THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD

OCTOBER 2009 / NO. 4

Didier Burkhalter elected as Federal Councillor TANT: IMPOR the future Decide if in get u wish to Eicher, Hunger, Happy & Co.: yo Review» the «Swiss new trends in folk by post or e-mail.14) (Page ’s getting older The taste of Switzerland.

MySwitzerland.com/aso The new cookbook from Betty Bossi. Orders are sent post-free.

In English for the first time! EDITORIAL CONTENTS 3

Switzerland – a nation of culture 5 any foreigners still only associate Switzerland with magnificent moun- Mailbag tains and delicious chocolate, as a study commissioned by Presence Switzerland Mhas once again shown. People do not really seem to be aware of just how much 5 culture there is to be found in Switzerland that they can enjoy along with the mountains and chocolate. Few other countries have as much to offer culturally as Switzerland in all Games: Helvetiq areas of the arts. Is the Culture and Convention Centre Lucerne the most modern and magnificent 7 concert hall in the world, or, at the very least, does it possess the best acoustics? The Images: The panorama of Thun “Salle blanche”, designed by the brilliant French architect, Jean Nouvel, is most definitely an architectural gem with outstanding sound. And the Lucerne Festival is perhaps the 8 world’s most prestigious musical event – and not just since Claudio Abbado began bring- Switzerland’s ageing population ing the finest orchestral musicians together each year in his Lucerne Festival Orchestra to mesmerise the international music world with this extraordinary ensemble. The mu- 11 sical elite take the stage for five weeks in Lucerne - a showcase event for all the great or- 100 years of Pro Patria chestras, conductors and soloists. When the “Salle modulable” is completed in a few years’ time, even opera will be performed in the summer in Lucerne. And all this will be achieved 12 with hardly any government funding. While the Verbier Festival primarily aims to promote young artists, Gstaad’s Men- Politics: Referenda uhin Festival has developed, over its 53-year history, from its origins in the church of Saanen into a major event featuring more than 40 performances and attracting 20,000 Regional news visitors. Since the year 2000, the large symphony concerts have been held in a 1800-seat marquee. 70% of visitors to the Gstaad festival attend regularly, 13 and 76% come from Switzerland. Politics: Federal Council election Prince, in addition to many other artists, flew in especially from the USA for two exclusive performances at the Montreux 14 Festival this year for a fee of CHF 1.5 million. The open-air Notes from Parliament events, from Berne’s Gurten Festival to Sittertobel in St. Gallen, from Interlaken to Frauenfeld, and from Gampel to Zofingen, al- 16 ways boast fi rst-rate line-ups. Basel, the city of art, attracted hundreds of thousands of visi- Eicher, Hunger, Happy & Co.: Heinz Eckert New trends in Swiss folk tors wishing to see world-class art. Van Gogh’s landscapes could be marvelled at in the Kunstmuseum, while Giacometti’s magnificent work attracted vis- 18 itors from all over the world to the Beyeler Foundation in Riehen. The “From Cézanne Interview: Stefan Meierhans – to Rothko” exhibition was held in Lausanne, while “From Courbet to Picasso” was on the price inspector display at the Giannada Foundation in . 20 offers musical festival weeks and traditional theatrical performances. And OSA news Locarno has the fi lm festival. There is art and culture aplenty. 22 The splendid calendar of events, which Switzerland offers twelve months a year, is Discovering Switzerland possible thanks to the country’s general prosperity. Only a wealthy nation has sponsors able to spend large amounts of money on culture, even in times of economic crisis. World- 23 class culture does not come cheap. Ultimately there also has to be a demand for events, Echo which can sometimes be expensive, and an audience who can afford them. We should not take the large spending on cultural events all over Switzerland for Cover picture: (FDP) has been granted. It allows Switzerland to stand out, making us a cultural superpower. elected as ’s successor in the Federal Council and takes over the Department HEINZ ECKERT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF of Home Affairs. Photo: Keystone . 4 No IMPRINT: “Swiss Review”, the magazine for the Swiss abroad, is in its 36th year of publication and is published in German, French, Italian, English and Spanish in 14 regional editions. It has a total circulation of 408 000. Regional news appears four times a year. ■ EDITORS: Heinz Eckert (EC), Editor-in-Chief; Rolf Ribi (RR); René Lenzin (RL); Alain Wey (AW); Viviane Aerni (VA); Jean-François Lichtenstern (JFL), responsible for “Notes from Parlia-

October 2009 / ment”, Service for the Swiss Abroad, DFA, CH-3003 Berne Translation: CLS Communication AG ■ POSTAL ADDRESS: Publisher, editorial office, advertising: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne, Tel.: +4131356 61 10, Fax: +4131356 61 01, Postal account (Swiss National Giro): 30-6768-9. Internet: www.revue.ch ■ E-MAIL: [email protected] ■ PRINT: Zollikofer AG, CH-9001 St.Gallen. ■ CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise your local embassy or consulate. Do not write to Berne. ■ All Swiss abroad who are registered with a Swiss representation receive the magazine free of charge. Anyone else can subscribe to the magazine for an annual fee (Switzerland: CHF 25 / abroad: CHF 40). Subscribers are sent the magazine ISS REVIEW SW direct from Berne. Copy deadline for this edition: 24.8.09 www.revue.ch We look forward to your online visit. MAILBAG GAMES 5

Review”, in particular the “Which famous character was created by the Swiss articles on Erni and Swiss author Johanna Spyri?” This is the type of question humour. The cover page you will find in the parlour game Helvetiq. The to illustrate Swiss humour answer is, of course, our very own Heidi. You will was one of the most interest- also discover where the artistic movement of Dadaism ing yet. It was created by was born (Zurich) and which 19th-century Russian a Swiss German artist author lost a fortune at the casino in Saxon to illustrate how the French- (Dostoevsky). Hadi Barkat, a graduate of the Federal speaking Swiss are seen Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), came up by the Swiss Germans. It with the idea for the game whilst going through the could equally well have naturalisation process. This entrepreneur, investor been produced by a French- and engineer from the canton of Vaud lives in both speaking Swiss to gently Boston and Switzerland. While the game was origi- poke fun at the Swiss nally designed to help future applicants for natura-

