The Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel exhibits Friedrich Dürrenmatt's paintings and drawings. It is a part of Swiss National Library, just like Swiss Literary Archives, which has a close cooperation with CDN. The Centre Dürrenmatt, which was opened in the September 2000 in the upper Neuchâtel, is located in the first Dürrenmatt's residential place in 1952. The Swiss architect Mario Botta was assigned to rebuild the house. As a place for discussion and research, CDN supports critical debates about Dürrenmatt's artistic and literary works. Beside the temporary exhibition, the permanent exhibition "Friedrich Dürrenmatt, writer and painter" is open for public visit. Readings, concerts, colloquiums and debates take place regularly in the CDN. Apart from numerous exhibits of his literary works and rare exhibited paintings, the CDN offers a wide view over the Lake Neuchâtel and also the Bernese Alps.
History
In 1952, Friedrich Dürrenmatt moved to his house in the upper part of the city, where he lived and worked until his death on 14 December 1990. He took his life beyond the Röstigraben as a theme in one of his works, especially the reality that he lived in the francophone part of Switzerland since 1952, but he wrote in German language. After his death, his former house was adapted and expanded for being used as a museum. The museum was opened officially in September 2000.
Previous exhibitions
Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Writer and Painter, permanent exhibition
Friedrich Dürrenmatt : Endspiele,from 6 April until 26 October 2003
Dieter Roth : la Bibliothèque, from 6 April until 26 October 2003
The Theater of Friedrich Dürrenmatt in Bulgaria, from 7 May until 20 August 2004
Gotthelf-Dürrenmatt or the Moral in Emmental, from 31 October 2004 until 30 January 2005
Varlin - Dürrenmatt Horizontal, from 24 April until 31 July 2005
Hanny Fries : Dürrenmatt in Schauspielhaus Zürich, from 17 September until 17 December 2006
Dürrenmatt and the Myths: Drawings and Manuscripts, from 11 February until 30 April 2007
On the border of language, from 19 May until 2 September 2007
Pavel Schmidt - f.k - Kafka's drawings, from 19 October 2007 until 10 February 2008
Topor - Encyclopedia of body, from 16 March 2008 until 11 May 2008
Paul Flora - Royal dramas, from 18 May 2008 until 31 August 2008
Prag 1968 - 40 years spring of Prag, from 14 September 2008 until 19 October 2008
