9 Bernese highlights in October

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the first Megamarsch Bern: You either assume it will lead you to an early grave or you feel revitalised by it. This event on 5 October requires you to walk 50 kilometres, including 450 metres in altitude, within twelve hours. The route starts in the UNESCO-listed old town and then leads through the outer neighbourhoods, followed by a stretch in the countryside. And is there a better place than the Bundesplatz (Parliament Square) to end this event? If you’ve finished the walk, you will get a medal and you will officially be admitted to the event’s Hall of Fame. With all this information, maybe we’ve even tempted the «early grave» crew to participate?

The days are getting shorter and colder – not ideal conditions for migratory birds. That is why many bird species are heading south in the coming weeks. If you would like to observe the diverse birdlife in the canton of Bern before all of them leave, you can do so at Bremgarten cemetery, among other places. A family of green woodpeckers as well as a whole flock of redstarts live there. Then there’s the Gantrisch Nature Park, which also home to an extraordinary number of different migratory birds. The World Migratory Bird Day on 5 and 6 October offers a varied programme of bird watching with professional equipment and guided family excursions in the Gurnigel. And who knows, maybe you’re lucky and you’ll even spot a rare osprey.

Colloquially, dying is sometimes referred to as «lights out». From 19 to 23 October, you can experience the exact opposite on Bundesplatz (Parliament Square). At 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., you can lose yourself in the light spectacle Rendez-vous Bundesplatz free of charge. Birds also play a leading role here: This year, the show is titled «Volare», and true to its name, it takes the spectators on a journey through the world of Bern’s native birds. For 30 minutes, the Bundeshaus (Parliament Building) will be transformed into a rocky cave, a research biotope and a concert hall, amongst other things. The beautiful bird spectacle is accompanied by music ranging from Pink Panther to Beethoven and Bob Marley.

Being forced to leave your home and having to settle in a new country? Refugee’s lives are turned upside down from one day to another. They not only have to learn a new language and adapt to a new culture, but also get accustomed to a new cuisine. To turn the tables, the UN refugee organisation Switzerland for UNHCR, in collaboration with the Mazay association, is organising the festival «Taste of Home». During the week of the World Food Day (which is on 16 October), refugees will take charge of the kitchen and showcase their culinary skills in participating restaurants so you can experience the culinary traditions from Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia and many more countries. Participating restaurants include the Heitere Fahne and the Pusterum.

From 19 to 27 October, everything in the city of Bern will focus on the finite nature of our lives and how to shape them with dignity. The multi-day festival «endlich menschlich» addresses the concern that a respectful and humane death cannot be taken for granted, the question of how we can work towards achieving one, and much more. The event’s goal is to remove the taboo from dying, death and mourning while also celebrating life. The festival programme is extremely varied: a free city tour about the end of life, insights into different religious practices around death, mourning cafés and discussions with palliative care specialists. The city festival reminds us to celebrate life and to make sure its end is dignified.

If a person does not die suddenly, their loved ones get the chance to say goodbye. A privilege, but at the same time a difficult situation. How can you say goodbye forever? What kind of feelings arise in that situation? How are people in the same situation dealing with it? These and many more questions can be asked at the Räuber:innenrunde (circle of outlaws) at Heitere Fahne. During the inclusive storytelling session on 22 and 23 October, people with and without disabilities will have the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings on the ultimate goodbye. These kinds of conversations are hard, and a bit of humour and laughter can go a long way. That is why clown Marcel Briand will be joining the group and interacting respectfully with the participants.

Last March, with a heavy heart, the people of Bern had to bid farewell to their favourite pop-up club Maison. But this will cheer you up: you did not have to say goodbye for long, because Maison has been resurrected. And this time, it is here to stay. The grand reopening party will take place on 4 October in the former Düdü (Club Du Théâtre). Some things stayed the same, such as the cosy interior made up of a mix of designer furniture and pieces from the flea market. However, some things are new: you can enjoy a drink at the cocktail bar during the week, dance the night away in the club on the weekend, and enjoy a delicious (hangover) breakfast in the brunch café. A winning combination, in our opinion.

Is there a connection between Marco Streller, the former player in the Swiss national team, and the federal city of Bern? Yes, as of a few weeks ago. Within a very short span of time, a padel facility with two individual courts was built in the east of Bern. Padel first became popular in Central and South America, and then the enthusiasm for this sport spread like wildfire across the globe. And just like that, a new sport trend was born. The game is played in singles or doubles. The players are inside a type of cage during the rallies. The walls of the cage can be used to direct the ball. The game is very reminiscent of squash or tennis. The only difference: the rackets look different, and the balls have less pressure. Oh, and you don’t need lessons – even beginners will quickly figure out how to navigate the courts. Those are the perfect conditions for a laid-back evening with friends or a Sunday afternoon with the family.

Life or death, there is nothing in between. Or is there? The ghouls and ghosts in the alleyways of Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town are neither. On our guided city tour «Spooky Bern» we will track them and their histories down. The 90-minute tour begins when the shadows grow longer and the alleyways slowly empty. Dark secrets will be revealed, and the stories of restless souls will teach visitors the meaning of fear. This tour is based on the narratives of three authors. We also offer a slightly shorter, adapted but equally gripping afternoon tour for our smaller spookiness fans. So, put on your coat and hat and off you go on your ghost hunt.