Germans. One of the strong Good for Swiss greylisation matter to prepare for communal interviews, its Congratulations points of Swiss humour is creators quickly realised that Swiss people would also be I was extremely impressed by that it can be read in two interested in playing the game to satisfy their appetite for the last edition of your maga- ways, as such making it uni- knowledge about Switzerland. Helvetiq’s red box contains zine. The article on the eco- versal. two games - a quiz and a politics game. The quiz is a small nomic crisis is one of the best A. CHARBONNET, ATHENS, board game, illustrated with a traditional “poya” scene I have ever read on the topic. GREECE of cows climbing to the mountain pastures. There are Of course, it is not an ex- 150 cards which contain two questions, one on either side, haustive report – nor indeed Bell-ringing with one side giving the answer to the other. For example: could it be – but the main Your article in the August “Which famous Swiss sweet was introduced in the 1930s points are set out with great issue about bell-ringing was by the company Suchard?” And on the reverse side: “Which clarity. Many congratula- fascinating. Another reason Swiss company launched the Sugus sweet on the market?” tions! The same is also true to tune in to Swiss radio. After answering the question, the player throws between of the review of René Zeyer’s J. GRIFFITH, LIVERPOOL, one and three dice, depending on the risk incurred and the book. It will stand out from GREAT BRITAIN validity of the answer. In the politics game, each player the many publications on this represents a political movement and attempts to increase topic. However, I was very Outlooks and insights his or her influence by entering positions of power in the saddened to hear that As a Swiss person abroad executive, legislative and judiciary bodies at communal, “Swiss Review” will only (20 years in ), I cantonal and federal level. The winner is the player who appear four times a year in read the printed version of climbs the highest up the political ladder. future. Of course, one has “Swiss Review” and enjoy A fair amount of time is required to learn the rules and to live within one’s means, sharing it with my family. how to play the game. A visit to the www.helvetiq.ch web- but I cannot understand We then pass it on to other site, which offers tips in video format, is recommended. Parliament’s budget cuts. people or simply leave it on After playing a game, you will begin to understand the W. GEISER, GELSENKIRCHEN, our reading desk for guests. strategies and finer points of the game to become a master GERMANY As you cannot always access of the tactics of political gamesmanship. It is a matter of the computer, I carry “Swiss manoeuvring five pieces to climb the rungs of the Swiss Fantastic Review” in my briefcase political system. You will need votes, special cards and The new online version so I can read it whenever laws, avoiding referenda and relying on initiatives, to score of “Swiss Review” is great. I want. maximum points. I really like the option of The printed version of You don’t have to be of voting age to play Helvetiq. clicking on links in the text the magazine may cost more The quiz can be played by 2 to 4 players aged 8 and above, which take you to other and be less environmentally and the politics game by 3 or 4 players aged 10 and above. pages and/or information. I friendly, but it does have The game is also aimed at communes and cantons to pre- also appreciate having access a much greater impact pare new voters for citizenship, to foster the integration to the editions in other coun- and attracts a significantly of immigrants or to provide a tool to support the natura- tries. Thank you so much. larger readership. There lisation procedure. The game has been an immediate . 4 No F.J. RÖLLI, SANTA MARTA, are insights as well as out- success with more than 7000 sets already having been sold COLOMBIA looks. in French-speaking Switzerland. It is set to be equally well D. BIANCONI, OBERSCHÖLLENBACH, received in German-speaking Switzerland, where it has October 2009 / Swiss humour GERMANY been available for several months. Available in French, I once again took great German, Italian and English, Helvetiq can be ordered on ISS REVIEW

SW pleasure in reading “Swiss the www.helvetiq.ch website. AW Leave a lasting legacy behind Do something for our compatriots abroad

A legacy or bequest allows you to leave instructions on the disposal of your money, real estate or property*. A bequest to the OSA is an enduring reminder of your solidarity with our compatriots abroad. The Organisation for the Swiss Abroad uses all such funds to assist Swiss Abroad in accordance with the testator’s instructions.

*To do this you need to draw up a will. The OSA offers an informative, easy-to-understand brochure on how to draw up a will: Contact the OSA Legal Service, "Rechtsdienst der ASO", Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne or e-mail [email protected] Help us to help you! IMAGES 7

The world’s oldest panoramic painting 38.3-metreןBasel artist, Marquard Wocher, started work on his enormous 7.5 circular painting of the city of Thun 200 years ago. It provides a panoramic view of the city at the time from the rooftop of a house on Obere Hauptgasse. The panorama is on display at the Kunstmuseum in Thun’s Schadaupark and requires urgent restoration. www.kunstmuseum-thun.ch . 4 No October 2009 / ISS REVIEW SW Photo: Kunstmuseum in Thun 8SOCIETY

Switzerland’s getting older Swiss people today are healthier and living longer than their forefathers. “Keep active as you grow older” is the maxim of the older generation. But there comes a time when they can no longer manage on their own. Care for the elderly then becomes an issue, and healthcare costs become a matter of political debate. Delicate questions are raised about the distribution of the burden between the generations – are the contributions made by the young and old “fair”? By Rolf Ribi

