Berne is known for embracing its European roots; with a population of just over 4,000 residents, 51.4 percent of them have German or Swiss heritage.
Dozens of senior residents at Swiss Village gathered with “Swiss Speaks,” a traveling group from Bluffton, Ohio. They spent an hour with residents, teaching them Swiss or reminiscing on speaking Swiss in their lifetimes.
Shana Neuenschwander is a library professional assistant in Berne, and helped coordinate the event. Berne’s library extends services to Swiss community members like one-on-one interviews to help residents learn more about their families, but this event was a first.
“We’re just excited to help the community and spread Swiss heritage,” said Neuenschwander. “So we just try to share our genealogy and family history with others.”
Richard Bucher leads the discussion for Swiss Speaks. Throughout, residents told stories of speaking Swiss with their families, expressions they remembered from loved ones and even learning some new words and phrases.
“Conversations are difficult, because most of us are a generation or two away from speaking Swiss, but it brings back lots of memories,” said Bucher.
For Bucher, the reasons for investing his time in these gatherings is a simple one.
“Part of our background growing up was Swiss, and we don’t want to lose it,” he added.
When it was time to go, Bucher noted the tradition of Swiss family members singing two songs before heading out the door. So he grabbed his accordion and helped send everyone home.
