The Swiss Spectator focuses on the history and culture of Switzerland, a remarkable country with a robust business environment, a relatively well-functioning (direct) democracy and respect for the rule of law. There is an overview of museums and exhibitions, cultural events, monuments, the rich cultural heritage, commemorations and the beautiful nature. The relationship between Switzerland and the European Union is also covered. The surrounding regions have always played a crucial role in Swiss history and culture: Northern Italy (Valley of Aoste, Lombardy and Vinschgau (Venosta), Eastern France (Franche-Comté, Alsace, Haute-Savoie and Savoie), Southern Germany (Lake Constance region) and Austria (Vorarlberg). Four periods and subjects are being covered: the Roman Empire and the process of romanisation, the Middle Ages (from the Kingdoms of Burgundy to the sixteenth century), the long nineteenth century (1815-1918) and multicultural, multilinguistic and cosmopolitan Switzerland.
Events & Projects
Van Gogh Alive
The paintings and drawings by Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853-1890) are presented in this multimedia show. The project tours around the world and can now be seen in Zurich. In 1880, at the age of 27, Vincent turned to art, after a short career as an art dealer and a study in theology. He was mainly … Read more » “Van Gogh Alive”
Commemorations
Palace in the Air
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first flight between St. Moritz (Canton Grisons) and London. One of the initiators in 1920 was Hans Badrutt (1876-1953), owner of the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel in St. Moritz. The St. Moritz lake (St. Moritzersee) right in front of the hotel was also the location of the first … Read more » “Palace in the Air”
Monuments
The St. Chrischona church
The St. Chrischona church on the Dinkelsberg near the municipality of Bettingen (Canton of Basel-City) is dedicated to St. Chrischona. According to legend (Legenda Aurea), Chrischona and her two sisters survived the (infamous) journey of Ursula and 11 000 virgins to Cologne. Chrischona is said to have died on the spot of the church. Her … Read more » “The St. Chrischona church”
Multicultural and Cosmopolitan Switzerland
News NewslettersThe development of German-, Italian-, French- and Romansh-speaking cantons will be discussed. The Roman Empire and the Middle Ages are the crucial periods. The present-day multicultural, democratic and cosmopolitan society will also be addressed.
Agenda
The Romandie in the Middles Ages
20 February 2020
The exhibition (Aux Sources du Moyen Âge) presents the (cultural) richness and (ethnic) diversity of the period from Late Antiquity to the year 1000 in present-day French-speaking Switzerland or la Romandie. It covers the cantons of Valais, Vaud and Geneva, as well as parts of the cantons of Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Jura. The six centuries … Read more » “The Romandie in the Middles Ages”
Latest news
A multicultural Community
20 February 2020
Grisons/ Graubünden is not only the canton of 150 valleys but also the canton of different cultures and languages. At the spring fair Higa from 21 to 29 March in Chur, there is a multicultural residential community (Wohngemeinschaft) of different languages and cultures. It is the first joint public presentation of four organisations: the Romansh … Read more » “A multicultural Community”
Nature
The Champ-Pittet Centre
12 February 2020
The Champ-Pittet Centre in the Grande Cariçaie presents an interactive exhibition on the forest, the marsh and the three gardens, a natural laboratory and various art exhibitions. The Grande Cariçaie is a large nature reserve on the southeast shore of Lake Neuchâtel. The shoreline of the lake originated from the first water correction in the … Read more » “The Champ-Pittet Centre”