Swiss Stories

Caran d’Ache

Caran d’Ache: Rewriting History

Society
It started with a humble cedar wood pencil. Then Caran d’Ache made history with its iconic 849 ballpoint pen and release of the world’s first watercolour pencils. Today, the Swiss stationery company continues to make an impression on generations of artists, professionals and children.

by Olivia Chang

© 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

©️ Swiss Armed Forces Digital Media Centre, Nadine Strub

Haute cuisine in camouflage trousers: the Swiss Armed Forces culinary team

Society
The Swiss Armed Forces culinary team is repeatedly voted one of the best in its field, often far outdoing non-military culinary teams in international contests. How can that be? The answer lies in the militia system that has shaped Switzerland for centuries.

by Michael Senn

Metavers

Zurich becomes a global hub for the metaverse

Science & Education
Switzerland is playing a key role in building the next dimension of the internet: the metaverse. Thanks to the influence of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Microsoft, Facebook, Google, Disney Research and Magic Leap have all opened offices or research laboratories in Switzerland's economic capital.
The Niesen

The Niesen – Switzerland's highest pyramid

Environment
You don't have to go to Egypt to contemplate the pyramids: to see one you need go no further than the Niesen in the Bernese Alps – an almost perfectly geometric peak which has inspired many painters.
© Claudio Bader

The forbidding side of Val Bavona, frozen in time

History
Val Bavona is one of the wildest valleys in the Swiss Alps. Bordering Ticino, it has remained frozen in the 16th century. The valley is only inhabited in summertime and has opted to remain true to its rustic roots, even shunning electricity.
Cathédrale de Lausanne

The Lausanne tradition carrying on in female form

Society
Ever since 1405, a long line of night watchmen have taken it in turns to call out the time from the top of Lausanne's city cathedral. It was only in August 2021 that a woman became part of this historic tradition.

by Lea Huszno