Background information
Visit to the largest Japanese garden in Europe: Sabine Rusch reveals the secret of garden art
by Darina Schweizer
Papa Papillon gives wings to butterflies
28.6.2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Christian Walker
If there was a Swiss ambassador for butterflies, it would probably be Marc de Roche aka Papa Papillon. The 79-year-old from Bern has dedicated his work to butterflies for 20 years. This is his story.
«My hair reached all the way down to my shoulders.» Grinning mischievously, Marc de Roche sits at a wooden table in his apartment within a former Bernese mansion. In the 79-year-old’s mind, it’s still the height of the hippie era. An era in which he’s a big fan of Che Guevara; one in which he fights against capitalism and for love instead of war.
We believed we could make the world a better place.
But Marc de Roche doesn’t get that far. His life is taken over by the corporate grind. He becomes an IT specialist and works hard as a father of two. His dream of a better world balls up in a cocoon deep inside him.
An encounter that changes everything
The caterpillars have disappeared. Marc de Roche is at a loss.
I had lost touch with the world. But I was very much in touch with computers.
His passion takes shape
Marc de Roche’s fascination grows. Like a hungry caterpillar, he devours any and all information he can find about butterflies. He starts raising caterpillars in his garden and exchanges advice with other amateurs – and pros. In doing so, he notes a shortcoming: experts only reach specialist circles with their knowledge, and not the general public.
This bothers Marc de Roche. Why? Because it’s citizens who can take specific action to prevent the species' extinction by hosting caterpillars.
There’s no lack of flowers for butterflies, but there is a lack of food for caterpillars.
Back in the day, fennel, carrots and dill could be found in every garden. Today, female swallowtails must fly miles to lay their eggs. Marc de Roche is concerned about this. The desire to make the world a better place starts to stir again in his cocoon – until the pupa rips open.
The butterfly hatches
The wait is over
To me, the Spanish moon moth is the most beautiful butterfly in the world.
The butterfly flies away
I believe we’re making the world a better place. At least on a small scale.
This feels like a throwback to Marc de Roche in his hippie era. And to Che Guevara, who noted that to do something, you have to love it – and that to love something very much, you have to believe in it to the point of madness.
In the next article, I’ll show you what you can do to help the butterflies.
Darina Schweizer
Senior Editor
Darina.Schweizer@digitecgalaxus.chI love anything with four legs or roots - especially my shelter cats Jasper and Joy and my collection of succulents. My favourite things to do are stalking around with police dogs and cat coiffeurs on reportages or letting sensitive stories flourish in garden brockis and Japanese gardens.
Home + Kitchen
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Garden
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Pets
Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest
Background information
Interesting facts about products, behind-the-scenes looks at manufacturers and deep-dives on interesting people.
Show all
