Swiss Stories

Michael Weber, head of VariCom, and Danilo Christen, creater of the variety © Sedrik Nemeth

The Fred® pear – the fruit of perseverance and expertise

Environment
The perfect pear does exist. It's Swiss and it's called Fred®. Launched at the beginning of 2018, the fruit is the culmination of an 18-year breeding programme carried out by researchers at Agroscope, Switzerland's centre of excellence for agricultural research. And at the heart of the process: the desire to produce the ideal pear to satisfy growers, sellers and buyers alike.
Elias Läderach

Swiss Chocolate Masters winner

Society
For Elias Läderach, dreaming up new chocolate creations is about much more than just exquisite taste. It's also about art and innovation – from the initial design to tasting trials and the final hand-crafted creation. It's a process of regular self-scrutiny and a chance to use creativity to translate tradition into something new. Elias' win at the World Chocolate Masters in Paris proves how Swiss chocolatiers can reach even greater heights – in innovation.
Airheart Copyright Airheart

8 innovative Swiss games

Society
In today’s society, gaming apps, eSports, online games and even virtual reality games have changed the way the Swiss play. And with its top science universities and creative thinkers, Switzerland is well positioned to be a key ‘player’ in the gaming world of tomorrow.
Artist's impression of the space telescope © ESA/ATG medialab

Switzerland in space

Science & Education
Switzerland is leading the consortium of 11 European countries participating in the CHEOPS mission. The CHEOPS telescope was launched in 2019 to learn more about the little-known world of exoplanets. This is the first mission Switzerland has led within the European Space Agency (ESA), although it has been a member since the agency's inception. Other missions are in the pipeline – more on that below.
lerichti

Inside @lerichti's Instagram

Society
Today, we turn our attention to @lerichti. His account is not devoted to images of Swiss mountains but to Switzerland's architecture.
SSW

Seedstars, an idea born in Switzerland

Economics

When most people think of emerging markets, they still assume them to be hubs of low-cost manufacturing and unskilled labour.

Alisee de Tonnac

by Alisée de Tonnac

Nicolas de Flüe

St Nicholas of Flüe, a genuine Swiss legend

History
St Nicholas of Flüe could take first place in the Swiss hall of fame. Nicholas of Flüe, also known as Brother Klaus, was a legendary figure in his lifetime and remains one to this day. Portrait of a peacemaker who is admired far beyond Switzerland's borders.