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.
It features an overview of the country’s museums and exhibitions, cultural events, monuments, rich cultural heritage, commemorations and magnificent nature. The relationship between Switzerland and the European Union is also covered.
The country’s 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 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 Switzerland’s multicultural, multilinguistic and cosmopolitan aspects.
Events
Sounding Soil
What does the earthworm say to the springtail when they meet beneath the carrot field? Can you hear the grass growing? What are the differences in sound between a vegetable field with organic soil and one with conventional ones? The exposition Sounding Soil (au Centre Pro Natura de Champ-Pittet, Cheseaux-Noréaz, canton de Vaud) answers these … Read more » “Sounding Soil”
Commemorations
Mount Rigi Railways 150 Years
Number double 007, no just number 7, but just as legendary. To commemorate the 150th Anniversary of Mount Rigi Railways (Rigi Bahnen AG), the steam locomotive Number 7 will be restored and brought back into operation in 2021. On May 21st, 2021, exactly 150 years after its maiden voyage, the locomotive will make the journey … Read more » “Mount Rigi Railways 150 Years”
Monuments
Grand-Hotel Giessbach
The Grand-Hotel Giessbach is located near the famous Giessbach-waterfalls between the mountains and the Lake of Brienz. Many visitors were rowed across the lake to the waterfalls around 1800 by the famous Brienz women rowers. The Giessbach-waterfalls were lit in the evening from 1840. The Grand-Hotel Giessbach was renovated by the architect Horace Edouard Davinet’s … Read more » “Grand-Hotel Giessbach”
Multicultural and Cosmopolitan Switzerland
News NewslettersThe origin of the French, German, Italian and Romansh languages and cultures will be addressed. The Roman Empire and the Middle Ages are the crucial periods. The contributions also pay attention to the multicultural, multilingual and cosmopolitan society.
Agenda
Making the World. Lived World
14 April 2021
The topic of two exhibitions at two museums in Basel focuses on the humans and how they shape the world they inhabit. The focus at the Museum of Ethnography (26.01.2021 – 23.01.2022) is on the following themes: relationships, orientation, traces, and imaginations. Old European masters, African masks, Asian shadow plays along with an orator’s stool … Read more » “Making the World. Lived World”
Constitution and Democracy
The Presidency
12 January 2021
The main governmental provisions are contained in Articles 174-179 of the Federal Constitution. These describe the appointment and number of members of the government (seven), Their term of office (four years), the principles of collegiality and equality, the tasks and appointment of the Federal Chancellery, and the tasks and appointment of the Head of State. … Read more » “The Presidency”
Latest news
The Aubette in Basel
19 March 2021
The Aubette in Strasbourg ? Wrong, the Museum of Art (Kunstmuseum) in Basel. The museum pays attention to Sophie Taeuber (1889-1943). The Swiss born artist (Davos) studied applied arts in St. Gall and Munich. The British Arts and Craft Movement strongly influenced her and she was committed to the manual craftsmanship and the beauty of … Read more » “The Aubette in Basel”
Nature and Tourism
(Nederlands) De koninklijke Rigi
1 April 2021
The Royal Rigi (Canton Lucerne) is a holiday and excursion paradise nowadays. It is known, among other things, for the world’s first cogwheel railway (21 May 1871) and today’s mountain railways and aerial cable cars. The Rigi (1 800 metres) owes its title to Albrecht von Bonstetten (1443-1504). He described the mountain in 1479 as … Read more » “(Nederlands) De koninklijke Rigi”