This section contains an overview of the most relevant commemorations in Switzerland.
28 April 2025
To mark the centenary of Rudolf Steiner’s death, a major exhibition (Aus des Kosmos Geist entzünden. Rudolf Steiner – Leben und Werk 1861-1925) of his life and work, including artworks, photographs, documents, and works of art, will be on display at the Goetheanum from 28 March 2025 to 1 January 2026. The exhibition is in … Read more » “Kindled out of cosmic spirit” Rudolf Steiner – Life and Work 1861-1925″
21 April 2025
The first large Rhine ship arrived in Basel in 1904. The Rhine port of St. Johann was expanded in 1906 and dissolved in 2011. A second Basel Rhine port was built in Kleinhüningen between 1919 and 1942. Basel, Schifflände, a medieval and contemporary landing place for ships. Coat of arms plaque from the Rheinlagerhaus (1682, … Read more » “The corridor Rotterdam-Basel-Genua and the Swiss Rhine Ports”
1 April 2025
The former Schönthal monastery (Kloster) near Langenbruck (canton of Basel-Landschaft) is idyllically situated in the middle of 100 hectares of forest, meadows, and Jura landscape. Today, art and nature dialogue on the site of the medieval monastery. The site features a freely accessible sculpture park showcasing over 30 contemporary works of art, rotating exhibitions, and … Read more » “Kloster Schönthal Association 25 years old”
20 March 2025
Following World War I (1914-1918), Switzerland underwent significant changes in its politics, art, and society. For example, the Kurverein of Weggis opened the Weggis Lido open-air swimming pool in 1919. It was the first facility in Switzerland where men and women bathed together on the open beach, i.e., not segregated in their separate areas. The … Read more » “The Swimming Pool Weggis – from a Disgrace to the Lido-Hallenbad”
17 March 2025
The Basler Fasnacht is over again (March 10-12, 2025)—or not. On three consecutive ‘Bummelsonntage’ after March 13, the active participants again present themselves to the public with their drums, piccolos, wind, and percussion instruments in cliques or informal formations. However, they do this without Fasnacht costumes, cortège, or lanterns. This practice symbolises an essential social … Read more » “Lanterns, a Basler centenarian and a digital Fasnachtmuseum”
24 February 2025
The card game Jass originates from another Republic: the Republic of the Seven United Provinces. Mercenaries from the Eidgenossenschaft who served the Republic introduced the game to Switzerland in the late 17th century. In the Netherlands, the game is called ‘klaverjassen’. Bridge did not develop until centuries later, in the 1920s. It is called bridge … Read more » “The Swiss Bridgebond is 75 years old and celebrates this anniversary on 19 March”
27 December 2024
The trail (Sentier des Toblerones) owes its name to a line of fortifications built during the mobilisation of 1939-45. “Toblerones” is the name the population has given to an anti-tank fortification whose elements are reminiscent of the famous Swiss chocolate brand. The so-called Promenthouse fortified line is based on a natural obstacle formed by the … Read more » “The Toblerone Trail, Château de Prangins and the Pink Villa”
9 December 2024
France defeated the Eidgenossen of the Swiss Confederates in Italy in 1515 (Marignano, near Milan). The peace treaty was signed on 29 November 1516 in the hôtel de Ville/Rathaus in bilingual Fribourg/Freiburg. The eternal Peace (la Paix éternelle, der ewige Friede) lasted until the French invasion of 1798. The City Hall (Hôtel de Ville). The … Read more » “The City Hall of Fribourg and the Eternal Peace”
23 September 2024
1916 was not just the year in which Dada was founded. Dada was founded in Zurich on the initiative of artists who had fled the First World War (1914-1918). In their eyes, the old art world had contributed to making this catastrophe possible and had failed to prevent it. Swiss citizens also joined the movement. … Read more » “Dada and the Rowing Club Aviron Romand in Zurich”
4 July 2024
Basel Zoo celebrated its 150th anniversary on 3 July. Switzerland’s first zoological garden opened in Basel on 3 July 1874. The Basel Ornithological Society founded the Zoo—also known as Zolli—to awaken and promote the interest of Basel’s urban population in nature and the local animal world. When it opened, it focused on native animals such … Read more » “No birthday without a cake in Zoo Basel”
