Reflecting on Complex Histories in Appenzell

Our colleague Noémie Étienne recently took part in an excursion to Trogen, Appenzell, organized by ETH Zürich, Maarten Delbeke, and Noelle Paulson.

Known for its remarkable Rococo architecture and its prosperity through the eighteenth-century textile industry, Trogen offers a striking example of how local histories are often intertwined with global networks. The visit shed light on the complex connections between the region's wealth and the broader economic systems of the time, including the trade in enslaved people.

The excursion provided an opportunity to reflect on how places of great beauty can also embody difficult and uncomfortable histories. It raised important questions about how such histories can be discussed, preserved, and remembered today.

We thank ETH Zürich, Maarten Delbeke, and Noelle Paulson for organizing this thought-provoking and enriching experience!