Pitschi, Joggeli, Globi, and Schellen-Ursli: the stars of Switzerland’s most delightful picture book classics have captured the fancy of generations of readers, old and young. The exhibition Joggeli, Pitschi, Globi – Popular Swiss Picture Books at the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz from 2 November 2019 to 15 March 2020 provides an opportunity to rediscover the famous heroes. 

Who’s not familiar with them: Joggeli, who’s asked to go and pick pears but prefers to take a nap instead, the little cat Pitschi, the children from the Maggi songbook, the teddy bear who sets off for Tripiti, Schellen-Ursli, and, of course, Globi and his many adventures? These are just some of the heroes from famous Swiss picture books that have accompanied us for generations, that are gladly passed on to family and friends, and – like no other genre of book – are enjoyed by grown-ups and kids alike. 

Enthusiasm among young and old 
Now Globi, Schellen-Ursli, Pitschi, and all the others are coming to Schwyz: after the successful show at the Swiss National Museum Zurich, children and adults once more get the chance to immerse themselves in the magical world of Swiss picture books at the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz from 2 November 2019 to 15 March 2020. 

A visit gives grown-ups the chance to relive their own childhood memories of reading. Background information on the time and circumstances under which the books were written draws attention to the history of education and graphics as well as the life stories of the respective authors and illustrators. Children, on the other hand, get the chance to meet their heroes in a playful way, for instance, listening to audio stories under Joggeli’s pear tree, in Globi’s postbus, in Schellen-Ursli’s alp hut where they can dress up in traditional costumes, or in Pitschi the cat’s large featherbed, an ideal place for browsing books. 

Attractive support programme 
Numerous picture books wait to be discovered in the exhibition’s themed reading islands. In addition, the exhibition comes with a rich support programme: grown-ups can learn more about the background to a wide range of topics concerning Swiss picture book classics in guided tours offered by experts, while children and their carers get to enjoy the fascinating world of Michael Huber’s animated figures, guided family tours, puppet shows, and story afternoons.