Swiss Stories

© Stadler Rail

Export boom for Swiss rail vehicles

Society
An agile and dynamic Swiss engineering company is enabling tram and train companies to offer efficient and environment-friendly transport options across the globe.

by John Durham

René Burri © Sandro Canperdo

Great figures in Swiss photography

Society
The works of Swiss photographers have a story to tell. They are recognisable the world over and some have even become classics of their genres.
Julien Gremaud

by Julien Gremaud

1

Swiss industrial designer Guberan

Society
Christophe Guberan, a Swiss industrial designer based in Lausanne, is currently teaching product design at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

by Cécile Vulliemin

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

Photo

Drug checking – the Swiss response to the risks of drug use

Society
People have a fundamental responsibility for their own lifestyle and behaviour. The Swiss National Strategy on Addiction is based on this principle. So is the innovative Swiss approach known as 'drug checking'. Its aim is to promote health literacy among drug users by providing them with information on the composition of the drug(s) they take and increasing their awareness of the risks and consequences of their consumption of illegal substances. Although not all drug use can be prevented and many people choose to consume drugs despite the risks, Swiss drug-checking services strive to minimise risks and prevent harmful consequences such as overdosing.

by Infodrog - Swiss Office for the Coordination of Addiction Facilities

Il romancio, quarta lingua nazionale svizzera, è parlato da circa 60 000 persone e ha un suo canale di servizio pubblico, la Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha. © Keystone I Gaetan Bally

Romansh speakers and stories

Society
Bun di, bund de, bien di, bùn gi, allegra! There are five different ways to say hello in Romansh, Switzerland's fourth national language. For some people, Romansh triggers a memory, while for others it's completely new. It's also an integral part of Swiss identity. Despite being a minority language, it rings loud and clear onstage, alongside rap beats heard round the world, on news stations, and in classrooms and parliament. Echoes of Romansh can even be heard from Madagascar to Beijing.
The book : 50 sensational Swiss women

3 sensational Swiss women

Society
Swiss history is replete with exceptional women. A book published this year profiles 50 of them: co-produced by five authors and one illustrator, it is aptly titled 50 Suissesses sensationnelles (50 sensational Swiss women). We have selected the portraits of three Swiss women who, through their convictions and experiences, contributed in their time and continue to do so to this day to advancing the cause of women and gender equality in our society. We hope that these portraits will encourage you to discover others !