Childhood nostalgia interwoven with Ticino history

As soon as I enter the exhibition "Rote Zora & Schwarze Brüder" (Red Zora & Black Brothers) in the Landesmuseum Zurich, I sink into the world of Lisa Tetzner and Kurt Kläber: the author couple met a good 100 years ago and wrote books for young people together, some of which became world-famous. The most famous among them: "Die Rote Zora und ihre Bande". A book that also shaped my childhood. The red box dedicated to this book in the Landesmuseum triggers incredible joy and nostalgia in me. I particularly like the design sketches for the book cover, which has always been one of my favourite book covers.

With the help of texts, pictures and many original copies of the couple's letters and manuscripts, this exhibition immerses us in their life and work. In the process, we also learn a lot about the history of Ticino, where the couple spent and wrote a large part of their life together. Part of this history also inspired the book "Die Schwarzen Brüder" (The Black Brothers), another successful book by the couple.

In addition, we learn about the importance of Ticino before and during the Second World War for artists from all over the world and who else sought refuge there besides the Tetzner and Kläber couple. Among other things, it gives us an impressive impression of how writers were able to publish despite a ban on publication. Kurt Kläber had such a ban as soon as he emigrated to Switzerland. Therefore, he published "Die Rote Zora" under the pseudonym Kurt Held.

In addition to short and easy-to-understand information panels, there are also various video recordings, slide shows and my personal highlight; an interview with various people who bear the name "Zora" because of the novel. They tell how this book and the name have influenced them and who they personally consider to be Red Zoras (= courageous strong women). The feminist movement is also briefly addressed and what significance the name Zora plays there. For me personally, this topic could have been looked at in more depth.

On the other hand, I found the length of the exhibition and the different stations very accessible: it gives a good first insight and makes you want to learn more. Taking an hour to see it next month is worthwhile.