Politics Berner Reitschule dares to restart after violent excesses
A colorful elephant welcomes visitors to the Reitschule.
Image: Keystone
Two visitors to the Reitschule after its reopening.
Image: Keystone
A colorful elephant welcomes visitors to the Reitschule.
Image: Keystone
Two visitors to the Reitschule after its reopening.
Image: Keystone
Bern's Reitschule resumed operations on Wednesday evening. The operators of the alternative cultural center had taken a two-week break following violent excesses.
22.01.2025, 19:05
SDA
The time was used to introduce measures for more security, explained members of the media group on site. Repression was not the appropriate response. Instead, the focus is on participative and social activities, integration and dialog with visitors.
For example, there are now three people at the entrance gate to talk to visitors. In addition, the space directly in front of the building is to be enlivened. The Reitschule is limiting itself to its own perimeter - the Schützenmatte is much larger.
"We design our open space and we protect it," said a flyer that was distributed on Wednesday. "No drug dealing either in front of or inside the Reitschule."
Exchange with the authorities
Dialogue with the authorities has been intensified, a spokeswoman added. She left open what the exchange with the police looks like. "We do not communicate this topic via the media."
The operators of the Reitschule announced the break on January 7. The reason they gave was the escalation of violence in and around the alternative cultural center in the previous weeks. Drug dealing is a central problem.
A man was last seriously injured in an altercation on December 29, 2024. One of his fingers was chopped off. The Bern cantonal police arrested the suspected perpetrator.
