Swiss literature
Literatures
- German literature
- French literature
- Italian Literature
- Romansh literature
Switzerland's literature differs in German, French, Italian and Romansh literature according to the four national languages . The writers of all parts of the country, however, are organized in the same authors' association, the association authors of Switzerland ( AdS ).
Literature of German-speaking Switzerland
The literature in the German-speaking area of Switzerland is like the literatures in other German-speaking countries (eg the Austrian literature) more of a geographical classification as an independent literary space. Thus, the Swiss authors belong to the German culture and thus also to German literature. An exception are at best - limited - the vernacular language products for the Alemannic -speaking world.
In the Middle Ages there were in the German language literary works in various monasteries: in Muri Monastery is the oldest German -speaking Easter play and the first nativity scene was created in 1250 a little later in the Abbey of St. Gall. Also courtly poetry originated in what is now German Switzerland, the Manesse in Zurich. In the 16th century Aegidius Tschudi wrote the Swiss Chronicle. This work was the basis for his William Tell for Schiller. An important representative of the Enlightenment was the physician Albrecht von Haller, who exercised the Alps so influential in the German nature poetry with his poem.
The Swiss German literature since then was in a constant state of tension relative to the parent developments in the German language and literature space. In addition to an always already existing, regionally vibrant literary scene emerged in the 19th century, important works, which include a permanent part of the canon of literature in German language, in particular those of the classics of realistic literature as Jeremias Gotthelf, Gottfried Keller and Conrad Ferdinand Meyer.
In the period from 1890 to 1920 the development in Switzerland did not follow the typical for European development sequence of Naturalism, Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Expressionism, Surrealism, etc., but was characterized by adherence to the realistic narrative tradition, increasingly, by a non- vernacular literary style home, which was particularly stimulated by the demand of the readers and the publishers in the neighboring former imperial German Reich. However, most authors had in addition to their literary production pursue a day job. A characteristic representative of this tendency was for example Jakob Christoph Heer. The also created at this time Heidi by Johanna Spyri books are based on the works of Agatha Christie to the world's best-selling books of all time.
After the Swiss-German literature after 1918 occasionally tried to catch up with the international development - as in the late expressionist work of Max Powder - she isolated herself in the 1930s and 1940s again and introduced himself - in front against Nazism and Italian fascism - in the service of spiritual defense. In addition to drawing on elements of folk art figures and conservative cultural criticism were taken by the authors under the influence of neighboring countries and the Zeitgeist partly nationalist nationalist ideologies and propaganda forms, such as in Robert Faesis story Fusilier Wipf. The representatives of the exile literature were largely ignored or marginalized, including the now narrow limitation of Swiss literature led market, the competitive effect of exacerbating during this time.
Only the authors of the second half of the 20th century, Friedrich Dürrenmatt and Max Frisch and the late rediscovery of Robert Walser brought the German -language literature of Switzerland to resume international validity.
Two German Swiss poet Carl Spitteler and Hermann Hesse, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature for their works.
Among the best known contemporary writers include about Luke Bärfuss, Peter Bichsel, Luke Hartmann, Franz Hohler, Thomas Hürlimann, Zoë Jenny, Christian Kracht, Jürg Laederach, Milena Moser, Adolf Muschg, Paul Nixon, Erica Pedretti, Peter Stamm, Martin Suter, Peter Weber, Markus Werner or Urs Widmer.
Dialect and standard German
In German-speaking Switzerland, the locals communicate in their various Alemannic dialects such as Basel German, Swiss German, German Graubünden, St. Gallen - German, German or Valais Zurich German who collectively known as Swiss German. Official and official texts are written almost exclusively in written German, the Swiss High German. For Basler Fasnacht include the current cabaret Schnitzel benches in dialect.
Dialect literature in Switzerland
A first " dialect wave " emerged after 1900 around the Bernese " literature Pope " Otto von Greyerz, with authors such as Rudolf von Tavel, Simon Gfeller, Carl Albert Loosli or the Solothurn Joseph Reinhart. As a latecomer Ernst Balzli or Elisabeth Müller could be mentioned. As part of the " intellectual defense " of the Swiss German film came about.
A second " wave dialect " was formed in 1960 with the vernacular chansons Berner Troubadours by Mani Matter and cabaret artists such as Franz Hohler, César Keiser and Emil Steinberger. These were joined after 1970, the singer-songwriter and dialect rock singers or bands; the best known are probably Polo Hofer and Peter Reber. It is also noticeable here that many of the successful all over the German artist Switzerland in the canton of Bern originate. Better known writers are about Ernst Burren, who writes exclusively in his Solothurn dialect, or Kurt Marti, who is especially known with its bern German poems. From the Central Switzerland Julian Dillier be mentioned, who also wrote to his work in Basel dialect of Obwalden.
From a third " wave dialect " you can since 2004 about the authors of the Bern group is everywhere - talking - with Pedro Lenz, Michael Stauffer and Beat Sterchi.
Literature of French-speaking Switzerland
Main article: Literature of French-speaking Switzerland
The literature in the French language area of Switzerland brought out the poet Philippe Jaccottet and writers such as Jacques Chessex and Charles Ferdinand Ramuz. Jean -Jacques Rousseau and Blaise Cendrars came from what is now Switzerland. The house of Madame de Staël in Coppet was in the 18th century one of the centers of European literature.
Among the authors of the 20th century include as S. Corinna Bille, Nicolas Bouvier, Maurice Chappaz, Jacques Chessex, Anne Cuneo, Jeanne Hersch, Alice Rivaz and Yvette Z'Graggen also in German Switzerland to the more familiar.