Mystery Park Ltd.
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"Mysteries of the World" Well on the way to becoming reality
In 2002, Interlaken will become the mecca of the great puzzles of the world

April 16th, 1999

(For a short version: Please click here)

The best-selling Swiss author Erich von Däniken, who has written dozens of books about the unanswered questions and mysteries of our origins, plans to open an adventure park in Interlaken in 2002 devoted to his life-long study of these puzzles. "'Mysteries of the World' is a project that will present these puzzles to the public in a unique place," he says. A project team has worked out a detailed concept and has presented it as an audio-visual display and as a model. Seldom has a project in Switzerland aroused such excitement and found such broad support.

The mysteries of our world abound. They're everywhere, often in the most inaccessible places. For example, there's the riddle of Nazca, 450 km south of Lima, Peru. There, laid out on the Plain of Nazca, are dead- straight lines looking very much like landing strips up to 1.6 km long and 70 metres wide. All explanations concerning the meaning and origin of these giant "scrapings" have been refuted. A further mystery lies in the pyramid of Gizeh in Egypt. It's very age is still disputed. In the literature of ancient India there are references and detailed drawings of flying machines called the Vimanas. The Old Testament and Ethiopian oral tradition also speak of such machines. Until today, they remain unexplained.

Erich von Däniken: a fascination for the public
 For years, Erich von Däniken has collected references to these mysteries. His research has taken him to distant lands. He's braved the terrors of humid jungles and tramped through arid wastes to marvel at these mysteries. Hes described them in books, films and lectures. Nearly eight million people watched both Erich von Däniken specials produced by the European broadcasting outlet RTL. He's sold more than 60 million books and is the world's most successful non-fiction writer.

Unsolved mysteries about our origins
 Questions about our origins concern us all and spur us on to new frontiers. The answers about where we come from are locked in the secrets of this world. Looking for and finding the answers is a vast unresearched area which our young people and coming generations will explore thoroughly.

A meeting place for the whole world
 Erich von Däniken's adventure park "Mysteries of the World" will present the inexplicable and yet all-too-real mysteries of the world with up-to-date multimedia techniques. "Mysteries of the World" won't be a UFO park or an institution of the esoteric. Nor will it be a forum for anti-scientific theories.. It will be a down-to-earth undertaking which tries to bring the scientific community and the general public together to shed light on the world in all its dimensions.

A Foundation for Erich von Däniken's life work
 Thats why Erich von Däniken set up his foundation "Mysteries of the World" in the fall of 1997. Along with money, he contributed a part of his immense archives of manuscripts, slides, films, books and research
to the publicly-controlled foundation. After his death, the remaining part of his work will go to the foundation, making it a rich source of material for the "Mysteries of the World" Park. It will also serve as a contact with similar organizations such as the "Archeology, Astronautics and SETI Research Foundation (A.A.S.)."

Relationship between education and research
 To assure that the park remains alive after Erich von Däniken and that there is a thematic continuity, the A.A.S. is to found an independent research institute called "The great mysteries of the World". It will be a platform for contacts with other research organizations in schools and universities.

No debt capital
 The planning, realization and operation of the project are the responsibility of "Mysteries of the World AG" which was founded in November 1997. An investment of 80 million francs is involved. More than three quarters of that will be used for the construction of the park. The money should be raised if possible through the foundations own resources. Around half will come from shareholder capital, three eighths from sponsors and one eighth from contributions and donations to the foundation

Broad financial support
 At the moment "Mysteries of the World AG" has capital stock of 400'000 francs which will pay for the first stage of work. The shares are held by a wide range of businesses and the tourist sector in the Interlaken region. This indicates a unanimous support for the project. The president of the seven-member board is the Interlaken businessman Oskar Schärz. Erich von Däniken is the president of the Foundation and a representative of the board.

Central location
 In addition to the enthusiasm in Interlaken about "Mysteries of the World", the location of the city was also a deciding factor for the choice of site. Interlaken, with its natural wonders is one of the favorite destinations of tourists in Switzerland. Its situation in the heart of Europe makes it readily accessible by car, train or plane from all directions.

Starting on the project
 Following the approval last December by voters in the municipality of Matten to set up the park at the present military air base, detailed work has now begun. Share capital of 3.6 million francs has to be raised. By the fall of 2000, construction and development permits for the 70,000 m2 area should have been granted so that work can begin.

Past, Present and Future
 The entrance and the main building are connected by a glass-enclosed passageway to the thematic sections. In addition to the actual, life-sized reconstructions of the various mysteries, other displays will show such things as the NASA project for settling Mars. Outside opening hours, screenings of the tourist attractions of the Interlaken region will give visitors an impression of the natural beauties of the area even in bad weather.

Not a lifeless museum
 "We dont want to build a lifeless museum". This is crucial for Erich von Däniken. An array of modern, multimedia techniques will demonstrate the various mysteries to visitors who will become active participants in the exhibits. Children can amuse themselves in a Play Garden. So called Fun Shuttles will offer simulated Mars landings. In the PC Drom, visitors can surf their way through the Mysteries of the World. In fact we're on the Internet already at www.mysterypark.ch. Talk to us and find out how the work is going.

Total planning
 The pavilions will be lightweight construction. The moveable sections stand on concrete blocks and after a few years can be changed for new themes. The Park will thus remain alive and ready to adapt to new developments. "Mysteries of the World" will also take into account the environmental demands of the future and fit harmoniously into the landscape. The overall concept will also cater as much as possible to the needs of the handicapped.

Reasonable price policy
 The scheduled opening of "Mysteries of the World" is Spring 2002 and as many as 300'000 paying visitors are expected in the first year. Up to 2006, that number should increase to 500'000. Average ticket prices are 26 francs which we think is in keeping with the goals and image of the project as an affordable attraction.

Important impact on the region
 "Mysteries of the World" will be open all year and will bring an important tourist stimulus to the Bernese Oberland. Eighty full-time and part-time jobs will be created as well as 70 jobs in the secondary service sector. Also, the area as a whole will be enriched by a new attraction of international importance. The director of the Canton of Bern Economics Department, Elizabeth Zölch, has praised the project saying that "Erich von Däniken's idea is not only a vision but will have an economic impact on the whole Bernese Oberland."

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