ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne

4 July 2024

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, ETH Zürich, or ETHZ) has been in existence since 1855. It was founded as a polytechnic institute (Eidgenössische Polytechnische Schule) in 1855 with five departments: architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, chemistry, forestry, and mining. ETH Zurich (not to be confused with the cantonal University of Zurich) currently … Read more » “ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne”

Sgraffiti in Engadine

10 April 2023

Engadine (canton Grisons) houses are often decorated with geometric motifs, drawings, animals or sayings. Italian artists introduced the technique in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, following the Bündner expansion into Italian territories. The artists wanted to earn money, and the fresco technique was well-known in Italy. It was a successful export product. The technology is … Read more » “Sgraffiti in Engadine”

Multilingual Switzerland

7 March 2023

“Les langues ne sont pas neutres. Elles incarnent des cultures, elles imprègnent les mentalités, elles engendrent des affinités, elles aiguillonnent des susceptibilités, elles expriment des sensibilités, elles traduisent des manières de raisonner, de penser, de vivre et elles influencent et déterminent même la conception que les citoyens ont du rôle de l’État par rapport aux … Read more » “Multilingual Switzerland”

Romansh or German-speaking Communes?

11 January 2023

Available in  German and Dutch

Forum of Bilingualism

7 November 2022

At a time when (young) Swiss citizens from German-speaking cantons sometimes have to communicate with their fellow citizens in French-speaking cantons in English, the Forum of Bilingualism (Forum du bilingualism/ Forum für Zweisprachigkeit) in Biel/Bienne is not a luxury. Citizens of the canton Grisons (the only trilingual canton: German, Italian and Romansh) and the Italian-speaking … Read more » “Forum of Bilingualism”

Bridge in Switzerland

13 August 2022

The Netherlands and Switzerland were republics of seven sovereign provinces of the Netherlands and thirteen sovereign cantons of the Confederation (Eidgenossenschaft) until 1795 and 1798, respectively. Both were recognised as independent states by the Peace of Münster/Westphalia in 1648. Close diplomatic, military, and commercial contacts existed between countries and their cantons/provinces. Swiss (Protestant) mercenaries in … Read more » “Bridge in Switzerland”

A Country of Museums

30 June 2022

The first museums originated in Renaissance Italy during the fifteenth century. Rome and Greece’s political and constitutional models were widely admired, and the (re)discovery of Greek and Roman authors increased awareness of the ancient world. Many citizens began to collect items and display them. Antique objects (coins, statues, everyday objects, inscriptions and other artefacts) were … Read more » “A Country of Museums”

Quadrilingual Switzerland and Identity

29 June 2022

The Confederation of thirteen sovereign cantons (1513-1798) was a German-speaking alliance. Fribourg was the only bilingual (French and German) canton. Multilingual Switzerland was created by the French occupier in 1798. The hegemony of German disappeared. The Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) recognised the equality of the Italian, French and German languages. Laws and decrees were published in … Read more » “Quadrilingual Switzerland and Identity”

The Report of John Bowring on Switzerland

5 April 2022

The Report on the Commerce and Manufactures of Switzerland by John Bowring was presented to both Houses of Parliament in 1835 and published in 1836. Bowring (1792-1872) visited Switzerland and most of its cantons in 1835. He wrote this Report based on his impressizons and visits and meetings with politicians, industrialists, manufacturers, traders, citizens, farmers, … Read more » “The Report of John Bowring on Switzerland”

Wintertourism Engadin

27 March 2022

The most significant growth of tourism in Switzerland took place in Engadine (Canton Graubünden) in particular took place between 1870 and 1914. A stay in a Grand Hotel or spa was prestigious. Scuol, Vulpera Sils Maria and, for example, St. Moritz were among the most popular destinations. Many Grand Hotels were built. One initiative deserves … Read more » “Wintertourism Engadin”