March 2012

The train from Bellinzona, the capital of the Italian speaking Canton of the Ticino, departed on time. This was not usually the case. Most trains traveling North on the Gottardo line, originated in the busy financial centre of Milano, Italy and thus were always late.

The three members of the family Semmaruga took seats in an unoccupied compartment in a second class carriage. They would be traveling to Zürich to see a definitive exhibition of the works of Alberto Giacometti at Zürich's famous 'Kunst Haus' (Art Museum). They would be returning home the same evening as the express train only took two hours and fifteen minutes one way. Franca was like a live wire anticipating this excursion that her parents, Giacomo and Paula had promised her for her fourteenth Birthday. Today was the 'big' day! When she woke up this morning she found a bouquet of yellow roses on her night table. The Birthday card attached, contained a 100 franc note to cover the costs in Zürich and was most appropriate as it pictured Giacometti on the front side and some of his sculptures on the reverse side.

The Giacometti Collection in Zürich was the most comprehensive one of a Swiss artist in existence. Even though he lived and worked in Paris and Geneva, for many years, Alberto, himself donated most of his later works to the Zürich Art Museum before his death. Franca's parents preferred the paintings, drawings and objects d'art, Giacometti produced during his cubist and surrealist movement periods in his Montparnasse studio. Franca's favourite piece was Le Chien (the Dog) completed in 1951. It very well represents his later sculpture oeuvre consisting mainly of thin human figures in bronze. The exhibit was very well presented and took up a considerable amount of space on two levels in one of the newer wings of the museum. Since they had planned to stay in Zürich the entire afternoon the Semmarugas decided to explore the paintings of Giovanni Giacometti as well before leaving the Kunst Haus. Giovanni was Alberto's Father and was known for his portraits of his family and panoramas of mountainous regions in his native Canton of Grigione. They were very impressed with the pastel colours, featured in Giovanni's work.

As they came out of the museum the sun was brightly shinning and one could see the majestic mountains in the background as they strolled by the lake. When they reached the Bahnhofstrasse, they turned right towards the main train station. About half way up the street, they came upon the Café Sprüngli. This was the flagship shop of the Sprüngli confectionary chain and had a magnificent turn of the century style wood paneled café upstairs that is extremely popular for breakfast, light luncheons and afternoon tea. They were able to find a table by the window overlooking Parade Platz below. Once seated they ordered their tea (Earl Grey) and proceeded to the display case in the centre of the room to select amongst the cakes, tarts and patisseries. Franca had the first choice; Schwarzwälder Torte was always her favourite. Paula chose Quarkkuchen and Giacomo took a Kirsch Torte. Just before leaving the café to catch the next train back to the Ticino, Franca signaled the maître d'hôtel to pay the bill, it would be her treat. To her astonishment she could not find the birthday card with the FR.100.- note in her small hand bag. Had she forgotten it in all the excitement? Had she lost it or worst yet had someone stolen it? Even though her parents offered to pay the bill, she explained the situation to the headwaiter. He suggested that she make a bank transfer once she got home and gave her the café's bank number. She handled the mishap in a very grown-up manner and her parents were very proud of her.