10 Bern highlights in February

For a nice cup of coffee, we usually frequent the charming cafés in the “Breitsch” (Breitenrain neighbourhood). For dancing the night away, we go to the different night clubs in Bern’s old town. For a dose of culture, we visit one of the museums in the Kirchenfeld neighbourhood. And that’s absolutely fine – but why not be a bit more adventurous and try something new this February? The Tour de Lorraine is the perfect start. For its 25^th anniversary, the ten-day event focuses on the theme “Reclaim Technology”, with different workshops, art exhibitions and encounters. And a fun, colourful programme in different locations awaits for the closing night on 1 February: dance, eat pumpkin soup, listen to concerts, meet new people, and enjoy!

From top lyrical performances by seasoned slam poets to appearances by newcomers: everyone gets their time in the spotlight at the legendary Berner Altstadt-Slam event at Ono. The cultural venue, located in one of Bern’s famous vaulted cellars, hosts a so-called open-list poetry slam every month. Anyone who enjoys playing with words, telling stories or commenting on current world events can participate. So why not take the next poetry slam on 3 February as an opportunity to write and recite your own text and maybe discover a new passion? If you’re not quite ready for the stage yet, that’s okay too – a seat in the audience is just as entertaining, inspiring, and possibly surprising.

Do you like surprises? Then you’ll love the concept of the Klangheimlich concert series: on the second Thursday of every month – in February it will be on the 13^th – the association Musik Blind Dates invites you to the Kinemathek Lichtspiel in the Marzili neighbourhood for a musical experience. And that’s all the information you’re getting. Who will be on stage that evening remains a secret until the concert begins. There are surprise musicians from a large variety of genres, from jazz to pop to folk to classical music and more. In the unlikely event that the music doesn’t suit your taste, you can take a look around the venue instead – it is a museum for artifacts from the history of cinema. Lots to hear and see here!

In Europe, too, 14 February is increasingly becoming the day of heart-shaped decorations, red roses and love letters. To make sure Valentine’s Day isn’t just for lovebirds, we’ve compiled a list of solo activities and experiences in Bern. Because there’s also plenty to do and discover for those who have just moved here and don’t yet have the biggest social circle or for people who are here on a business trip. There’s something on the list for every taste, from cultural events and restaurant recommendations to relaxed excursions in the Bernese countryside. Will you dare to go to a dance class or for a “Fübi” (after-work beer) alone? Muster the courage and you’ll be rewarded with new experiences and friendships. After all: nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say!

At least 50,000 – that’s how many people had been affected by compulsory welfare measures in the canton of Bern by the 1970s. The lives of children, adolescents and adults changed forever as they were forced to endure placement in foster families, child labour and other repressive measures. Thanks in part to the 2011 Swiss film “Der Verdingbub” (“The Foster Boy”), the topic was given more attention nationwide and the voices of those affected were finally heard. The Bernisches Historisches Museum’s latest exhibition, “Forgotten by Fortune. Compulsory Welfare Measures in Bern and Switzerland” which opens on 20 February, sheds a light on this dark chapter in Swiss history. Discover up close the stories and fates of five victims of the system in this thought-provoking exhibition.

Even the biggest gelato fans will have to admit that the current temperatures aren’t exactly ideal for ice cream, even if it’s one of Gelateria di Berna’s many delicious and surprising flavours. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t visit the highly popular ice cream parlour in the Mattenhof neighbourhood. It is currently hosting the «Lismete» pop-up where, from Wednesday to Saturday until 28 February, you can meet up and knit with fellow knitting enthusiasts. A pair of wool socks or a new beanie are the perfect seasonal accessory (or rather, necessity) and wearing them is even more fun when you’ve made them yourself! Visitors can look forward not only to the meditative activity with needle and yarn, but also to exchanging expertise, a cosy place to hang out, and support for those who are new to knitting.

February is also the month of the winter sports holidays. If you don’t feel comfortable on the slopes, there are plenty of other things you can do in Bern. Head over to the Westside, for example, to discover the Adventure Dome: the large games centre is the latest addition to the shopping mall slash cinema slash indoor water park. It offers fun for the entire family with everything from donut sliders to climbing frames to a laser tag arena to bumper cars to a toddlers’ play area. Or maybe you’d like to immerse yourself in a virtual reality? The iWall and the Valoarena offer adventurous excursions into other worlds.

After all that indoor action at the Westside, you might be in the mood for an outdoor activity in a romantic, snow-covered winter wonderland. Luckily, the Bern region offers a wide range of options. If cross-country skiing is too wobbly for you and you find that a simple walk through the winter landscape isn’t exciting enough, we recommend a snowshoe hike. Bern has a variety of snowshoe trails for all levels. For snowshoe beginners and those looking for breathtaking views, we recommend the Selibühl Panoramatrail: the ascent through the forests of the nature park is quickly followed by a 360-degree panoramic view of the Gantrisch range, the Jura and, with a bit of luck, the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau mountain triumvirate. Round off the winter adventure with a visit to the cosy Berggasthaus Selibühl for a hot chocolate or a traditional fondue.

You’re not sure if you’d enjoy snowshoeing? Maybe a day at the spa would suit you better? Or perhaps a tasty fondue in a cosy chalet in the mountains? Aah, so many options! Luckily, this year’s Winter Game will help you determine your winter type and make choosing easier. Simply answer the eight questions and you’ll be recommended the winter activities that suit your type as well as participate in the big prize draw. With a bit of luck, you can win an overnight stay for two including a three-course dinner at the Romantikhotel Bären in Dürrenroth. It offers experiences for every winter type, be it a gourmet dinner, a relaxing spa for some pampering, or diverse snow tours. But hurry up, you only have until the end of February!

Whether we’ve spent the day skiing in the Alps, sledding on the Bantiger or cross-country skiing in the Bernese Oberland, there’s one thing we look forward in particular when heading back to our cosy homes: hearty, home-cooked food. Bern’s traditional cuisine with its “Suure Mocke” (type of pot roast), “Bärner Platte” (meat platter) and characteristic Rösti offers just that! We recommend trying one of the famous specialities for “Znacht” (dinner) instead of the classic cheese fondue. You can now make them yourself with the recipes we’ve gathered from top Bernese chefs. If you aren’t a huge fan of cooking but still want to try Bern’s traditional dishes, we’ve provided a list of restaurants that have them on the menu. By the way: the recipes also include a “Bettmümpfeli” (little treat before going to bed) or two for those of you with a sweet tooth.