Burri, Üelu and the sleds (Swiss Press Text 2012, by Tobias Graden) - Swiss Press Award

Bieler Tagblatt

Tobias Graden

A few kilometers outside of Bern, in Rümligen, you're already in the countryside. Here, you're not just in the countryside, but palpably in another world. This is especially true in Burri Paul's old sled factory. Using old machines and a great deal of craftsmanship, he and his taciturn assistant Üelu build sleds during the winter months. He could undoubtedly market them very well, perhaps even be truly successful with them, but that's not his intention. He refrains from active advertising, has no website, and by the end of February, people have had enough of sledding, and he's had enough of sleds until the following November. The report, in words and pictures, captures the peculiarities of the place and the character of Burri and Üelu – with the perspective of a city dweller, but lovingly and with great respect.