World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Basel project collects handwritten stories of happy moments
In Basel, Switzerland, Sabine Koitka runs a place where people can leave handwritten stories about moments that made them happy.
She has collected more than 70 letters, notes and photographs over five years.
The stories range from everyday pleasures, such as sleeping in on a day off, to major events, including a mountain rescue.
Some writers describe finding love again, while one seriously ill woman wrote that pain-free minutes were her greatest happiness.
Koitka usually does not know who has sent each story, and says that is not important.
She began the project because constant bad news was weighing on her and she wanted to give positive experiences more attention.
The collection is still growing, and the centre also offers visitors small cards with encouraging messages to take away.
Sabine Koitka collects handwritten stories about happy moments at a project in Basel’s Spalenvorstadt.
The project aims to give people a positive counterweight to the stream of bad news.
More than 70 handwritten letters, notes and photographs have arrived so far.
The stories range from everyday pleasures to major experiences, including a mountain rescue and a successful escape to Basel.
Koitka has collected the stories for five years, inspired by journalist and happiness researcher Mark Riklin.
- Who
- Sabine Koitka collects the stories, which are sent in by people, mostly unknown to her.
- What
- A Basel project gathers handwritten accounts of personal happy moments.
- When
- Koitka has been collecting stories for five years.
- Where
- At a happiness-story collection point in Basel’s Spalenvorstadt, at the historic house “Zum Österreich”.
- Why
- Koitka wanted to bring positive experiences to the fore as a counterweight to bad news.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
There are no typical happy stories. Each one is unique.
That actually doesn’t matter.
When you talk to people about happiness, the most beautiful and profound conversations arise.
I noticed that the many bad news stories were getting me down. I wanted to find a way to bring the positive to the fore.
Inspired by journalist and happiness researcher Mark Riklin, Koitka began collecting stories about happiness.
More than 70 handwritten letters, notes and photographs have arrived.
- Collector
- Sabine Koitka
- Location
- Spalenvorstadt, Basel
- Collection period
- Five years
- Submissions
- More than 70 handwritten letters, notes and photographs
- Inspiration
- Journalist and happiness researcher Mark Riklin
Sources
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