PRANGINS.- A major new exhibition opening today at the Château de Prangins invites visitors to reconsider Switzerland’s place in the history of colonialism—an involvement that is often underestimated or overlooked.

Titled Colonialism: Switzerland involved, the exhibition runs from March 29 to October 11, 2026, and presents a wide-ranging exploration of how Swiss individuals, businesses, and institutions were connected to colonial systems across the globe. Through a carefully structured narrative, the show moves from historical realities to present-day consequences, offering a nuanced and thought-provoking experience.

A journey through history in nine chapters

The exhibition unfolds in two parts, beginning with an extensive historical journey divided into nine thematic chapters. Each section is anchored by a symbolic object, grounding complex ideas in tangible forms.

Visitors are first introduced to the broader context of European colonialism in a striking prologue. Here, a colonial helmet—once used by settlers to assert both protection and dominance—is placed in dialogue with a contemporary embroidered world map by Filipino artist Cian Dayrit. The contrast sets the tone for an exhibition that challenges traditional narratives and Eurocentric perspectives.

Among the most impactful sections is the chapter on slavery, where a simple cotton branch evokes the vast transatlantic system that saw more than 12 million Africans forcibly displaced. The exhibition highlights the role of over 250 Swiss individuals and companies in this system, underscoring how deeply intertwined Switzerland was with global trade networks built on exploitation.

Other chapters explore:

• Trade, showing how commodities like cocoa and textiles fueled both colonial economies and Swiss industries

• Mercenaries, revealing the participation of Swiss soldiers in colonial conquest and control

• Settler colonies, where Swiss emigrants benefited from systems that displaced Indigenous populations

• Missions, examining the dual role of missionaries as agents of both social change and cultural imposition

• Colonial expertise, where Swiss professionals contributed to the infrastructure and administration of colonial regimes

• The colonial gaze, highlighting how images and narratives shaped perceptions of colonized peoples

• Environmental exploitation, tracing the ecological consequences of colonial extraction

• Racism, exploring how pseudo-scientific theories justified imperial domination

Together, these sections build a layered picture of Switzerland’s participation in colonial systems—not as a colonial power, but as an active and often influential participant.

From history to the present: confronting colonial legacies

The second part of the exhibition shifts focus to the present, asking how colonial histories continue to shape contemporary society.

At its center is a compelling artistic gesture: a bronze sculpture by Geneva-based artist Mathias C. Pfund, which reimagines a monument to a Swiss merchant involved in the slave trade. The work reflects ongoing debates about public memory, monuments, and accountability.

The exhibition also examines Switzerland’s more recent connections to global inequality, including its economic ties to apartheid-era South Africa. Through case studies involving arms trade, financial transactions, and political agreements, visitors are encouraged to consider how colonial dynamics persist in modern systems.

Additional themes include:

• The restitution of artworks acquired during colonial periods

• Structural economic inequalities between former colonial powers and former colonies

• The persistence of racial stereotypes rooted in colonial ideology

An interactive video installation invites visitors to engage directly with these questions, exploring how colonial legacies continue to shape everyday life and public discourse in Switzerland.

A space for reflection and dialogue

Rather than offering definitive answers, Colonialism: Switzerland involved creates a space for reflection. Visitors are encouraged to question inherited narratives, reconsider familiar histories, and share their own perspectives.

By bringing together historical artifacts, contemporary artworks, and critical scholarship, the exhibition succeeds in making a complex subject accessible without simplifying its implications.