The discovery of mushrooms in the modern age. From poisonous horror to delicacy

Mushrooms have been very popular in newspapers, scientific publications and exhibitions for several decades. They are treated as mysterious, versatile and promising creatures. The number of collectors in our forests has also reached record levels. This was not always the case. Until the 20th century, they were considered by many in Switzerland and Western Europe to be dangerous plants that should be avoided, even destroyed.

How did the change from a "mycophobic" society that feared mushrooms to a "mycophile" society that loved mushrooms take place? Who contributed what to this change? Was it urban expertise or rural experience? And what can we learn from this for dealing with nature? Jon Mathieu, one of the most prominent experts on Alpine culture, will explore these questions on this evening.