Ella Maillart and Annemarie Schwarzenbach archives in UNESCO

Photo Elysée is honored to announce the inclusion of the Ella Maillart and Annemarie Schwarzenbach collections in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

This prestigious recognition pays tribute to two pioneers of travel writing whose archives are now held by Photo Elysée, the Bibliothèque de Genève and the Swiss Literary Archives at the National Library in Bern.

In the 1930s, Ella Maillart epitomized a new generation of independent women who established themselves as photographers, writers and journalists. In 1988, she entrusted her photographic collection to the Musée de l'Elysée, now known as Photo Elysée, which has since devoted several major exhibitions to her work.

The inclusion of these collections in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register underlines the exceptional historical and cultural importance of these archives and the essential role played by these two women in the history of photography and journalism. Photo Elysée is proud to contribute to the preservation and promotion of this remarkable heritage.

“This is a tribute to an exceptional artist and woman, whose photography illuminated each of her journeys. A bold pioneer, Ella Maillart embodies modernity, independence, and nonconformity, and continues to inspire generations. Close to our museum, she entrusted us with her precious photographic archive, and we are deeply honored to preserve it within our collection, thus bearing witness to her enduring legacy.”

— Nathalie Herschdorfer, Director of Photo Elysée