A creative designer from Villars at the Barry Foundation
Who has not heard about The "Barry Foundation" in Martigny? Its history dates back several centuries, to the times when travellers were trying to pass the St Bernard Pass in difficult climatic conditions. Napoleon himself experienced it with his army. This is how he discovered the value of the hospice dogs, because they showed him their ability to save lives, finding people in the snow, in a bad position and thus avoiding a terrible end.
Impressed by these dogs, he became a great ambassador for the breed, and from the middle of the 19th century the Saint Bernard dog became famous all over the world. This dog naturally became the emblem of Switzerland, thanks in particular to the one who bore the name of "Barry" and was a specimen endowed with great qualities, as well his beauty, his flair, power, obedience, and his proximity with man. Since 2005, the "Barry" Foundation is the guarantor of the breeding of the "Grand-Saint-Bernard".
The foundation now offers visitors a museum and a visit to its breeding center. Between Martigny and "La Maison Hospitalière" du Grand-Saint-Bernard, depending on the season, everything is done for the well-being of this mythical breed. In fact, the Saint Bernard is not only a Swiss cultural asset, but also a symbol of the friendship between the dog and human beings.
One day, during a creative exhibition, there was a meeting — a very nice meeting between a designer and the Foundation's managers. This designer was Susan Winter, resident in Villars-sur-Ollon, whom we had the opportunity to present in a previous issue, as Susan is the creator of products "oh la vache!". Indeed, this creator and designer has become a master in the art of making beautiful objects, dishes and other porcelain adorned with her beautiful drawings in the shape of cutouts.
This meeting took place in early April 2019 and it soon became clear that Susan was going to create for the Foundation. Thus were born several representations of "Barry", drawings that have been refined, to create mugs, coffee cups, tea towels, etc. The list can become long over time. Ideas come together and the collection is built quietly.
All products are made in Europe. The Saint Bernard dog as represented by Susan makes you want to equip your whole house with different items. It is both a memory and a beautiful piece of decoration.
If you like dogs, we urge you to take a detour to Barryland in Martigny which is open every day from 10 am to 6pm. We cannot remain indifferent to the history of the shelter and the dogs as they are intimately linked. Barryland offers its visitors a good time at the "Café de Barry" and in its shop where there are many objects and books that trace the beautiful story of this breed and the Hospital House of the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard.
The Barry Collection by Oh La Vache!
Original Article — Villars No.7 Magazine
Fondation Barry
du Grand-St-Bernard
rue du Levant 34 à Martigny
+41 27 720 53 53
www.barryland.ch[email protected]Products also for sale at the online store: www.barryshop.ch