Trifter

Russian President Dimitri Medwedew is due for an official State Visit to Switzerland end of September 2009. As a gift, two brown bears from Russia have preceded him, called Björk and Finn, coming from the Moscow Zoo. They are currently residing in the old bear compound while the finishing touches are being done to their new home.

The bear compound in Berne is one of those places you just have to see while visiting the city. Currently in its final construction stages, the newly built compound will be officially opened in October 2009 with a big public festival. The old compound had been built in 1856 and had been deemed completely inadequate for keeping bears in any comfort.

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The new compound is built on 6,000 square metres and includes several caves and a private bathing site for bear use only on the river Aare, the river that encircles the medieval city centre. As the current compound is a grade listed building, it has been integrated into the new compound as a visitor centre. The compound is fully equipped to deal with the breeding and upbringing of young bears; these may be given into other breeding programs to broaden gene pools in zoos worldwide.

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The history of the bear compound goes back to 1513, when the victorious Bernese troops brought back a bear from the battle of Novara. As the armour of the city shows a black bear relating to a legendary incident told about the founding of the city in 1191. There is an even earlier mention of keeping bears in the ‘Käfigturm’ (cage tower) from 1441, but it is not clear if this was a permanent fixture or just a one of. Since 1513 bears have been kept in succession in the city over the centuries. A new compound was opened in 1857 which was already the fourth such compound built since 1441.

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The only time no bears were held at the compound was from 1798 to 1810, during the Napoleonic occupation of Switzerland. The holding of bears in Berne has therefore become linked to the independence of Switzerland in the saying that Switzerland will be independent and free as long as there are bears living in the bear compound in Berne.

The official opening of the new compound is set for the 25th October 2009, it will be the fifth compound built so far. The festival will be day long and include an art fair for bear art and numerous musical acts performing in different locations. Björk and Finn have declined taking part due to a prior engagement; they are still held under Swiss quarantine laws.