class = “sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>
I’ve been responsible for housing and construction-related stories at Blick for over five years. In addition to standalone stories and stories of transformation, these include the live series “This is how Switzerland lives” and stories about immigrants.
Especially immigrant stories take a lot of time. Immigrants often write to me: “You can come whenever you want.” “That would be nice,” I usually answer. Especially when I see amazing photos of Thailand, Argentina, France or wherever they all live.
Technical difficulties and time difference
Unfortunately, we do not have the resources or capacity to visit heroes around the world and provide information about their lives in their new homelands. For these stories, we rely on immigrants’ support with illustrated, informative and, if possible, video material. That’s why it often takes a long time for stories to be ready for publication. The time difference was also added to this. My working hours usually last until late at night.
One of the things that made me sweat a little was a story a few years ago from a Swiss retiree who had been living in Canada for years. Everything was discussed, the text was written, the story was planned. But I still missed the photos. When I asked him, he wrote to me that he was disappointed that he no longer wanted to participate in the contest because he could not send the photos despite the instructions. So I calmly explained everything to him again until it worked.
When the story was published on Blick, he called me and thanked me very much. He almost cried with joy when his old Swiss school friends, whom he had not heard from for years, contacted him because of this article. For me, too, these are the beautiful moments that make the effort particularly worthwhile. I’ve stayed in touch with some of my old heroes over the years.
irreversible effort
Even if readers contact us with their stories, the story may never be published. The situation is the same in our life series “This is how Switzerland lives”. One woman came forward and wrote that she was giving up her apartment because she feared she would no longer be able to pay the increased rent as a retiree. She has been living in an old trailer ever since.
This intrigued me and I called him. Completely surprised that anyone would even contact her, she told me her story about her busy life in the hospitality industry as a single parent with existential fears. That he spends the winter camping in a nearby country where it is cheaper and only lives in a campsite in Switzerland during the summer.
When I told him I wanted to tell his story in Blick, he said he would rather not do that. He wrote to Blick that he was “in a bad phase” and would prefer no one to recognize him. “He’s feeling a little better now,” she said.
Even though I assured him that he would remain anonymous and that I would give him time to think about it, he did not dare. As much as I wanted to tell this story, I respected it. I’m sure the retiree is not an isolated case of existential fears in wealthy Switzerland, and I sometimes wonder where he is now.
When the weather doesn’t want it
Two of my favorite stories from last year are both from Switzerland. They also needed a little more time and patience for different reasons.
I discovered mountain dweller Hans-Andrea Ratz, who lives isolated in the Graubsunu mountains, on a TV news story about sustainability. She said yes to me immediately after our first contact at the end of February 2023. The hermit had plenty of time for the phone call and welcomed the opportunity. He told me in detail how he ended up in the secluded cottage.
The story was written quickly. However, it will take until June for us to publish this. Late snowfall in the spring of 2023 delayed the photo shoot several times because you cannot reach the monk’s hunting lodge above Schiers GR during the winter months.
Weather doesn’t factor into Blick’s planning, but the patience until release was worth it. The story from the mountains was liked by the readers and the monk also received a lot of feedback. «It was very sensational. It’s amazing how often I get asked this Blick story,” says Ratz, still happy in the mountains now covered in heavy snow.
Critical senior citizen in nursing home
The life story of a nursing home also took a little more time. I’ve had this idea in my mind for a while. A suitable person was still missing.
There must be someone who feels comfortable in the nursing home and is happy in their new home. The idea of moving from your own four walls to a nursing home is still a nightmare for many older people.
Senior Liva Tresch was also skeptical for a long time. He was also skeptical when I first contacted him by phone after a contact told me Tresch would be willing to tell me his story. The woman who contacted me also told me that the woman was very direct and a bit “casual.”
“So which newspaper are you writing for again?” Tresch wanted to know when I spoke to him on the phone. When he heard “Blick” he wasn’t too keen. During my visit to the nursing home, the 90-year-old man set the tone. He has already planned the entire process. From having lunch together, to a walk in the park, to visiting the chapel at home. I took extra time because it’s not easy for Tresch to walk anymore. He calls it “an old house” but talks cheerfully and openly about his eventful life and living situation until I, tired, accompany him to his room. He wasn’t the only one tired after the tour and detailed conversation; I’m a few years younger than the 90-year-old man who still uses a walker.
After skepticism there is happiness
It took me a while to sort through all the impressions and comments and write them down. Especially since I now know how critical Tresch is towards Blick. However, after a short time during the visit, he offered to call me “you” and we got along well. However, when it came to her reaction to the text, I was prepared for anything.
He later said, “You wrote this very emphatically and beautifully.” I confess, my relief was great. Especially since he had never been a Blick reader before and I was able to convince him that we were doing our job meticulously and seriously. It was almost like a chivalry, and I was happy to hear Liva Tresch tell me afterwards: “In life you must always remain open, sometimes say goodbye to preconceived ideas and allow yourself to be convinced of the opposite.” I think it’s a true word coming from a wise mouth.
With this in mind, I look forward to meeting and getting to know new heroes who will open both the door of their home and a piece of their life to me in the new year.
Source : Blick
I am Dawid Malan, a news reporter for 24 Instant News. I specialize in celebrity and entertainment news, writing stories that capture the attention of readers from all walks of life. My work has been featured in some of the world’s leading publications and I am passionate about delivering quality content to my readers.
