The exhibition «Power and Homeland. Federalism in Switzerland and Elsewhere» was inaugurated on February 16, 2026, at the Polit-Forum Bern, located in the Democracy Tower (Käfigturm) in the heart of Bern. This vernissage marked the official launch of this temporary exhibition, produced by the Institute of Federalism at the University of Bern in collaboration with the ch Foundation and funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.

The exhibition explores the dynamics of Swiss federalism by comparing them with other international systems. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sean Mueller (University of Bern) brought together Dr. Rekha Oleschak from the Institute of Federalism, Marieke Kruit (Mayor of Bern and President of the Polit-Forum Bern association), Danielle Gagnaux-Morel (State Chancellor of the Canton of Fribourg and member of the ch Foundation’s steering committee), and Mathias Michel, the representative of the Canton of Zug in the Council of States.

The exhibition will remain open until the end of 2026 in this historic building, which once served as a city prison. Do not miss this unique opportunity to discover federalism here and elsewhere.

Photo Credit: Susanne Goldschmid