Images by Rachel TonThat
Embedded Files
Die Alp an sich
Die Alp an sich
Die Alp an sich is a bilingual collection of literary translations of Swiss folklore from the Sarganserland region by Rachel TonThat and Tobias Bärtsch. Translated from Swiss German and High German into English for the first time, the book dwells on the lifespan of the stories through time with past versions paired with historical context, new retellings, and excerpts from 19th to 21st century folklorists, including an essay by contemporary folklorist Dr. Meret Fehlmann at the University of Zurich.
“[TonThat and Bärtsch] make language perceptible across languages and honor the creative work of translation—producing a work of rare coherence…Under [TonThat’s] direction, this multilayered, carefully designed form—from film photography to overall design—elevates the book far beyond a simple collection, making it a work that not only preserves the traditions but also reflects on, interrogates, and revitalizes them.”
— Janin Pisarek, German folklorist, narrative researcher, and Vice President of the European Fairy Tale Society
“The legends and their retellings, each with their own unique vibrancy [go] hand in hand like the extraordinary combination of image and text”
— X Schneeberger, Neon Pink & Blue (Swiss Literature Prize 2021)
“When legends are dusted off—approached with a tender gaze and a keen sensitivity to the actual events—they unleash a surprising capability: a timeless emotional authenticity. In “Die Alp an sich – Tales from the Sarganserland”, age-old legendary traditions become newly accessible through radical shifts in perspective—emerging as nuanced tales that directly affect, transform, and inspire readers with the courage to start anew.”
— Flurina Badel, multilingual writer, performer and activist, winner of the Swiss Literature Prize 2020
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse