Four of our most memorable stories
In 2019, hellozurich published more than 250 articles. Three contributors and a photographer tell us about their most memorable stories – including a new kissing location, fear of dining in the dark, and an interview with drag queens.
‘I was taken by surprise and afraid I would panic in the pitch darkness.’
Suddenly you’re one sense down
Sibylle Ledergerber, contributor
‘I took part in quite a few guided tours for hellozurich over the course of the year. The most memorable was the tour organised by Die Blinde Kuh, Zurich’s well-known dark restaurant. It was fascinating to discover how easily blind and visually impaired people cope with everyday activities. At the end of the tour we were invited to have a bite to eat in the restaurant – but I chickened out. I was taken by surprise and afraid I would panic in the pitch darkness. But now I really wish I’d gone. One of my colleagues recently went to the Blinde Kuh and was blown away. I can’t turn back the clock, but I’m definitely going to visit the dark restaurant next year.’
‘This strong, smart young woman is the author of a book called Vergewaltigt [Raped], in which she describes her life after rape.’
‘The rape is just a memory now’
Eva Hediger, editor-in-chief
‘Thanks to hellozurich I have met lots of different people this year, including bartenders, shop owners and breakdancers. Tatjana Kühne made a particularly strong impression on me. This strong, smart young woman is the author of a book called Vergewaltigt [Raped], in which she describes her life after rape. She was very open during our interview and hoped that reflecting on this time would help others in similar situations.’
‘I met my girlfriend – now my wife – at the Splendid Piano Bar four years ago, and that’s where we kissed for the very first time.’
Splendid Piano Bar
Christian Schiller, photographer
‘I met my girlfriend – now my wife – at the Splendid Piano Bar four years ago, and that’s where we kissed for the very first time. It was by chance that we both ended up in this live music bar in Niederdorf. So I was delighted when hellozurich asked me to write an article about the Splendid Bar and its manager, Rose-Marie Obrist. Rose-Marie has been running the bar since the 1970s and told hellozurich all about the bar’s fascinating history. My wife and I knew nothing about this on that fateful evening four years ago – and we wouldn’t have been interested! So it’s great that I had a chance to come back.’
‘It’s probably the best interview I’ve ever done.’
‘We want to move beyond anything that has ever been seen in the Zurich drag scene’
Valérie Jost, editor
‘I started working at hellozurich in 2019, and my first few months have already been full of memorable moments. But, for me, one thing really stands out among all the stories and experiences – my very first article for hellozurich, when I interviewed the comedian Ágota Dimén and drag queen Vicky Goldfinger from the TV programme Late Night Drag. They were both so passionate about their art, and it was an honour for me to convey their enthusiasm to our readers. It’s probably the best interview I’ve ever done.’