Contributions to Rumantsch Literature
In 2020, I published a volume of poetry and lyrical prose entitled Vent per mia vela (Uniun dals Grischs), written in two Rumantsch idioms, Vallader and Puter. I presented this work at a number of readings, including during my extended reading tour through the Canton of Graubünden in October and November 2024. An English edition, enriched with new texts, appeared in 2022 under the title Blackboard with Strangers Press (Norwich, UK), translated by Hannah Felce.
My Rumantsch poems and stories have been included in various anthologies (Litteratura, Chasa Paterna, among others), as well as in bilingual editions published in German-speaking contexts such as in Bonn and the University of Zurich. They have also appeared in French (e.g. Aruè, translated by Denise Mützenberger), in Spanish (translated by Rafael Segoria and Camila F. Cacitùa), and in Portuguese (translated by Guilherme G. Machado), within a project of the Looren Translation Centre and the University of Zurich (Fervur rumantscha!). Italian translations by Daniel Menna (Bern) have likewise been published; I had the pleasure of presenting them, together with the Rumantsch originals, during an invitation to Claudio Pozzani’s Stanza della Poesia in Genoa.
I have had the opportunity to present my Rumantsch poetry, prose, and drama at various festivals. In Switzerland, I performed at the Fundaziun Nairs in Scuol, where my first Rumantsch play, Ün tschientmillevel da l’alfabet feminin, was premiered (actress: Anny Weiler). I was also a guest at the Literature Days in Domat/Ems (with music by Astrid Alexandre), and at the Favella Bella festival in the Chesa Planta, Samedan, where in 2024 my piece Cirquopus was premiered (musicians: Curdin Nicolay, André Gemassmer; actress: Ursula Filli).
Internationally, I was invited to the Schamrock Festival of Women Poets in Munich, which in 2019 led to an invitation by Kateryna Kalytko to the literary festival in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. As already mentioned, I have also presented my work bilingually (Rumantsch and Italian) in Genoa.
Spoken Word is a particular passion of mine. I have performed locally and nationally at slam poetry events – in Sent, Samedan and Vuorz (with international guests), as well as at woerdz in Lucerne and at Slam Basel. I have also hosted Rumantsch spoken-word events, and I was invited to serve on the jury of the Swiss Slam Poetry Championships at the LakeLive Festival in Biel/Bienne.
For ten years, I wrote a bi-monthly Rumantsch-language column for the Volg Zeitung and continue to contribute regularly to Reformiert (Nossa baselgia). In addition, I have written to date 130 literary miniatures for the programme impuls on Rumantsch radio (RTR).
I was also invited to compose the Rumantsch anthem for the Swiss National Park, premiered in Zernez in 2023, as well as several song texts for the Rumantsch singer-songwriter Angelo Andina.
In 2016, my short story Il postin was nominated for the Premi Term Bel at the Rumantsch Literature Days.
Mentorships and Educational Contributions
For five years, I curated and directed a successful literary platform for Vallader, Puter and Jauer, designed for the Kulturhotel Laudinella and the Hotel Reine Victoria in St. Moritz. Over this period, I had the pleasure of hosting more than twenty authors, both established and emerging.
I have also served as a mentor in the DoubleLiterature programme (Migros Kulturprozent): in 2018/19 with Flurina Badel as my mentee, and in 2023/24 with Janic Maskos.
Since returning from the English-speaking world to the Rumantsch region in 1999, I have taught Vallader and Puter (language and literature) for over a decade at the three Engadine secondary schools (Gymnasien): the Hochalpines Institut in Ftan, the Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz, and the Academia Engiadina in Samedan. In Ftan, I additionally taught history to the bilingual Matura class, entirely in Rumantsch. I also organised preparatory courses for the Rumantsch-language examination at both Zuoz and Samedan, and have led numerous writing workshops for pupils at all levels.
Beginning in 2000, I taught the conversation courses at the Rumantsch intensive summer programme in the Chesa Planta, Samedan, for twelve consecutive years. A particular joy for me was the invitation to Glion/Ilanz in 2025, where, during the intensive Rumantsch courses in Sursilvan, I had the honour of leading a literature module in Vallader and Puter. It was a very special distinction.
Together with two school classes (reala/Realschule), I co-authored romans da scoula (school novels): one in Puter (Terror in Engiadina) and one in Vallader (Capricorns e cocaín). This project of the Junges Literatur Labor Zürich (JuLL) was awarded the Swiss Confederation Literature Prize. Its aim was, and remains, to foster linguistic and personal development among young participants. Another roman da scoula in Rumantsch is planned for 2026 under my direction.
On another occasion, at Aquarium Studios in Zurich (directed by Manfred Zazzi), I supervised several school classes in dubbing a Czech fairy-tale film into Rumantsch. I had first come into contact with this studio when invited to record the Rumantsch voice-over for a wildlife documentary.
Moderation and Public Appearances
At the opening of the trilingual Literature House of Graubünden/Grischun/Grigioni, I had the honour of curating and moderating the Rumantsch section. Thirty authors participated, half in person, half through works I was entrusted to present.
My public appearances have also included television broadcasts, such as a live discussion in November 2017 with Graubünden State Councillor Barbara Janom on ecological scenarios, including the impact of a three-degree rise in European temperatures.
I have long found great joy in taking part in Rumantsch theatre. Already as a teenager, I wrote and performed in my own school plays, and also took part in evening productions staged by the theatre-enthusiasts of the mixed choir in my home village of Scuol. Later, I had the pleasure of appearing as Lady Windermere in the Rumantsch translation of Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan: A Play About a Good Woman with the Societed Dramatica Samedan. I also had the privilege of playing several roles in Celerina in 2012, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the poet and dramatist Giovannes Mathis (1824–1912).
Political Engagement for Rumantsch Culture
From 2012 to 2024, I served as a member of the Regional Council of SRG.R (RTR Radiotelevisiun Rumantscha), the highest supervisory body of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. In this capacity I was part of the task force against the No-Billag initiative, and I am currently co-president of the Media Alliance opposing the Halving Initiative. I am also active in a campaign dedicated specifically to Rumantsch radio and television.
My political commitment to Rumantsch culture further includes my many years of service as President of the School Commission in Samedan and as Mayor (prüm cuvih/Bürgerpräsidentin) of Celerina/Schlarigna. Both bodies conduct their business in Rumantsch – and will continue to do so.