Life expectancy in Switzerland has in- to the greater life expectancy after 65 years 2030 (an increase of almost 800,000 peo- creased almost continually since 1880 – it of age, many people will reach a very old age ple). The proportion of under-20s will fall was 40 years of age back then, whereas to- and will therefore contribute to the ageing at least to 18%. The age structure will there- day it stands at over 80, in fact 79 for men of the population”. It concludes: “The pop- fore change dramatically in future. and 84 for women. Average life expectancy ulation in Switzerland will age significantly increased by 4 to 5 months each year until and rapidly over the coming years.” Healthcare and its cost the middle of the last century, and has since The ageing of the population is also linked The elderly in the Canton of Zurich were risen by around 3 months a year. The rea- to the birth rate. The birth rate in Switzer- recently surveyed about their health and sons for a longer life were initially falling land was still very high in the baby boom well-being. The conclusion of the report by mortality rates among infants and children, years between 1940 and 1960. However, it the Institute for Social and Preventive and later a decline in the mortality rate fell rapidly and considerably in the early Medicine at the University of Zurich is that among older and elderly people. seventies. It has since levelled out at the three quarters of those aged over 65 in Zu- Put another way, only a third of men born very low rate of 1.5 children per woman. 40 rich feel well both physically and psycho- in Switzerland in 1880 lived to celebrate years ago, women in Switzerland had their logically. Today, they are “in significantly their 70th birthday, whereas this fi gure in- first child at the age of 24, whereas today better health than previous generations”. creased to two thirds among those born in they are 31. The situation in Switzerland’s largest can- 1930. And half the male offspring who came The baby boomers will reach retirement ton is in line with statements found in the into the world in 1940 will live beyond the age between 2005 and 2035, and will still Federal Council report on old age policy: age of 80. In 1991, a 65-year-old woman had have a high remaining life expectancy. This 68% of people aged 75 and above living at a remaining life expectancy of just over 20 will have an impact on the age structure of home consider their health to be “usually years; by 2030 this will increase to more than Switzerland’s population. According to the good to very good”. 24 years. The corresponding figures for men Federal Statistical Office’s moderate sce- If Swiss people are to keep on living for are 15.5 years and almost 21 years. The Fed- nario, the proportion of over-64-year-olds longer and make up a growing proportion eral Council report entitled “Strategy for a as part of the total population will increase of the population, this will also have an im- Swiss policy on old age” states that “owing from around 16% at present to over 24% in pact on healthcare costs. Even though “age is not a key factor in the most expensive cases of illness” (according to the big- gest health insurance provider, Hel- sana), healthcare costs do increase in old age, particularly in respect of med- icines and stays in hospital (cardiovas- cular problems). At Berne’s Inselspital, patients aged between 60 and 79 gen- erally cost 18% more than the average case (costs fall again for those aged over 80 as not all possible forms of medical intervention are used at this stage). Higher healthcare costs and sharp rises in health insurance premiums have . 4 No sparked a debate about appropriate treatment for very elderly people. For example, should a new heart valve be October 2009 / inserted into a 90-year-old patient at a cost of CHF 30,000? Bernhard Meier, ISS REVIEW SW Three generations of a traditional large family, around 1930. head of cardiology at the Inselspital in Photo: donated 9

Berne, believes the operation should be per- ers and companions. These women, who are ships. Nursing home charges can amount to formed as the elderly patient would other- often well-educated, cost between CHF over CHF 300 per day. wise become dependent on care. He makes 4,000 and CHF 8,000 a month. François Höpflinger explains: “The trend reference to the National Health Service in According to François Höpflinger, a re- today is clearly towards residential care the UK where a patient of this age would searcher into old age, more people in Swit- with service.” People want to live alone, but not even receive a pacemaker costing CHF zerland spend their twilight years in a nur- at the same time have access to social struc- 4,000. sing home or a home for the elderly than in tures, support and the opportunity for so- other countries. He says: “More than half cial contact. He adds, however: “An outpa- Where should care for the elderly the over-80s die in a nursing home. Our tra- tient solution cannot be provided right up be provided? dition of family support is not as strong as to the end. If patients are no longer mobile Around 135,000 elderly people in Switzer- in other countries.” Around 77,000 men and dementia takes hold, this is no longer land are unable to live at home indepen- and women are looked after in Switzer- feasible.” dently. They require care, either at home, land’s 1,500 nursing homes and homes for Who pays for care for the elderly? Man- in a home for the elderly or in a nursing the elderly. Offerings today range from the datory health insurance covers the costs of home. A person is deemed in need of care traditional nursing home for old people in medical care irrespective of the type of care and assistance if he or she is no longer able the village to state-of-the-art residences for or where it is provided (in a nursing home to manage to carry out everyday tasks inde- senior citizens in magnificent surround- or at home). The cost of staying in a nursing pendently. Fewer than 10% of the elderly ings. home must be paid for by those requiring under the age of 79 require care in Switzer- Two examples: the Villa Böcklin nursing care (if necessary through supplementary land. It is a fifth among those aged 80 to 84, home at the foot of the Zürichberg belongs benefits). The law on the financing of care while more than a third of 85-year-olds are to the private Tertianum Group and offers is now set to be revised – the Federal Coun- dependent on care and assistance. “a life in a dignified and private environment” cil, cantons, health insurance schemes and The most important institution for care in 26 care apartments, each with its own Spitex care organisations are all fi ghting duties in old age is the family. Care is pro- support service. A carer visits the home four their corner. vided by families in three out of four cases. times a week to accompany residents on A large proportion of dementia patients walks, outings or trips to concerts. The cost Residence in old age (more than 60,000 people) are looked after of a stay there per person varies from CHF A time comparison clearly shows that more at home. However, the family support net- 229 to CHF 470 a day for one-room or two- and more elderly people want to stay in work is being stretched to the limit. The room studios, in addition to the cost of care. their own homes for longer. Over 90% of Federal Council believes day-care and res- The town of Wädenswil’s Frohmatt home people today still live in their own homes pite services have a key role to play. Well- for the sick and elderly accommodates 135 up to the age of 80 to 84. And it is still al- established services (with local differences) people, and contains a residential group for most 40% among the 90 to 94-year-olds. offering home-care support are provided by dementia patients and an Alzheimer’s unit. The extension of outpatient care and home private non-profit organisations, such as The offering ranges from single rooms to care make it possible for people to stay in- Pro Senectute, the Swiss Red Cross and the rooms with four beds. The management ex- side their own four walls for longer. Spitex organisations. plains that they do more than in a hotel- Few elderly people live in small accom- But what if the daily visits from care ser- style private residence to establish relation- modation with just one or two rooms. The vices are no longer vast majority con- enough and there are sider their quality of no family members accommodation to available to help out? be good or very Then the care and good. This is impor- home-help services tant because their provided by people own home plays a from the Philippines or pivotal role in the Poland may have to be emotional lives of relied on. It is esti- the elderly. Even mated that there are as though some of many as 20,000 illegal these homes are not workers living in Swit- designed with the zerland without offi- elderly in mind . 4 No cial papers providing (doorsteps, stairs, aft ch services for elderly bath, kitchen), mov- people, who are alone ing into nursing October 2009 / or suffering from de- homes and homes mentia, assisting them for the elderly is be- ISS REVIEW SW as carers, cooks, clean- A modern “grandmother” today. ing delayed for Photo: Museum Basel-Lands 10 SOCIETY

