmanship. The display is varied and colourful.

Gotthelf-Märit in Sumiswald

A market like waaay back in the day: once a year, centuries-old crafts and traditions are brought back to life in Sumiswald.
14June 2025
Past event
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The historic Gotthelf-Märit (Gotthelf Market) draws countless visitors to Sumiswald near Bern each summer. On the second Saturday in June, the idyllic town in the Emmental takes them on a journey to the past, to the time of Jeremias Gotthelf. The famous Swiss writer lived in the Bernese countryside at the beginning of the 19th century and described the challenging life of local farmers in his socially critical novels.

The picture shows a scene from a traditional craft market. Two older men are working with tools on wooden objects. The man on the left is debarking a branch, while the man on the right is working on a piece of wood with a hammer. Other people can be seen in the background chatting or looking at the exhibition. There is a wooden structure, possibly a cart, and several wooden benches and chairs. The event takes place outdoors, in front of a building with the sign "Blumen Rüegg".
© Gotthelf-Märit

At the Gotthelf-Märit, old traditional crafts are brought back to life at over 160 stands. Hay threshers, bookbinders, schnapps distillers, lace makers and wood turners create an atmospheric folk festival and take Sumiswald and its guests back to times gone by. Tasty regional specialities and folk music performances make the visit a feast for the taste buds and the ears, too. The Gotthelf-Märit takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tip for fans of a good “Zmorge” (breakfast): Make sure to arrive in Sumiswald before 10 a.m. to enjoy a tasty Gotthelf Zmorge in the tent.

The craftspeople and even many of the visitors dress like they did in the times of Gotthelf, making the market an authentic and almost immersive experience.

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Auf dem Bild spazieren zwei Frauen lächelnd an Marktständen vorbei, die unter freiem Himmel in einer Strasse mit historischem Flair aufgebaut sind. Die Szene ist belebt und wirkt einladend.

Regional products and a large portion of cosiness

Bern’s farmer’s markets