Monet Collection Featured At Bayeler Anniversary; Cold Weather Bites MuseumNight Attendance; Teufelhof Tries Beer Making; 8 Tram Dope Smugglers Busted

News For 24 January 2017

For art fans, now through May is a great time to be in Basel.  The Bayeler Foundation, easily accessible in downtown Riehen using the #6 tram, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a Claude Monet exhibition.  The works have been assembled from 63 private and public collections from around the world, including ones that have never been on public display before.  The paintings focus on the artist's use of color and light on landscapes, buildings, people and bodies of water.  To mark the occasion, Phillipe Piguet, grandson of the artist was on hand with museum dignitaries last Friday to open the festival which runs until May 28th.  

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Museumnight was back last Friday for its annual festival featuring the participation of 37 Basel museums and cultural institutions.  Unfortunately, this years event was also accompanied by biting cold which kept some potential visitors away and indoors.  The approximately 83,000 participants that did make out, represent a decline of 8% from prior year's attendance record.  If you were among those that braved the cold, you were treated to events that lasted well into the night, ending at 2am.  Organizers have taken notice of the possible effects of the cold on attendance and have planned the 2018 version for mid March.   **********   The hotel Teufelhof in the center of Basel's old district is taking a crack at joining the craft brew craze.  Starting last Thursday, people interested in sampling their home-brew can try it at the Teufelhof's restaurant and hotel bar.  The restaurant, renowned for its Michelin star now adds beer to its line-up of beverages including a highly regarded wine cellar.  Bavarian Braumesiter Max Sedelmeier was brought in as an advisor to determine the line-up of beers that will be brewed and served.  25,000 liters of beer production are planned for the first year of brewing, and if you're keen to try it in a less formal setting, the cafe 1777 in Schmiedenhof will also have a tap of the Teufelhof's brews.  Teufelhof joins the renewed Basel movement of in-house brewing already practiced by Volta Brau, All-Bar One's Kitchen Brew and the local workhorse: Ueli.   **********   The 8 tram has been a popular means of transport for those seeking to smuggle contraband or controlled goods into Basel from Germany.  The police have been aware of the hordes of people - most, law abiding - shopping just over the border and using the tram as their means to get back home in Switzerland.  And while most of their patrols usually turn up a few extra kilos of undeclared steak, last Thursday policemen found 2 kilos of marijuana in a travel case accompanied by two men.  The men and the drugs were taken into custody while they await settlement of their legal status and responsibilities.