Fireworks, Sierre, Switzerland 31 July 2009
Sierre, Valais, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The population of mainly rural Swiss cantons such as Valais, where over the years people have migrated to urban areas to find work, swells during the 1 August holiday period. Two popular ways of celebrating are the local fireworks and bonfires the night of the 31st or 1st (communes choose which one they prefer) and breakfast the next morning with family, good Swiss bread and, in at least one case, freshly picked Valais raspberries.
Happy August 1 holiday!
Breakfast: brioche with Swiss cross and freshly picked Swiss Alps raspberries, 1 August 2009
Image: ©2009 Helvetiq
Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Quick – what’s the Matterhorn called in French and how long is the Swiss president’s term of office? How many cantons does Switzerland have and what makes raclette different from other cheeses? Don’t know?
Whether you are new to Switzerland or have been here all your life it is difficult to truly fit in if you are not familiar with the local cultural heritage. There is a new way to build up knowledge and have fun at the same time: a game called Helvetiq, originally designed to help people applying for Swiss nationality, which comes out in English 1 August, Switzerland’s national holiday. The game came out in French earlier this year and sold 7,000 copies in its first eight months. Among other buyers: communes, including Vevey, Crans-près-
Celigny, Attalens and Penthalaz, have bought it to help local people prepare to become citizens.
