Trudi Gerster: A Tribute to a Renowned Storyteller and Advocate

Celebrating Trudi Gerster's Life and Work

Trudi Gerster, the beloved Swiss storyteller, who passed away eleven years ago, is not forgotten. A park in Basel's Iselin-Quartier has been named after her. The street sign of the "Trudi Gerster-Anlage" features her biography, as reported by SRF. During the inauguration, her daughter Esther Jenny remarked, “My mother would be so thrilled to know this.”

Beyond storytelling, Trudi was also a politician, serving in the Grand Council of Basel-Stadt from 1968 to 1980, where she advocated for environmental protection and women’s rights. In 2005, she was awarded the Honorary Prix Walo.

A Life Dedicated to Storytelling and Advocacy

Trudi moved to Basel after marrying in 1948 and later became a single mother. She intensified her dedication to storytelling when tours became increasingly difficult. Her theatrical storytelling captured the hearts of generations of children, who listened to her on the radio. She fought against the development of new nuclear power plants, a testament to her political prowess.

In November, the Basel Director of Justice and Security, Stephanie Eymann, decided to honor Gerster by naming this previously unnamed playground after her. This new park serves as a vibrant reminder of a woman who lives on in the hearts of many as the “Fairy Tale Queen of Switzerland” and a passionate politician. Gerster was born in 1919 in St. Gallen and began telling stories on the radio in 1940. Her life's work continues to inspire.