longer. Only a quarter of people aged 80 to Younger generations under 45 have on av- port from family members create solidarity 84 living at home have provisionally regis- erage fewer assets than those in retirement, between them. Social differences within the tered for a home. and even their income is often lower than individual age groups are more significant In the past, almost every village and town that of the older generation. than the differences between the genera- in Switzerland had a “municipal home” for However, a study by Pro Senectute shows tions (according to François Höpflinger). the elderly. Later came non-profit centres that there is still a risk of poverty among with public support offering accommoda- older people. It estimates that no fewer The dignity and burden of old age tion for the elderly, which was much sought- than 30% of pensioners live off their AHV “We are close to achieving mankind’s great after at the time. More recently, private op- pension alone, with not all married couples dream – many more people living much erators have identified the elderly as an receiving the maximum pension. 12% of longer in much better health, irrespective attractive market segment. Exclusive resi- AHV recipients are dependent on supple- of social status”, writes the economics pro- dences for senior citizens and attractive op- mentary benefits, but a third are poor all the fessor, Thomas Straubhaar. It is in every- tions for those on average incomes are be- same. “Poverty in old age is not a thing of one’s interests that people can remain in ing made available. The Age Foundation is the past”, confirms the sociologist Ueli employment for as long as possible. He a private institution that has appeared on Mäder. The differences in terms of income adds: “Work provides personal satisfaction, the scene providing financial support for in- and assets are not as great in any other age fosters social contact and makes people feel novative projects for accommodation for group as they are among the over-60s. that they are still useful.” Old-age re- the elderly. searcher Höpflinger explains: “Many eld- The Solinsieme project in St.Gallen re- The distribution of the burden between erly people today engage in further educa- ceived the Age Foundation’s Age Award in the generations tion, spend a lot of time travelling, work for 2007. It represents a new form of co-exis- What is the distribution between the gen- longer, use the Internet and have more tence for elderly people, living on their own erations like in terms of contributions made money than before.” Journalist Beat Bühl- yet together. 17 homes of various sizes, each by young and old? Is the relationship be- mann believes that old age offers “new free- with its own character offering residents in- tween the generations fair? A study by the dom: as traditional social roles disappear dividuality and the option to retreat, were Swiss National Science Foundation con- and societal connotations fade away, alter- created in former factory buildings. Spa- cludes that the “co-existence of the gener- native, often creative perspectives open cious communal rooms, such as large-scale ations is largely based on solidarity”. Rela- up”. kitchens, work rooms and studios, under- tionships between generations of families Social ethics expert, Hans Ruh, calls for line the social aspect of the residential have “improved rather than deteriorated” a new outlook for an increasingly older so- project. It is aimed at people “seeking qual- in recent years. The report nevertheless ciety, including for the very elderly. He says: ity for a new chapter in their lives, who are calls for a specific generational policy with “We have to learn that there is dignity in de- open to alternative forms of social co-exis- the aim of fostering solidarity between the pendence. We must accept that fragility is tence”. generations. part of life.” The former ailing Pope There can be no doubt that the genera- Woytila showed that “fragility is also an as- The elderly – rich and poor tion in employment makes a great contribu- pect of humanity”. 75-year-old popular Most pensioners in Switzerland are fi nan- tion to social insurance to the benefit of American author, Philip Roth, sees things cially secure and safe from poverty. This is pensioners. With regard to AHV, there are radically differently. For the main charac- the conclusion of a substantial study carried now four people in employment to every ter in his novel “Everyman”, who is suffer- out by the Federal Social Insurance Office, pensioner. The contribution of the under- ing from prostate cancer, “eluding death which examined data from 1.5 million peo- 60s to care for the elderly is estimated at seemed to have become the central business ple aged between 25 and 99 on income and CHF 10 billion. Pensioners assist the of his life and bodily decay his entire story”. assets. A comparison of the various demo- younger generation with private help in re- Roth writes: “Old age isn’t a battle, old age graphic groups shows that pensioners are turn for their contributions. This includes is a massacre.” the best off financially. Only 6% of the eld- providing care for grandchildren and fi nan- The actor and singer, Maurice Chevalier, erly are classed as poor, while almost one in cial support for their education. Help from saw things in a more philosophical and five retired couples has assets of at least grandparents often allows daughters and ironic way: “Getting old isn’t so bad when CHF 1 million. daughters-in-law to go out to work. Inher- you think about the alternative.” Pensioners’ income comes from four itances are also significant: these private fi - sources – around 40% comes from the AHV nancial transfers from the old to the young DOCUMENTATION Strategie für eine schweizerische Alterspolitik (old-age) pension, around 20% from pen- are estimated at CHF 30 billion. The disad- (Strategy for a Swiss policy on old age). Federal sion funds, around 30% from income on as- vantage is the highly unequal distribution Council Report of 29 August 2007. www.bsv-admin.ch . 4 Perrig-Chiello Pasqualina, Höpflinger François, Suter No sets and around 10% from earned income. among recipients. In addition, a greater life Christian: Generationen – Strukturen und Beziehun- However, 14% of those in retirement only expectancy means that inheritances are be- gen. Generationenbericht Schweiz. Seismo Verlag 2008. CHF 58, EUR 38.50 have income from their old-age pension ing received later and later. October 2009 / www.bibliothek.pro-senectute.ch (and any AHV supplementary benefits). Researchers into old age believe there is www.doku-zug.ch The average assets of the generation in re- little chance of conflict between the gener- ISS REVIEW SW tirement stand at more than CHF 300,000. ations. Social security payments and sup- PRO PATRIA 11

