Swiss Stories

Swiss Federal Palace

Dear State Secretary…

Society
To lighten the workload of the members of the Federal Council and relieve them of certain administrative and representational duties, the Government Administration and Organisation Act of 1978, as amended, created the post of titular state secretary. The title of state secretary, which was initially conferred on only two high-ranking diplomats responsible for 'relations with foreign countries', took on increasing importance over the years as additional state secretariats were created. State secretaries are now officially recognised as the highest-ranking civil servants in the country. They support the Federal Council in negotiating international treaties, managing key dossiers and representing Switzerland to the outside world in the thematic areas that fall within their remit. Switzerland currently has five state secretariats , which until 2011 were exclusively headed by men.
© ECAL / Jean-Vincent Simonet

Swiss photography: its museums and institutions

Society
The ‘Rencontres d’Arles’, the world’s foremost photographic festival, attract many major artists of this field, in particular within the walls of ‘Nonante-neuf’, a 100% Swiss venue successfully launched at the 2015 event. Before opening the doors of the former SNCF workshops where it is housed, first a few words about this Swiss ecosystem, an exceptional fabric of museums, institutions and top schools.
Julien Gremaud

by Julien Gremaud

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

Bertrand Gabioud and Yann Sutterlin produce World Championship-winning cheese

Bertrand Gabioud and Yann Sutterlin produce World Championship-winning cheese

Society
The World Championship-winning sheep's cheese is Swiss.

by Lea Huszno

The Winegrowers' Festival 2019, Effeuilleuse costume, Flore Duboux. Fred Merz | Lundi 13 © Fête des Vignerons 2019

Vevey Winegrowers' Festival

Society
5,500 actors and extras, 20,000 spectators, an open-air arena of 14,000 m2, 21 performances. All this in an event that features on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage and which takes place only once in a generation: welcome to the Fête des Vignerons, a festival that pays tribute to winemaking traditions. It will take place in Vevey, in the heart of the Lavaux vineyards, from 18 July to 11 August 2019.
Kevin Germanier © Le Temps

Eco-couturier Kevin Germanier

Society
You won't find any jute dresses in this collection: meet designer Kevin Germanier, the Valais native taking sustainable fashion up a notch with his ultra-glamorous silhouettes made from textile cast-offs.
Rita Christen

Rita Christen, the first female president of the Swiss Mountain Guides Association

Society
Rita Christen is the first woman to be elected president of the Swiss Mountain Guides Association (SMGA) in the organisation's more than 100-year history. This 54-year-old from Disentis is a mountain guide, a lawyer and much more besides.