Swiss Stories | House of Switzerland

The Swiss football brand

After advancing from the qualifiers to the final stages of the World Cup in 1994 (for the first time since 1966), Swiss football changed forever. Nowadays Switzerland sends its footballers off to play for England, Germany and Italy.

by Julien Gremaud

Bruno Pravato — The Swiss apprenticeship: a driver for success
Science & Education

Serving an apprenticeship can lead to future career success – whether as a federal councillor, a festival director or the best bricklayer in Europe.

by Lea Huszno

SESAME, the CERN of the Middle East — SESAME, CERN of Middle East
Science & Education

In One Thousand and One Nights, ‘open sesame’ are the magic words that allow Ali Baba to access a hidden treasure of untold riches. In the 1990s this classic tale inspired physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva to ask whether the CERN model of science and peace could be replicated in the Middle East. It took years of hard work and complex negotiations to bring the dream to life. The new centre is called SESAME.

by Niccolò Iorno

copyright Guillaume Megevand — The Swiss athlete who runs like a Kenyan
Society

Julien Wanders from Geneva has been training in Kenya since his late teens. Now, at the age of 23, he is already on first-name terms with the world's top runners. This is his inspiring story.

by Bertrand Monnard

West of Juba, camp of Dulamaya. A distribution of seeds and tools kits is about to start. Displaced families are starting to gather close to an ICRC vehicule. — The Geneva Conventions: 70 years old and as relevant as ever
History

Switzerland has long been famous for its chocolate, watches and idyllic landscapes – and also for its humanitarian tradition. A signal example was its key role in the adoption of the Geneva Conventions, which are celebrating their 70th anniversary this year. Since their adoption in 1949, the Conventions have saved countless lives in armed conflicts, but ensuring compliance with them remains a complex and long-term undertaking. Two Swiss Humanitarian Aid specialists share their insights from the field.

Andri Ragettli — Andri Ragettli: working out under lockdown
Society

Andri Ragettli, the Swiss freestyle skiing phenomenon, is almost more famous for his crazy parkour workout videos than for his World Cup wins. Now he has devised a 'stay at home' parkour workout for people under lockdown.

Centovalli Express, Intragna, Ticino. © Swiss Travel System AG — The hidden gems of Switzerland’s public transport
Environment

Gornergrat? Been there. Glacier Express? Done that. Fans of Switzerland already know and love the country’s public transport gems. But there are many trips and means of transport that are less well known. So, now’s the perfect time to discover some of these hidden treasures – and Switzerland has plenty.