In a way, it is the metropolis of the German-Swiss border region. You could also call it the navel of the Upper Rhine… well, but maybe that would be an exaggeration. In any case, everyone knows that Basel is always worth a visit. What only a few people know is that during such a visit they can learn a lot about the eventful history of the border neighbors. The Women’s City Tour Basel association has made it its mission to bring the canton city’s past back to life.
Bringing unknown stories to light
The meeting point is at the Old University, the place that can also be seen as the birthplace of the Basel women’s city tours. Since the association was founded in 1990, the members have tried to bring unknown stories of the city to light. These stories have always been discovered and told by students and scientists at the University of Basel.
Two of them are already waiting on the garden terrace of the university building. Despite the view of the Rhine, Lena Heizmann and Linda Falcetta cannot quite enjoy the last rays of sunshine. There are still 15 minutes until the tour begins. Check all the materials again before they disappear into a wide bag. Visitor after visitor trickles in.
Lena Heizman guides the participants through Basel in the 1960s. The association works on a voluntary basis, Lena Heizmann is a historian by profession. | Image: Agatha Glück
And many women have brought their husbands with them. Contrary to what the name might suggest, the women’s city tours are specifically aimed at an audience of all genders and backgrounds. The second criterion does play a role at the start of the tour. “Can everyone understand us when we speak Swiss German?” Lena Heizmann asks the group that has now assembled. Although not necessary today, the guides can also speak in standard German if required.
Journey through Basel in 1968
After this clarifying question, we can move on to history. The topic that the audience will get to know more about over the course of the evening is “Basel ’68 – Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
Heizmann and Falcetta take the meeting to a place that is unexpected given the title. Namely, to the church square of the nearby St. Martin’s Church. Here the two tour guides take on the role of two students in 1968: one is revolutionary and full of pride for the achievements of the progressive movement, the other is skeptical and difficult to convince. An amusing discussion inevitably ensues.
After the exchange of words, we go down the stairs to Basel Town Hall. This was a special moment in Swiss history. On March 17, 1968, the people of Basel elected women for the first time to the Grand Council, the legislative body of the canton of Basel-Stadt.
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Framed by a black cardboard frame, which, when held by two helpful visitors, resembles a classic television, the two city guides report on the event. As part of the evening news, Lena Heizmann interviews Linda Falcetta, who, in alternating roles, recapitulates the various perspectives on the controversial topic of the time.
At the end of the “broadcast,” Heizmann (she will be 34 years old in 2024) announces the imminent switch from black-and-white to color television. Laughter goes through the group.
Research and tours are a matter of honour
Now there is a bit of walking to do, and the two tour guides have to be careful not to lose their followers. For them, not only the 90 minutes of the tour but also the entire research time are voluntary. The tours are financed primarily through fundraising, and members can meet in the rooms of the University of Basel to prepare.
This is what fashion and lifestyle looked like in 1968. | Image: Agatha Glück
Lena Heizmann is a historian by profession and 31-year-old Linda Falcetta is a coordinator for volunteer work in refugee aid. Both studied at the University of Basel.
Next comes a stop at Rümelinsplatz, where Falcetta and Heizmann, in the role of an immigrant couple from the 1960s, point out some of the injustices that existed at that time. This sketch not only shows how difficult life was for women from immigrant families in particular, but also how complicated and sometimes inhumane both the legal situation and the mood were for immigrants in that not so distant time. Linda Falcetta does not hold back from pointing out parallels to the here and now.
Basel is a cultural leader
After a short introduction to the lively drug scene in Basel in 1968, the tour reaches its final destination. In front of the city theater, the participants are treated to 60s rock. Falcetta and Heizmann agree that music can also serve as a source of contemporary history. As a border town, Basel was culturally at the forefront of Switzerland. Inspired by their American and British role models, bands like “the dynamite” or the spectacularly named “Swiss Ladies” dressed in extravagant outfits and belted out guitar solos.
After a short explanation of the lively drug scene in Basel in 1968, the city tour reaches its final stop. In front of the city theater, the participants are treated to 60s rock music. | Image: Agatha Glück
Despite all the revolution and provocation, Lena Heizmann points out that these wild 1968 events in Basel took place in a “typically Swiss, reserved” manner. Nevertheless, some changes in gender roles, sexual morality and tolerance of all kinds have their origins in 1968. And part of this legacy clearly lies in the heart of the Swiss-German border town of Basel.
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