How many Swiss abroad know why this flag is not a true Swiss flag?

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) -The number of dual nationals in Switzerland is contributing strongly to the continuing rise in the number of the Swiss abroad, according to the federal government, which 16 February issued the latest figures. Seventy-two percent of all Swiss abroad are dual nationals.

At the end of 2009 Switzerland had 684,974 citizens living outside the country, an increase of 100,000 since the year 2000. The greatest increases were in France and Germany. Some 60 percent of Swiss abroad live in the European Community.

The largest community of Swiss abroad is found in France (179,106), followed by Germany (76,565), Italy (48,638), Great Britain (28,861), Spain (23,802) and Austria (14,194). Outside Europe, the largest number of Swiss nationals live in the USA (74,966), Canada (38,866), Australia (22,757), Argentina (15,624), Brazil (14,653), Israel (14,251) and South Africa (9,035).

The opening ceremony will take place at Vancouver's BC Place (photo: Vanoc/Conav)

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Figure skater Stéphane Lambiel will carry the flag for Switzerland during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. The ceremony starts at 18:00 Friday 12 February (03:00 Saturday, Swiss time). The 25-year-old from Saxon, canton Valais, won the silver medal at the 2006 Torino Games and he was twice World Champion, in 2005 and 2006.

Links to other sites: Swiss Olympic, Stéphane Lambiel (Fre), Vancouver 2010 official Games site

Subtle with the Swiss flags

Expect fireworks

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Switzerland celebrates its National Day 1 August, a time when families tend to get together and the Swiss return to their “home” towns, which is not necessarily where they grew up, but the town where their family is registered.

Watch those fireworks

Expect bonfires and fireworks: some 1,700 tons of pyrotechnics are sold every year. Keep in mind the federal government’s recommendations to avoid these if you have cardiovascular or respiratory system problems because they sharply increase, for a short period, the fine dust particles in the air. And if you’re setting off fireworks, remember that they provoke serious stress for animals, Bern says, so don’t do it near them.

The annual August holiday provokes on average 250 accidents related to fireworks, and fires cause some CHF4 million in damage. Safety tips, Swiss Bureau for the Prevention of Accidents (Fre)

The bonfires are part of an old Swiss tradition, particularly in the Alps, where one village could warn another of impending attacks by lighting a bonfire, easily visible at a great distance.

Homeward bound, cheaply

The CFF rail company is offering a special “Homecoming days” deal  to all Swiss to take the train for CHF15, 1 and 2 August, when they return to their place of origin, as it’s known. The deal is good between your home town and your place of residence, as they appear on a Swiss identity card or passport.

The meaning of 1 August, Switzerland’s National Day

Go back to 1291 for the source of this holiday that recalls a day in early August, over 700 years ago, when three independent republics signed a pact to protect each other. (Ed. note: if you’re feeling weak on knowledge of Swiss politics, geography, culture and history, a new board game in English will be launched 1 August, Helvetiq, offering 312 question/answer cards to make you an expert. See our GenevaLunch review of the game)

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