Swiss Stories

Hugo Koblet

Swiss cycling pros

Society
Switzerland is not just a nation of tennis players and skiers. The competitive cycling scene has also often seen Swiss pros in the lead in the world's most important races. Five powerful pedallers: introducing Switzerland's leading cyclists.
ACE expedition

When Switzerland enhances polar research

Science & Education
The Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) typifies the Swiss grass-roots approach to research. It is the result of an initiative by passionate and dedicated individuals who work with Swiss research institutions. The Swiss government is delighted to be able to support such initiatives.
Gordon Bennett

Switzerland, home of ballooning

Society
Although ballooning in Switzerland is most commonly associated with the record-breaking exploits of the Piccard family, its history actually dates back to 1788 when a hydrogen-filled balloon took to the air from Basel.
Le violon à l’honneur à Genève

Violins take centre stage in Geneva

Society
For the first time in its history, the world's leading international competition for young violinists will be held in Switzerland. The Menuhin Competition, known as the 'Olympics of the Violin' will see the 44 top young violinists worldwide compete in Geneva from 12–22 April. This year two Swiss artists – Sumina Studer and Anatol János Toth – have made the competition, selected from over 300 young violinists from all over the world.
Konzertsaal Tonhalle Maag, Zürich, Switzerland © Unsplash @gwundrig

Swiss choral singing: a tradition that unites

Society
Singing together is about meeting, communicating, sharing a part of yourself and connecting with like-minded people. The importance of Switzerland's choral singing tradition is reflected in the number of young people making up today's ensembles.
Les informations générées s’affichent en temps réel sur un écran au bord du terrain, qui remplit aussi la fonction d’arbitre.

The tennis court of the future

Economics
The company, Technis, has designed a fully tactile court surface capable of recording where the ball bounces and the position of the players on the court. The information is displayed on a screen in real time.
absinthe

Absinthe: Swiss local product leaves behind its shady past

Society
Switzerland's Val-de-Travers is the birthplace of absinthe and has strong links to this local product that was banned for many years. An interactive exhibition in Môtiers in the canton of Neuchâtel tells its extraordinary story, while some distillers have set about seeking a PGI. We take a closer look at a spirit with a colourful past.

by Tatiana Tissot