Residents of Brienz Face Evacuation Yet Again
The residents of Brienz are forced to leave their homes – again. The community is torn apart. Is this time for good? A village caught between helplessness and hope.
A Tragic Goodbye
On the church floor, students from the neighboring village have left messages for the residents of Brienz. “I’m very sorry that you’re in danger again and have to leave. I hope things will get better soon,” reads one note. The people of Brienz bid farewell – to their houses, their homeland, their neighbors.
A Village in Turmoil
The village is eerily quiet. The streets are empty, and in the distance, a woman walks her dog. Some houses already seem abandoned, with closed shutters. Smoke rises from a few chimneys into the cold November air, while the sun shines on the church steeple. A couple approaches the cemetery next to the church, carrying red roses to place at a grave. The residents of Brienz leave everything behind, not just their homes and friends, but also their memories and their deceased.
The Threat of the Mountain
A rumble interrupts the silence. The mountain, whose scree slope reaches the edge of the village, rumbles. With each rumble, it moves closer to the village, threatening to bury it. Every day, the mass of debris slides about 25 centimeters downhill, with up to 1.2 million cubic meters of rock potentially collapsing. Additionally, the entire village has been sliding for years. It is now clear that the residents of Brienz must leave the village by Sunday noon – without knowing if they will return. Again. They know what’s coming, but you can never get used to it.
A History of Evacuations
Already a year and a half ago, in May 2023, the entire village was evacuated. A few weeks later, a huge rockslide thundered into the valley – miraculously stopping just a few meters from the old schoolhouse. In July, the Brienzer returned to their homes. But the mountain did not rest. And now it seems like everything is starting all over again.
A Final Farewell
However, this time it feels different, say several residents. Final. This is also what the pastor, Federico Pelicon, says. “People have become weary.”
“The People Have a Friendship with the Mountain”
Pelicon reflects on the situation, contemplating which robes to take with him. He is supported by the sexton, Edith Bisculm, 68, who selects a gray robe for him, suggesting it would be beautiful for a funeral. However, the priest opts for a beige robe, stating that he prefers that color. The sexton shakes her head. In the end, almost all the robes in the closet will remain. Even the incense burner will continue to hang next to the closet. “We can’t take everything,” says Edith Bisculm.
The Preservation of History
The altar, dating back to 1519 and specifically crafted for the church in Brienz, is being prepared for evacuation. It is one of the few altars in the German-speaking region that has been so well preserved, according to the cantonal monument conservator, Simon Berger. The altar symbolizes protection for the people of Brienz, which is why it will be brought out of the village along with the residents.
A Time of Uncertainty
As the mountain rumbles once more, emphasizing the words of Edith Bisculm, the residents of Brienz face the challenge of deciding what to take from their old life to their new one. They are unsure of where their new life will be, let alone how much space they will have there. They may only have a room available, or they may move into a spacious apartment, only to leave it at Christmas. Many face the possibility of multiple moves until they can return home.
The Emotional Toll
Edith Bisculm expresses her exhaustion from the constant upheaval. She plans to stay until Sunday morning. “Then I will close the shutters and leave.”
Conclusion: A Village in Limbo
The residents of Brienz find themselves in a state of limbo, unsure of when or if they will return to their beloved village. The threat of the mountain looms large, disrupting their sense of security and stability. While they face an uncertain future, they cling to hope and solidarity, finding strength in each other and their shared history.
FAQs
1. Will the residents of Brienz be able to return to their village?
The situation is uncertain, and many residents fear that they may not be able to return to Brienz due to the ongoing threat posed by the mountain. Only time will tell if they can rebuild their lives in their beloved village.
2. How are the residents coping with the repeated evacuations?
The residents are facing emotional and logistical challenges as they prepare to leave their homes once again. They are relying on each other for support and solidarity during this difficult time.