The meaning of 1 August, Switzerland’s national day, and where people celebrate
Some Swissness - Photo Ellen Wallace
Swiss Alps near Leuk, canton Valais, morning of 1 August
Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) 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.
The Letter of Alliance was signed by Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald (today Unterwald is formed by cantons Nidwalden and Obwalden.)
That initial agreement paved the road for 26 additional cantons, or federal states, to join what became the Swiss Confederation in 1848.
Forty-three years after the creation of the Confederation the Swiss celebrated for the first time, in Bern in 1891, the signing of the agreement.
It took another 149 years, and a public referendum, before it became a recognized federal holiday in 1994.
How the Swiss celebrate their national day
Fireworks Saturday night in Sierre, canton Valais
It is a “new holiday” and many traditions are still being formed, so celebrations are mostly organized at a local level without major national events.
The president of the Confederation or one of the members of the Federal Council generally participate in a celebration at the Ruetli meadow – called Gruetli in French and German – which is considered the birthplace of the Swiss Confederation (and a great place for hiking.)
Where to celebrate
The most complete listing of celebrations across Switzerland can be found on the Swiss National Tourist Office website. Many events are posted in English but you’ll find more results if you search in French or German.
The GenevaLunch events page also has information on where to see fireworks in cantons Geneva and Vaud, and our news page carries information on fireworks restrictions.
To learn more about the country, as part of your holiday celebrations, the federal web site ch.ch has a wealth of additional information and links to Swiss resources.
And, if you’re feeling weak on knowledge of Swiss politics, geography, culture and history, a new board game in English, Helvetiq, offers 312 question/answer cards to make you an expert. See our GenevaLunch review of the game.
Enjoy the holiday!
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)
New Alinghi 5 on Lake Geneva 28 July, dwarfing other craft: it will sail from Lausanne to Geneva 1 August with a fleet of local pleasure boats
Lake Geneva region, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – It’s hard to beat the temperature range, 15-27C, or the clear skies that Meteoswiss is offering us Thursday to Saturday, with Geneva’s annual summer festival getting underway Thursday and the Swiss national holiday Saturday (see GenevaLunch events pages for details). Organize your picnics and barbecues for the start of the weekend because by Sunday afternoon too much of a good thing is forecast to degenerate into thunderstorms.
Photo, Alinghi: click to view larger. GenevaLunch feature on the new, high tech boat specially made for the next America’s Cup sailing race.
Title: Swiss National Day
Location: Switzerland
Link out: Click here
Description: Celebrations of the Swiss National Day are usually organized at the municipal or village level.
The most complete listing of celebrations across Switzerland can be found at the official website of the Swiss National Tourist Office. Many events are posted in English but you’ll find more events if you search in French or German.
Find out how the Swiss celebrate it and why in GenevaLunch’s news section.
Enjoy the holiday.
Date: 01 Aug 2009