A foundation with a rich tradition is celebrating its historic buildings and cultural landscapes. anniversary. The foundation’s board, which is made up of representatives from all parts of the Everyone knows the 1 August emblem, which has been sold for country, decides on a priority for the col- decades in the run-up to Swiss National Day. But what was the lection each year. This year’s collection is original vision behind this emblem? It represents the principle for the “Cultural Routes of Switzerland” project. The proceeds are to be used to re- of solidarity and patriotism, fostering cultural and social store historically significant route sections endeavour for the benefit of the Swiss people. By Viviane Aerni over the coming years. However, like many other fundraising organisations, Pro Patria is also being hit It was the turn of the 20th century when tional public foundation called by a fall in income. This is not Albert Schuster, a patriotic and charitably Pro Patria. The foundation is not primarily down to the Swiss peo- minded businessman from St. Gallen, laid subsidised by federal government ple being less willing to make do- the foundations for the Pro Patria founda- or the cantons. Fixed administra- nations or waning patriotism. tion. His vision was to establish the cele- tive costs are intentionally kept The main reason is the current bration of Swiss federalism, which until low. However, more than 40,000 age of telecommunications where then had received little recognition, as part volunteer workers support Pro stamps are less important and of Swiss tradition by introducing patriotic Patria by enthusiastically selling sales figures are on the decline. festivities and giving Swiss National Day a its various products on the street Like all other companies, charita- deeper meaning of solidarity. The idea was or directly. The foundation de- ble foundations are also at the for Swiss people to come together thanks pends entirely on the solidarity of mercy of changing times. Ideas to a common charitable appeal as part of the Swiss people and its friends and concepts have to be refreshed, Swiss National Day to help less fortunate abroad for funds. which Pro Patria is attempting to members of society. Albert Schuster In the post-war years, money achieve in its anniversary year, founded the association Swiss National collected was primarily given to not least through humorous com- Day Donation in 1909. needy people among the Swiss mercials. Initially, the association just sold franked population. Owing to the expan- Over the course of its 100-year postcards specially created for this pur- sion of government and private history, Pro Patria has also col- pose by popular Swiss artists. The 1 August social institutions, the charity col- lected for the Swiss abroad on emblem, which is steeped in tradition, was lections have become less of an many occasions. The fi rst time created in 1923 and has since appeared in a imperative. This means that only was with the second emblem back new design every year. The stamps, which specific social Pro Patria projects in 1924. Other collections were in have been issued since 1938 in conjunction still exist today, such as emer- 1930, 1938, 1946, 1953, 1965, 1972, with the Swiss Post Office, were a major gency aid for mothers. The pro- 1978, 1984, 1990 and 1993. success for Pro Patria at the end of the ceeds of the collections are now 1970s. At this time, the carriage surcharges primarily used for the salvation, preserva- generated more than CHF 4 million a tion and maintenance of Swiss cultural her-

year. itage, such as Focus of the collection in the anniversary year 2010: In 1991, the Swiss National Day Cultural Routes of Switzerland. These Pro Patria Donation became a politically in- stamps depict the steps cut into the rock above the Plan de Barasson along the Great St. Bernard Pass dependent and non-denomina- and the “proudest side of the city of Basel”. . 4 No October 2009 / tria Pa ISS REVIEW SW Photos: Pro 12 POLITICS: REFERENDA

Banning minarets and the export of weapons? such as the principle of equality under the Two popular initiatives aim to ban the construction of minarets law, the freedom of religion and conscience, the ownership guarantee, the principle of and the export of war materials. A referendum will be held proportionality and the requirement of com- on the proposals on 29 November. The use of jet-fuel duty for pliance with international law. They also air traffic will also be voted on. By René Lenzin argue that a ban would represent a dispro- portionate intervention into cantonal re- sponsibilities. They maintain local authori- ties are best placed to approve or ban The Swiss weapons industry achieved record ests of national security and the economy, on minarets based on the applicable building exports of war materials last year, totalling the other. The Federal Council and a parlia- and planning laws. The National Council over CHF 720 million. The biggest customer mentary majority argue that approval of the rejected the initiative by 132 votes to 51, and was Pakistan, which purchased CHF 110 mil- popular initiative would jeopardise the sur- the Council of States by 39 votes to 3. lion worth of weapons from Switzerland. vival of the Swiss arms industry and put na- While manufacturers and their employees tional defence at risk as a result. The Na- Jet-fuel duty to go towards air traffic? are delighted, opponents of such exports are tional Council rejected the initiative by 131 Federal government levies a jet-fuel duty on furious. Switzerland is following the global votes to 63, and the Council of States by 35 private domestic flights. As international armament trend, according to the Group for votes to 7. commercial flights are exempt from this duty a Switzerland without an Army (GSoA). It owing to international agreements, the in- believes exports to Pakistan, in particular, Are minarets part of religious freedom? come generated is low (below CHF 50 mil- are irresponsible. The “Against the construction of minarets” lion). Until now, half has gone to the federal GSoA feels vindicated in its desire to ban popular initiative was submitted in July 2008. treasury and half to road transport. The Fed- the export of war materials. In September It aims to introduce a complete ban on the eral Council and Parliament have now agreed 2007, it submitted a popular initiative with building of new minarets in Switzerland. The a constitutional amendment under which this objective. The initiative also aims to stop initiative committee argues that the minaret 50% of jet-fuel duty would be used for air the transfer of and trade in weapons. And it has no religious significance as an architec- traffic. The aim is to fi nance contributions calls for the Swiss government to support in- tural structure, but is instead a symbol of a to environmental protection and safety ternational efforts aimed at disarmament religious-political claim to power that con- measures. The National Council approved and arms control. The initiative is backed by tradicts Switzerland’s constitution and legal the proposal by 124 votes to 63, and the the Social Democrats and the Greens. system. The initiative’s proponents, who are Council of States by 33 votes to 7. Only the However, the Federal Council and the supported in Parliament by the Swiss Peo- Social Democrats and the Greens rejected conservative parties oppose the proposal. ple’s Party (SVP), say a ban on minarets the proposal. They believe that current export controls would not affect religious freedom. All three referendum proposals concern strike a balance between various interest The other major parties, and the Federal the constitution. They therefore require the groups. They maintain that export licences Council, oppose the initiative. They say it approval of the people and the cantons. are in line with the objectives of Swiss for- goes against many of Switzerland’s princi- eign policy, on the one hand, and the inter- ples enshrined in the Federal Constitution,

