Swiss Stories

The World Economic Forum: A Swiss success story

The World Economic Forum: A Swiss success story

Society
Established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation headquartered in Geneva, the World Economic Forum has evolved into a global platform where leaders from diverse sectors address pressing challenges. In all its activities, the Forum seeks to demonstrate entrepreneurship in the public interest while upholding the highest standards of governance. From facilitating historic agreements helping to end conflicts, the Forum has had a considerable impact on global and local concerns over the years.
Carl Lutz in his office at the United States legation © Archives of Contemporary History, ETH Zurich / Agnes Hirschi

Carl Lutz - The Swiss man who saved tens of thousands of Jews

History
Carl Lutz
Carl Lutz, a diplomat stationed in Hungary, led the largest diplomatic rescue operation of World War II. A look back at a personality who is still too little known.
Monte Rosa Hut SAC

The Swiss mountain huts

Society
The mountain huts operated by the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) are unique in Switzerland and the world. Since the middle of the 19th century they have offered shelter and lodging in some of the most rugged mountain areas of the Swiss Alps. There are currently 153 SAC huts with a capacity for some 9,000 people in the Swiss Alps – from emergency bivouacs at altitudes above 4,000 metres, to self-catering huts, to mountain chalets that offer hikers ample creature comforts. SAC huts are open to all hikers and mountaineers.
Virtual Reality

Giving virtual reality the Swiss touch

Science & Education
Swiss start-ups are making the most of the boom in immersive technologies.
Rio de Janeiro

OMEGA & Viva Rio

Society
OMEGA, the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic Games, has concluded its successful Community Countdown with Viva Rio. The #OMEGAVIVARIO partnership began in August 2015, with 12 social projects planned over 12 months that would benefit vulnerable young people in the Olympic Games host city.
Hackbrett © Verband Hackbrett Schweiz

Swiss folk music: 5 traditional instruments

Society
Yodelling, the iconic style of song that echoes through the Swiss mountains, is well known, as is the accordion and the alphorn. However, there are other original instruments in the Swiss folk tradition. Here is a non-exhaustive inventory.

by Tatiana Tissot

Tschäggättä © Wikipedia

5 winter traditions you won’t find outside of Switzerland

History
Onlookers might call these happenings a nightmarish freak show. But for the Swiss, they are a normal part of winter: living traditions that have barely changed for generations.
Dimitri Burkhard

by Dimitri Burkhard