When I arrived here a number of years ago, there were a several artists painting the Züri-See and other pleasant scenes and selling their results around Bürkliplatz. Where are they now ? I was prompted to this by recent trips to Prague and other worthy cities where street artists are prevelant.

dave

I know what you mean Dave, there used to be this great guy who just settled stone upon stone out on the shore of lake Zurich. Maybe the permits have been banned

Maybe it makes the place look dirty for the Swiss mafia that is incharge of such things.

There may actually be some truth in that. Try and sell ice creams by the lake and you will find out very quickly...

dave

Dave in a country with such stingent hygene rules and license cost's, i think it's only fair that people who have gone through the whole legal procedure should be protected from "fly by night's. I'm all for business acumen and initiative but those who do it by the book shouldn't suffer financial loss through illegal actions.
Oldhand

I'm not quite with you here: protectionism, cartels and the local mafia, don't make for customer satisfaction. If I wanted to sell ice creams by the lake, why shouldn't I provided I was a legal trader ? Compete or die. My ice cream may be better; My line in chat might be more friendly; My flavours might be more varied; my prices might be cheaper. I don't see why I should be prevented from making a living just to maintain the status quo.

dave

I've obviously missread your post, i was thinking of the fleeting salesmen who illegally sell their ware during festivals etc.
Oldhand

Just a small point to add here. You can't even hand out leaflets without a permit, and it work out at something like a few hundred francs per day. I don't know how much a permit costs for a street entertainer or artist, but i'm sure it not affordable for most.

Personally I'd like to see a bit more "colour" in terms of street artists, it gives one a sense that something is going on and makes the place more vibrant. Making life a little easier for the artists and entertainers might not be a totally bad thing.