Swiss Literary Archives, Memory institution in Kirchenfeld district, Bern, Switzerland.
The Archives preserve handwritten works, letters, diaries, and audiovisual materials from Swiss writers across all four national languages. The collections span primarily the 20th century and document the literary output of multiple generations.
The institution was founded in 1991 after Friedrich Dürrenmatt donated his extensive collection to the Swiss Confederation in 1989. This generous gift became the core of the Archives and established it as an important center for Swiss literary research.
The collection represents writers from all language regions of Switzerland, showing how literary creation flourishes across the country's different cultures. Visitors can observe how these works reflect the diverse identity of Swiss literature.
Visitors can consult materials in the reading room of the Swiss National Library, where collections are made accessible with proper support. It helps to check opening hours beforehand, as availability may vary depending on research needs.
The institution publishes a journal called Quarto that shares research insights and stories about the collections with readers interested in literary history. This publication brings attention to lesser-known writers and manuscript details that might otherwise remain hidden from general audiences.
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