The Secret Rose Garden Society Sa., 30.05.2026, 17–19:30 Uhr

On a pleasant spring evening in May, a portal opens in Bern’s Rose Garden, from which a long path descends into the depths of hundreds of years of queer history. As the sun hangs low in the sky, the last streaks of light filter through the canopy above us and into the tunnel at our feet.

Inspired by Shola von Reinhold’s writing, we use this leisurely gathering to project our queer selves into the past. You’re invited to come as your past queer self: as Orlando’s reincarnation; as Jack Sheppard; a trans hero of the British underworld; a sailor living outside the regime of private property; a campified Victorian bride; as Sappho’s muse. Or whatever have you (!).

We’ll lick the frosting off a 500-year-old cake and drop ancient grapes into each other’s mouths. We’ll write fading letters to each other and cruise the archive. This is The Secret Society of the Rose Garden, and its invitation is open to all queers and friends who’d like to fabulously historify.