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
Dalì meets Dante in Ascona
The Italian government commissioned Salvador Dalì (1904-1989) in 1950 to illustrate a special edition of la Divina Commedia, the famous work by Dante Alighieri (1265-1321). Dalì made one hundred watercolor woodcuts format A4. They represent thirty-three watercolors each for Hell, Purgatory and Paradise and an introduction. They form an original and unique expression of the … Read more » “Dalì meets Dante in Ascona”
Commemorations
Five Years Beautiful Villages
The Association of the Most Beautiful Swiss Villages (Verein die schönsten Schweizer Dörfer) was founded five years ago. The association was born in Ticino and found its first pearl in the southernmost valley of Graubünden: Poschiavo. On the other side of Switzerland, it found another treasure in the canton of Vaud: Grandson. Eglisau (Canton of … Read more » “Five Years Beautiful Villages”
Monuments
Holidays in Monuments
The Foundation (Stiftung Ferien im Baudenkmal) rents out 42 monumental houses in Switzerland. They are historic monuments with the comforts of the 21st century. The oldest building, Haus Tannen in Morschach in the canton of Schwyz, was built in 1341. The most recent house, the Eichhölzli in Biel, dates from 1933 and is a symbol … Read more » “Holidays in Monuments”
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
Martin Disler in Davos
29 November 2020
Martin Disler (1949-1996) was a draughtsman, painter, sculptor and poet. In his art, he reflects on the vulnerability of human existence. The exhibition (Theater des Überlebens. Martin Disler – die späten Jahre) focuses on the last ten years of his career and relates his paintings and sculptures from this period to the work of Ludwig … Read more » “Martin Disler in Davos”
Constitution and Democracy
The people of the Constitution
21 November 2020
There are two founders of the Swiss Confederation (Confoederatio Helvetica): the people and the cantons, according to the preamble and Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, FC, (Bundesverfassung, Constituziun federala, Constitution fédérale, Costituzione federale). The Swiss people and the cantons (Das Schweizervolk und die Kantone, Il peuple svizzero et les cantons suisses, Il Popolo svizzero … Read more » “The people of the Constitution”
Latest news
Romansh and Lausanne
26 November 2020
The Canton of Graubünden largely German-speaking. It has various Swiss-german dialects, (Schweizerdeutsch) including Höchstalemannische, Walserdeutsche or Zürichdeutsche dialects. Italian is the official language in three areas in the south of Graubünden: Misox (Mesocco) on the border with Ticino in the Mesolcina and Calanca valleys, in Bergell (Bregaglia) and in Puschlav (Valposchiavo). They are Lombard dialects … Read more » “Romansh and Lausanne”
Nature
The natural Toblerones
30 November 2020
The Toblerone Trail owes its name to a line of fortifications built during the mobilization of 1939-45. “Toblerones” is the name the population has given to anti-tank dams whose elements are reminiscent of the famous brand of Swiss chocolate. The so-called Promenthouse fortified line is based on a natural obstacle formed by the courses of … Read more » “The natural Toblerones”