Cantonal Culture Prize for Niggi Messerli

Niggi Messerli has been the face of the Palazzo cultural center in Liestal since the very beginning, writes the canton. He is receiving the prize for his life's work. Forty years ago, he and three friends developed a concept for an autonomous, self-managed cultural venue and founded Kulturhaus Palazzo AG in the old post office building in Liestal.

When he and his companions opened "das Palazzo" in 1979, there was no boom in off-spaces. But there was an urge for self-managed space beyond institutional accreditation. This meant that alternative culture had arrived in the Basel region. Since then, the house has been inviting visitors to take a cultural detour at the interface between the Upper Basel region and the urban agglomeration.

At the same time as the 40th anniversary, there is a change of management and founder Niggi Messerli hands over his building to new hands, who will continue to develop it. Today, the Palazzo is home to an art gallery, the Sputnik cinema and a small theater; it also houses a bookshop, an Indian restaurant, advice centers, studios and a small mosque.