Art Safiental Biennale raises voices from the future

In a pristine Alpine valley in eastern Switzerland, an art biennale has taken root. Visitors at the fifth Art Safiental Biennale in the Safien valley, which runs until October 20, are being confronted with the question, “What if...?”. Art Safiental 2024 is not a fair-weather exhibition. This is not only because there have there been many storms in Switzerland this summer, but because the motto of this year’s open-air programme is, "What if? Voices from the future”. The bienniale attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors each year. Previous editions have also attracted worldwide media coverage. What do valley residents think of the art? But what do the inhabitants of the valley think of these artistic endeavours? There were only a few locals at the opening at the beginning of July. "After it had rained for weeks, the first warm days had to be used for the hay harvest," Elisabeth Bardill explains. Bardill is 83 years old and has lived in the village of Tenna with her husband since 1963.