More money for invalidity insurance. The Swiss people Following its introduction in 2003 approve a tax increase for invalidity insurance and abolish 67.9% of the electorate and all cantons have now voted in favour of abolishing the gene- the general popular initiative. By René Lenzin ral popular initiative. This new democratic instrument was enshrined in the constitution in 2003. It was intended to enable initiative The reorganisation of invalidity insurance initial capital of CHF 5 billion from the old- committees to present political issues as ge- (IV), which has chronic deficits, has taken an- age and survivors’ insurance fund. neral proposals instead of formulating cons- other step forward. The electorate has ap- With a turnout of just over 41%, 54.5% of titutional amendments. However, when it proved a fixed-term increase in VAT. From voters approved the proposal. However, it al- came to implementing the instrument, the 2011, a 0.4% rise in VAT, or around CHF 1.1 most failed to secure a cantonal majority – 12 Federal Council and Parliament came to the . 4 No billion, will flow into the invalidity insurance cantons voted in favour, and 11 against. The conclusion that the new popular right was fund’s coffers for a period of seven years. tax increase received most support in French- too complicated in practice. It will now be Together with substantive reforms, these speaking Switzerland, Ticino, and removed from the constitution. October 2009 / extra funds should ensure the fi nancial sta- the urban parts of German-speaking Swit- bility of invalidity insurance and reduce its zerland. It was rejected in the rural cantons ISS REVIEW SW deficits. Invalidity insurance will also receive of central and eastern Switzerland. POLITICS: FEDERAL COUNCIL ELECTION 13

Burkhalter becomes Couchepin’s successor. Didier Burkhalter, age of 28, and, two years later, to Neuchâ- the Neuchâtel member of the Council of States, succeeds Federal tel’s city government, on which he served un- til 2005. He also represented his party in the Councillor Pascal Couchepin. The Christian Democrats failed cantonal parliament from 1990 to 2001. In in their attempt to win back a second seat in government at the 2003, the people of Neuchâtel elected him expense of the Free Democrats. By René Lenzin to the National Council, and four years later to the Council of States. Burkhalter is mar- ried with three sons. Unusually for a Free Democrat, he did not hold a single Board of Directors’ mandate before entering national government. As a member of parliament, Burkhalter was primarily involved with institutional, se- curity policy and educational issues. He now takes over the Department of Home Affairs from his predecessor, Pascal Couchepin, with its many complex areas in need of im- provement. In view of constantly rising health insurance premiums, his main objec- tive will have to be to produce reforms to break the deadlock on healthcare policy. An almost equally difficult task will be putting forward proposals, capable of securing ma- jority support, for necessary reforms in old- age pension provision. And fi nally, little headway has yet been made with the long- term objective of reorganising the Swiss uni- versity system. Didier Burkhalter will cer- tainly not be able to complain about a lack of work. Didier Burkhalter, the new FDP Federal Councillor, was elected with 129 votes.

The Federal Council election on 16 Septem- because of their slightly higher share of the CONCORDANCE – A KEYWORD ber went very much the way of the Free vote. The FDP also talked of a “victory for In Switzerland’s political system, concord- Democratic Liberals (FDP). The party’s two concordance”. ance means that the main parties in govern- candidates – Didier Burkhalter, the Neuchâ- However, the term concordance has lost ment work closely together. For 44 years, tel member of the Council of States, and some of its poignancy since the end of the between 1959 and 2003, this principle was Christian Lüscher, National Councillor “magic formula”, and is interpreted by all par- embodied by the so-called magic formula. from Geneva – won more votes together ties to their advantage (see box). In purely The Free Democrats (FDP), the Christian than is required for an absolute majority. mathematical terms, both the Greens and Democrats (CVP) and the Social Democrats Following Lüscher’s withdrawal after the the SVP had a stronger claim to the vacant (SP) each had two seats on the Federal third round of voting with slightly fewer seat than the FDP. The CVP attempted to Council, while the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) votes, Burkhalter was elected in the fourth win back the second Federal Council seat had one. The astonishing rise, by Swiss round by a comfortable margin of 23 votes that it lost in 2003 by highlighting the standards, of the SVP from the mid-1990s over his opponent, Urs Schwaller of the strength of its faction and its role as an inter- threatened to undermine this formula, and Christian Democrats (CVP). mediary between opposing political ex- in 2003 the SVP finally won a second seat in The contest was, in the end, less exciting tremes. government at the expense of the CVP. There than anticipated. While Burkhalter received has since been controversy over the term the support of the Swiss People’s Party Middle-of-the-road consensus politician concordance. There are contrasting inter- (SVP) almost en bloc, Schwaller did not suc- The election of Didier Burkhalter will hardly pretations: a purely mathematical one – ceed in winning the full backing of the Social alter the political balance in national govern- whereby the votes of the parties and/or the . 4 No Democrat/Green camp. Some left-wingers/ ment. The 49-year-old economist has estab- number of members in their faction are Greens may have voted for Burkhalter be- lished a reputation as a heavyweight deal- decisive – and one based on the issues, cause they favoured a “true” French-speak- maker who favours consensus-based according to which a minimum consensus October 2009 /

one ing Swiss over Schwaller, a German-speaker solutions over political controversy. Burkhal- should be reached between the Federal yst from Fribourg. Others probably believed the ter was elected to the communal parliament Council parties on the most important poli- ISS REVIEW FDP deserved the seat more than the CVP of the Neuchâtel suburb of Hauterive at the SW tical objectives.

