Activities related to the Rumantsch language and culture
In 2020, I published a book of poetry and lyrical prose in Vallader and Puter titled Vent per mia vela (Uniun dals Grischs). This work was also showcased during my reading tour through the canton of Graubuenden/Grischun/Grigioni in October and November 2024. Much of it had been translated into English and expanded upon two years later. The English version, Blackboard, was published in 2022 by Strangers Press (Norwich, UK) and translated by Hannah Felce.
My poetry and stories are featured in various anthologies, including German publications in Bonn, French translations (e.g., in Aruè, translated by Denise Mützenberger), and Spanish translations as part of a project by the Looren translation center, under the mentorship of Carla Imbrogno, Martina F. Polcuch, Jessica Zuan, Sidonia Klainguti, and Professor Rico Valär.
I have presented my Rumantsch poetry, stories, and plays at numerous festivals. Within Switzerland, I have performed at the Fundaziun Nairs in Scuol (curated by Flurina Badel and Bettina Vital), where my first Rumantsch play, Ün tschientmillevel da l’alfabet feminin, was performed by actress Anny Weiler. Additionally, I participated in the Literature Days (Dis da Litteratura) in Domat Ems.
Internationally, I’ve been part of events such as the Schamrock Festival for female poets in Munich, which led to an invitation by Kateryna Kalytko to the literary festival in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, in 2019. I have also had the privilege of reading my Rumantsch poetry alongside its Italian translations in Genoa’s “Stanza della Poesia” (invited by Claudio Pozzani), with translations by Daniel Menna.
My Rumantsch slam poetry has been performed both locally and nationally (e.g., at Slam Basel and Woerdz in Lucerne), and I have also hosted Rumantsch slam events.
Over a decade, I wrote columns in Rumantsch for the Volg Zeitung and continue to publish regular Rumantsch contributions in Reformiert (Nossa baselgia). Additionally, I produced 110 literary miniatures for the “impuls” segment on Radio Rumantsch.
In 2016, my story Il postin earned me a nomination for the Premi Term Bel.
For five years, I curated a literature platform for Vallader and Puter, designed for me by cultural manager Vera Kaiser, at the Kulturhotel Laudinella and the Reine Victoria hotel in St. Moritz. During this time, I had the pleasure of hosting sessions with over 20 authors, both established and emerging.
For the opening of the trilingual Literature House of Graubuenden/Grischun/Grigioni, I had the honor of designing and hosting the Rumantsch segment. Thirty authors participated in the event—half attended in person, while the other half entrusted me to present their work.
I served as a mentor twice in the Migros Kulturprozent Double program: in 2018/19 with Flurina Badel as my mentee, and again in 2023/24 with Janic Maskos.
Since returning to the Rumantsch-speaking region in 1999, I have taught Vallader and Puter for over a decade at three Engadine high schools: the Hochalpines Institut in Ftan, Lyceum Alpinum in Zuoz, and Academia Engiadina in Samedan. I worked as a specialist in language, literature, and history, teaching bilingual baccalaureate classes in Ftan. Additionally, I organized preparatory courses for the Rumantsch-language examination and led numerous writing workshops for students ranging from primary school to high school.
I also had the privilege of writing the Rumantsch anthem for the Swiss National Park, which premiered in 2023, as well as lyrics for Rumantsch singer-songwriter Angelo Andina. Furthermore, I collaborated with Manfred Zazzi (Aquarium Studios, Zurich) as a voice actor for a wildlife documentary and guided students in dubbing a Czech fairy tale film into Rumantsch.
For twelve summers, I led conversation courses during the Rumantsch language programs at Chesa Planta in Samedan. At the same venue, I presented my Rumantsch musical theater piece CirqueOpus at the conclusion of the “Favella Bella” literature festival in 2024, by invitation of Martina Shuler-Fluor. This performance featured a collaboration with singer-songwriter Curdin Nicolay and keyboardist André Gemassmer.
With two secondary school classes, I co-authored romans da scoula (schoolhouse novels): one in Puter, titled Terror in Engiadina, and another in Vallader, titled Capricorns e cocaín. This project, organized by the Junges Literatur Labor Zürich (JuLL) and coordinated by Richard Reich and Gerda Wurzenberger, was awarded the Swiss Confederation Literature Prize. It aimed to foster linguistic and personal growth among young participants. Another roman da scoula in Rumantsch is planned for 2025 under my supervision.
My public appearances include television engagements, such as a live broadcast in November 2017 with Graubuenden’s State Minister Barbara Janom, discussing ecological scenarios, including the impact of a 3-degree temperature rise in Europe.
From 2012 to 2024, I served as a member of the Regional Council of SRG.R (RTR Radiotelevisiun Rumantscha), the highest governing body of Swiss public broadcasting. In this role, I joined the task force against the No-Billag Initiative and am currently co-chair of the Media Alliance against the Halving Initiative. I am also involved in a campaign specifically advocating for Rumantsch radio and television. My political efforts in support of the Rumantsch culture include serving as President of the School Commission in Samedan and as President of the Celerina/Schlarigna municipality.