The 2024 show

A fascinating journey into the local bird world.

The story sweeps us off to the wonderful world of birds in Switzerland. We fly towards the sky with these aerial acrobats, observe their amazing characteristics and listen to their song. Visitors can look forward to a variety of exciting episodes in which the façade of the Bundeshaus (Swiss Federal Palace) is imaginatively transformed into the most diverse habitats of the bird world. Against this backdrop, we experience up close some of the most fantastic characteristics of the feathered animal world from Switzerland, accompanied by selected expressive music.

“Off we go” with the bramblings

Countless chirping bramblings fly cheerfully towards the Bundeshaus and settle on the façade. A film clapperboard with the title "Volare" appears. The bramblings fall silent with curiosity. The clapperboard closes with a loud bang. The birds fly excitedly into the air and then out of the picture. The façade of the Bundeshaus disappears.

Gramophone “Volare” and the starlings

A gramophone record flies towards the building. The Bundeshaus can be seen as a label on the record with the title "Volare", which blends in with the façade. The façade is then transformed into an old gramophone. The title song "Volare" starts to play. A large flock of starlings flies out of the gramophone funnel.

The white-breasted dipper

After an impressive transformation, we return to the façade of the building. Then the building rotates. There is a cave-like crevice at the back. A large waterfall pours out of the gable. A white-breasted dipper sits on a rock in front of it and then flies through the waterfall to its nest. Her chicks follow her back through the waterfall.

The fishing kingfisher

The façade rotates back again and appears as a rocky riverbed. Clear water rises in front of the building. A kingfisher sits on the gable and watches small fish in the water. It dives into the water and fishes out a small fish. The façade continues to fill with water. The kingfisher dives into the water again in close-up and slow motion and catches another fish. The water then slowly runs off again and the façade disappears.

Birdwatching and the lapwing

The search for a lapwing in a biotope begins with a look through a telescope. Part of the lapwing flashes again and again until the telescope finally focuses on it and observes it. More lapwings join them. The lapwings then fly towards the audience through the telescopic lenses to great effect.

“Singfonie”

Wallcreepers run up the façade and open the side portals to a concert hall. Sparrows look out of the windows of the side portals into the concert hall. The centre portal of the Bundeshaus is depicted as a stage set in which various bird species sit. Beethoven's "Pastorale" can be heard. A kingfisher conducts the bird choir, which chirps happily to the music. To the applause of flapping wings, a curtain falls and ends the scene.

Swallows feeding

The curtain opens to reveal a wooden frame. Swallows whirr around. The basic structure is transformed into a farm barn, on whose façade the swallows build their nests. Three hungry young birds stretch their beaks out of each swallow's nest. A group of barn swallows bob to the beat and watch the goings-on of their fellow birds.

The courtship display of the cranes

The façade gradually transforms into a plush ballroom ambience. Red light illuminates the façade. Two cranes slowly approach each other and begin to dance around each other. A heart-shaped disco ball appears and lights up the dance floor. The cranes come very close to each other in their mating dance and end their ritual with a kiss. Excited and flapping their wings, they leave the stage. Individual feathers fly around and cover the façade with plumage.

Dancing feather dresses

The feather-covered building begins to dance. Different textures of feathered clothing alternately cover the building, which moves rhythmically to the music. Individual feathers come loose and fly around. At the end, all the feathers come loose and the Bundeshaus becomes visible.

The golden eagle, king of the skies

The façade effectively reflects the Swiss alpine landscape. In front of snow-covered mountains under a blue sky, a golden eagle glides over its territory as "Mr Bluesky". The scene depicts the sharp vision of the eagle through dynamic and sharp-edged mirror and magnification effects. The result is a dynamic interplay of reflections of the mountains, the blue sky and close-ups of the golden eagle.

Enchanting music that inspires dreams

To the dreamlike melodies of our time, the Bundeshaus is transformed from thousands of points of light into gracefully glowing silhouettes of birds. Romantic sounds accompany the imaginative transformations and invite you to dream. The familiar sounds of a music band from Bern, who drew inspiration for one of their hits from the world of birds, are also a must.

Birds of prey at night

The result is a night scene inspired by a classic silhouette shadow play. Owls and owlets keep watch in the mystical forest. Sounds from the thicket of the forest indicate prey. An eagle owl calls; music sounds from the distance. Birds of prey glide silently past as shadows. It starts to snow and winter sets in. A heavy snow flurry cloaks the scenery.

Migratory birds, starlings in spring

The snow flurries subside and the façade of the Bundeshaus appears heavily iced over. The ice slowly melts and warm rays of sunlight penetrate the air. A flock of chirping starlings comes out of the sun, forms typical bizarre clouds and settles on the gable of the Bundeshaus.

Finish and bowing

Colourful woodpeckers fly towards the façade and hastily chisel the names of the producers into the brickwork in four languages. The building with the names bows. Finally, the Bundeshaus is carried out of the picture by an eagle. End of the show.

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Music list

“Off we go” with the bramblings

James Last – «Alle Vögel sind schon da» (Instrumental)

Gramophone “Volare” and the starlings

Domenico Modugno – «Volare»

The white-breasted dipper

Aurora – «Black Water Lilies»

The fishing kingfisher

Edvard Grieg – «Peer-Gynt-Suite Nr. 1, Morgenstimmung»

Birdwatching and the lapwing

Instrumental Champions – «Pink Panther»

“Singfonie”

Wiener Philharmoniker & Karl Böhm – Ludwig van Beethoven: «Sinfonie Nr 6 in F-Dur, Pastorale»

Swallows feeding

Bob Marley – «Three Little Birds»

The courtship display of the cranes

Edith Piaf – «Non, je ne regrette rien»

Dancing feather dresses

Moondog – «Bird´s Lament» (Remix)

The golden eagle, king of the skies

Electric Light Orchestra – «Mr. Bluesky»

Enchanting music that inspires dreams

James Last and Orchestra – «Tristesse» (Chopin)

Peter, Sue & Marc – «Birds of Paradise»

Birds of prey at night

The Doors – «Birds of Prey»

Migratory birds, starlings in spring

The Beatles – «Here Comes the Sun»

Finish and bowing

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – «Eagle» (Abba)