The Parliament Building will be opening its doors to visitors: both of the Council chambers, the lobby and the domed hall as well as the Materia Helvetica exhibition will all be freely accessible, along with the Federal Council Chamber in the west wing of the Federal Palace. Council of States President Thomas Hefti will be in the National Council Chamber to answer questions from the public (with simultaneous interpreting). Parliament guides will present information at set times on the workings of Parliament and the historic building itself. The film Zimmer 286 (Room 286) will be shown in committee room 286. The event will also include musical presentations and the Zeitungszimmer café will be open for business.
Opening hours: Monday, 1 August from 8.30am to 4.30pm, last entrance at 3.30pm. Event is free of charge.
National Council chamber, 10–10.45am: Council of States President Thomas Hefti answers visitors’ questions. Simultaneous interpreting into French and Italian.
Council of States chamber, 11.30am–12 noon: Council of States President Thomas Hefti’s perspective on the Council’s work, and information on the chamber’s artistic history from the Parliamentary Services visitor services.
Information on the Parliament Building and parliamentary business:
- National Council chamber: 9am / 11am / 12 noon / 1pm / 2pm / 3pm / 4pm
- Council of States chamber: 9.30am / 11.30am / 1.30pm / 2.30pm / 3.30pm
The Federal Council chamber in the west wing of the Federal Palace – the room in which the Federal Council holds its weekly meetings – will be open to visitors. Access via first-floor passageway.
The Materia Helvetica exhibition on the use of natural resources in Switzerland will be open to the public free of charge. Further information will be available from the infopoint in the lobby, or from the event website (in German, French and Italian): www.materia-helvetica.ch
The film Zimmer 286 will be showing in committee room 286 (German with French subtitles, 2015), giving viewers an insightful look at the committees’ work in Parliament.
Snacks and drinks will be available from the Zeitungszimmer café.
Music: The alphorn duo Timorosso and Evelyn and Kristina Brunner will be playing at various locations in and around the Parliament Building.
Visitors young and old can take part in a competition (information table in the domed hall).
Parliament Building audio tour: visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Parliament using a smartphone app to tour the Parliament Building or go on a tour of the grounds, where they can learn interesting facts about the federal institutions in Bern.
All visitors aged 16 and over must show a passport or ID card.
High visitor numbers can lead to delays at the security checkpoint.
Programme subject to change. Come along and join us – we look forward to seeing you!