Photo: Ke RL 14 NOTES FROM PARLIAMENT

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON CHANGES TO THE METHOD …and offer a preliminary trial read OF DELIVERY FOR “SWISS REVIEW” We would initially like to offer all Swiss citizens abroad entitled to receive “Swiss Review” the opportunity of a trial read of the “Swiss Review” online – electronic version of the October edition of “Swiss Review”. This means that even those who have already registered for the printed we are modernising our service version, but have an e-mail address, will receive this one-off trial Various articles in “Swiss Review” have made our readers aware copy. If you enjoy it, you can then register for the online version at of the new, modern online version of this publication. This helps www.swissabroad.ch. Otherwise, you will continue to receive the improve information for Swiss people abroad by making the printed version. service more modern and attractive, and offering the following To meet the right of Swiss citizens abroad to information and benefi ts: to ensure that there are no gaps in delivery we require your correct ■ Quicker and, in many countries, more reliable delivery. Reci- current address. We therefore kindly ask you to inform us of any pients receive “Swiss Review” as soon as it has been published, changes to your postal or e-mail address by following the instruc- keeping them more up-to-date. tions below. ■ In line with the general increasing shift in reading habits towards the Internet. This appeals to the younger generation in particular. Avoiding multiple deliveries – one printed copy per household ■ In keeping with the demand for the introduction of e-voting Lots of households receive several copies of the printed version for Swiss citizens abroad. of “Swiss Review”. This entails significant additional costs. ■ Helps meet the required expansion of online services. As a result, from 2010 all households which previously received ■ Access to all regional editions. several copies of the printed version, without expressly registering ■ Free choice of available languages: readers can select the lan- for them, will only be sent one printed copy in order to achieve guage they desire, which is useful, for example, in families where the above-mentioned goal of reducing costs. However, anyone more than one language is spoken. entitled can order their own printed version by informing us at ■ Option of forwarding articles electronically. www.swissabroad.ch or by informing their Swiss representation. ■ Eco-friendly/supports sustainability. Summary “Swiss Review” online – cost reductions in the interests of readers Delivery of the electronic version of “Swiss Review” will become Online delivery of “Swiss Review” also enables savings to be made standard from 2010. This move aims to provide readers with an im- on printing and distribution costs. Cost reductions achieved proved, more modern service with the objective of returning to a through electronic delivery should enable the number of issues, higher number of editions by reducing printing and distribution which had to be reduced to four following budget cuts in 2008, costs. to be increased to six a year again in the medium term, which is All entitled Swiss citizens abroad, whose e-mail address we have, in the interests of our readers. As explained below, the prevention will therefore receive the online version of “Swiss Review”. Those of multiple deliveries should also help to achieve this goal. who do not have an e-mail address will continue to be sent the printed version. This also applies to those who have already regis- Therefore, online delivery is to become standard from 2010 … tered for this version. Anyone who would like to receive the printed To ensure both cost reductions and service improvements through version, but has not yet registered, can also request it by registering modernisation, delivery of the online version of “Swiss Review” at www.swissabroad.ch or by informing their Swiss representation. will become standard from 2010. All entitled persons, whose e-mail It will also be possible to change the desired method of delivery addresses have been registered, will receive the publication elec- at any time in the same way. We kindly ask you to use the same tronically, except for those who have informed us by this time that they approach to report any changes to your postal or e-mail address wish to receive the printed version. So far, 15,000 Swiss abroad have to ensure that there are no gaps in delivery and that your right to already responded to our appeal to register for the electronic information is met. version of “Swiss Review” at www.swissabroad.ch. We would like In the first month, there may be overlaps with the processing of to thank them and hope that they and others who plan to join our addresses. It is therefore possible that you may receive a different electronic readership enjoy reading the online version. method of delivery for “Swiss Review” to the one for which you have registered. We kindly ask for your understanding. …while we stand by our principles … To ensure smooth delivery in future, please inform your representation However, we still stand by the principle that all entitled Swiss immediately of any changes to your postal or e-mail address. You can citizens abroad have the right to delivery of “Swiss Review”. also register your e-mail address directly at www.swissabroad.ch. Readers who do not have an e-mail address will continue to receive . 4 No it by post. In fact, we are showing even greater respect for this principle, as readers now have the option of choosing between the FDFA: new head of the SSA printed and electronic versions of “Swiss Review”. Swiss citizens October 2009 / abroad who have an e-mail address but wish to receive the printed Jean-François Lichtenstern has been appointed head of the version should register at www.swissabroad.ch or contact their Service for the Swiss Abroad (SSA) in Political Affairs Division VI ISS REVIEW

SW embassy or consulate (if they have not already done so). (Swiss Abroad). This division comprises the Service for the Swiss 15

Abroad, the Consular Protection section and the agency that International Humanitarian Law”, produced by the FDFA, provides crisis management and information for travellers. provides a clear explanation of the most common terms and The head of the division, ambassador Markus Börlin, previously the significance of the Geneva Con- also managed the Service for the Swiss Abroad. ventions and the Hague Convention. The “ABC of International Born in 1951, Jean-François Lichtenstern, from Romainmôtier- Humanitarian Law” can be down- Envy (Vaud), joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs loaded in English, German, French (FDFA) in 1974. After training in Berne and Cologne/Bonn, he or Italian from the FDFA’s website started his career as consular secretary in Toronto (1977), from www.eda.admin.ch (Documentation – where he was transferred to Santiago in Chile in 1981. In 1984, he Publications), or obtained from the was appointed to the commercial section of Switzerland’s consulate following address: Information FDFA, general in New York, then, in 1987, to the Swiss representation in Bundeshaus West, CH-3003 Berne Lyon as vice-consul. After that, he took over the management of the chancelleries of our embassies in Brasilia (1990), and Athens (1993), as first secretary, before returning to Berne in 1997. He was then responsible for the promotion of exports at the Service for Registration of changes to civil status Financial and Economic Issues in Political Affairs Division V, as a diplomatic officer. In 2001, he went to Hong Kong as fi rst assistant Changes to civil status concerning Swiss citizens abroad must to the head of post. After being appointed consul general, he ran be recorded in the family register of their place of origin in the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco from Octo- Switzerland. ber 2005 to July 2009. Mr Lichtenstern took up his new position in Berne at the beginning of A fully updated family register ensures that passports can be issued August in order to immediately and matters of inheritance can be settled, etc. If the birth of a child participate in the Congress of is not registered before the age of 22, he/she loses the right to Swiss the Swiss Abroad, held in Lu- citizenship. cerne from 7 to 9 August 2009. Please register any forthcoming marriage, divorce, birth of a At this event, ambassador child or death of a family member immediately with the represen- Markus Börlin introduced his tation where you are registered (embassy, consulate general). The new colleague, and head of representation will inform you of the documents required for entry service, to his future dialogue in the family register. Addresses and additional information can be partners and various individu- found on the websites of the representations (www.eda.admin.ch – als and institutions, such as the Representations). Council of the Swiss Abroad.

