Swiss Stories

Smart City Winterthur © Michael Lio

Switzerland’s smart cities, a valuable export

Science & Education
Energy, mobility, architecture and business: thanks to technological innovations, the city of the future will be less polluted and more pleasant. In Switzerland, as in other parts of the world, the urban ecosystem is reinventing itself to improve the quality of life in the cities.
Zanziba

Swiss drones for mapping Tanzania

Science & Education
With one of the highest rates of population growth in the world, this east African country has acquired dozens of minidrones produced by the Swiss company SenseFly to map its territory.
Joseph Favre

Joseph Favre, Swiss pioneer in culinary excellence

History
The Swiss chef and culinary writer Joseph Favre died unknown to the general public. It was nearly a century before his important place in culinary history came to be acknowledged.

by Prof. Albert Mudry

François Giovanola

The sound of Switzerland

Society
You may have already heard bells reverberating through Swiss pastures, in the mountains or maybe on a farm. Unless there is a church nearby, the sound of bells in Switzerland signals the presence of animals grazing. Bells, as symbols of traditional folklore, serve as shorthand for Swissness.

by Lea Huszno

Coupe Spengler © Keystone

Davos: ice hockey capital for 90 years

History
In the final week of the year, the resort of Davos is traditionally in thrall to the Spengler Cup. 29 teams have now added their names to the role of honour of this legendary Swiss ice hockey tournament, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2016. Fierce competition, famous personalities, a fabulous atmosphere generated by passionate fans, a superb programme of fringe events, as well as winners and losers on the ice itself, all make for a unique ice hockey festival.
Swiss cuckoo Loetscher

A little birdie from Switzerland?

History
"Watch the birdie." This phrase once used by photographers to capture the attention of their subjects could just as easily apply to cuckoo clocks. Who among us has never heard the call of a cuckoo mark the passing of another hour? The cuckoo clock has a history dating back centuries that first began in the Black Forest area of Germany, but which was eventually to take flight in Switzerland. Let's shed some light on this funny little bird that conquered the world!

by Dimitri Kas

Saype - ONU

Saype and his giant paintings for solidarity

Environment
Saype, the most Swiss of French graffiti artists, has a message that is both humanistic and ecological. Through his work, he aims to "make an impact on people, without impacting nature."