Maria Lauber

Maria Lauber (25 August 1891 – 4 July 1973) was a Swiss writer, who published both in Standard German and in the local dialect of Swiss German (specifically "Frutigtütsch", a form of Highest Alemannic). She published folklore, autobiographical stories and poems, and was awarded the 1951 Schiller Prize, and the 1966 Literary Prize of the Canton of Bern. She was made an honorary citizen of Frutigen.

Life and work Born in Frutigen, in the Berner Oberland, on 25th August 1891, her parents were Johannes and Rosina Susanna, née Grossen. Lauber trained as a teacher at the Monbijou Teacher Training College in Bern, finishing in 1910. She also later had training at the University of Bern, in 1917.

In 1966, she was appointed an honorary citizen of Frutigen by the parish council. She is buried in the Frutigen cemetery, where her grave has been given a place of honour.

Awards and prizes 1951 Schiller Prize (for Chüngold) 1966 Literary Prize of the Canton of Bern 1966 honorary citizen of Frutigen

Selected bibliography Alpen-Legendchen, 1920 D' Wyberschlacht uf de Langermatte. Ein Schauspiel aus der Zeit der Sage in 3 Akten, 1922 Wa Grossatt nug het gläbt. Skizzen über das Brauchtum der Talschaft Frutigen in ihrer Mundart dargestellt, 1939 Eghi Brügg: Gschichti us em innere Frutigtal, 1942 Hab Sorg derzue. Sagen aus der Talschaft Frutigen nach mündlicher Ueberlieferung, 1940 Chüngold (Erzählung), 1950 Chüngold in der Stadt (Erzählung), 1954 Mis Tal (Gedichte), 1955 Bletter im Luft (Gedichte), 1959 Unter dem gekrönten Adler. Die Talschaft Frutigen, 1961