18.07.2026 – 08.02.2027
“Delphina and Three Deserters” tells of war and resistance, of trust and betrayal, and of family solidarity. At the same time, it explores how memory is passed on and what significance historical experiences hold for the present.
The exhibition deliberately avoids approaching this story as a self-contained historical narrative. Instead, it highlights how memory is formed, passed on and transformed across generations.
At its heart are personal mementoes, historical documents and photographs from the family’s collection. They recount the experiences of the Burtscher family as well as the consequences of war and persecution. The voices of the descendants take on particular significance. Audio interviews and personal recollections show how the story has been passed down within the family and what significance it still holds today.
These family perspectives are complemented by historical context and academic contributions that place the events within a broader social and political context. The exhibition deliberately highlights different points of view and reveals the subjective nature of memories.
For a series of photographs developed specifically for the exhibition, the artist Sarah Schlatter visited historic sites in the Großes Walsertal – places of imprisonment and persecution.
Her works bridge the gap between the past and the present, showing how traces of history remain inscribed in landscapes and spaces of remembrance to this day.
At the same time, the exhibition invites visitors to contribute their own thoughts and experiences and to link the historical narrative with contemporary questions about war, responsibility and moral courage.
Delphina and Three Deserters – Family Memories of Humanity and Courage in an Inhumane Era
18.07.2026 – 08.02.2027
vorarlberg museum
Kornmarktplatz 1, Bregenz
www.vorarlbergmuseum.at