NEW POPULAR INITIATIVES AND REFERENDA Change of address and contact details At the time of going to press, no new popular initiatives had been launched since the last edition. At www.bk.admin.ch/aktuell/abstim- Please inform your local representation of any changes to your mung you will find a list of pending referenda and popular initiatives, postal address, telephone numbers or e-mail address in good time – and the corresponding signature forms, if available. Please complete, www.eda.admin.ch (Representations). You can also register your sign and send the forms directly to the relevant committee. e-mail address directly at www.swissabroad.ch. Your assistance will save us making time-consuming inquiries, and is the only way to Referendum on 29 November 2009 ensure that you automatically receive your voting documents The Federal Council has decided to hold a referendum on the (provided you are registered with a Swiss polling commune), and following three proposals on 29 November 2009: “Swiss Review” at your new address. Please do not send notice of ■ The federal decree to create special funding for tasks related changes to your address and contact details to the Service for the to air traffic Swiss Abroad of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs ■ The popular initiative “For a ban on the export of war materials” (FDFA), or the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad in Berne. and ■ The popular initiative “Against the construction of minarets”.

The Federal Council’s explanatory notes on these proposals can be . 4 ABC of International Humanitarian Law No found at www.bk.admin.ch from 20 September 2009. Every day we see newspaper articles on civil wars, refugees, torture, peace-keeping operations, war crimes and terrorism, etc. October 2009 / RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFICIAL FDFA INFORMATION PAGES: JEAN-FRANÇOIS LICHTENSTERN, SERVICE FOR THE SWISS ABROAD/FDFA, International humanitarian rights govern warfare and protect BUNDESGASSE 32, CH-3003 BERNE TEL. +41 31 324 23 98, FAX +41 31 322 78 66 ISS REVIEW

SW the victims of armed conflicts. The brochure entitled “ABC of WWW.EDA.ADMIN.CH/ASD, [email protected] 16 NEW SWISS MUSIC

Eicher, Hunger, Happy & Co. New trends are emerging in Swiss . Stephan Eicher has always been the most revered Swiss performer in Europe, but now Zurich’s and other Swiss songwriters are also making their mark. We take the plunge into a world of sound. By Alain Wey

Is Swiss folk music in good shape? With Heidi Happy and, more recently, Evelinn week of its release. leading performers like Stephan Eicher, Trouble. This is a fine example of a local Praised to the heav- Sophie Hunger and Heidi Happy, it most and global Switzerland showing openness ens in Germany and certainly is. Nonetheless, it is difficult to la- to the various musical influences around, in France, she has bel these performers as folk artists as their taking its cue from Stephan Eicher who al- been compared to music embraces other styles ranging from ways favoured this kind of eclectic ap- British artist P. J. jazz to rock. To understand the new trend proach. The Bernese artist also knows the Harvey and Iceland’s in Swiss folk, which is also eminently ex- importance of relationships and contacts Björk in the UK. Her portable, you have to take a look at the when it comes to exporting music. After all, captivating, velvety Swiss music scene. The only database of it was Eicher who introduced Sophie Hun- voice and untainted Swiss artists (www.mp3.ch) contains no ger to France when she performed in the songwriting have ob- fewer than 12,000 groups and performers. fi rst part of his concerts in Paris in May viously hit the spot. But few of those categorised as songwriters 2007. Hunger’s influences have managed to achieve success abroad as To understand the huge impact Sophie include both Bob easily as Sophie Hunger. You would have Hunger has made on audiences, you only Dylan and Johnny to go back to Stephan Eicher to find an art- need to take a look at her “myspace” page, Cash, whose styles ist who has been as well received in neigh- which has almost a million visitors. This she blends on her de- bouring France. There have been rave re- 26-year-old is on her way to conquering Eu- fiant, frenetic album views in England and Germany as well as in rope. “Sketches on Sea”, her debut album “Sophie Hunger France. And this is just the start of her ca- recorded at home in Zurich in 2006, fi rst ”. Since her tal- reer. won over the critics and then her musical ent has blossomed A trend has emerged in Switzerland in re- peers. It was the vocalist of “Young Gods” and after meeting in- cent years with young female performers who passed the album on to Stephan Eicher. spirational figures growing in stature and assimilating influ- Her reputation is growing, and it is not by like Eicher (they sing ences from American, English and Scandi- chance that her album “Monday’s Ghost”, “Spiegelbild” as a navian folk music. The most popular am- which came out in October 2008, stood at duet), the “Young bassadors of Swiss folk are Sophie Hunger, the top of the Swiss charts from the fi rst Gods” and trumpet player , nothing seems to be able to stop her. The press in French- speaking Switzerland is heralding “Sophie Hunger’s great destiny”, while the French magazine “Les Inrockuptibles” proclaims her a “songwriter of immense personality with a scintillating album”. Her tracks fl uc- tuate between folk, jazz, pop and rock, all revealing a fierce independence in terms of writing and expression. She says: “My in- spiration comes from my passion for play- ing, in the primary sense of the word. I . 4 No don’t know how I would describe my mu- sic, but all I can say is that I play and invent things like a child.”* The daughter of a dip- October 2009 /

one lomat, she was born in Berne and grew up yst in the UK, Germany and Switzerland. It ISS REVIEW SW Leading the way: Stephan Eicher and Sophie Hunger may well have been the time spent drifting Photo: Ke 17

Evelinn Trouble: A promise?

traordinary timbre modulation, and has chosen a snappy stage name for herself, Evelinn Trouble. She played around with the words to come up with “in trouble”, which sounds like the title of a hit movie. Label: Irascible www.myspace.com/evelinntrouble

Heidi Happy As her mother is a classical soprano, it comes as no surprise that Heidi Happy should captivate audiences to such an ex- tent with her suave, jazzy voice. In 2007, the 29-year-old from Lucerne released her debut album, “Back Together”, and per- formed more than sixty concerts in Swit- zerland, , Germany, Belgium and Holland. Her brand of folk, jazz and pop reveals even greater depth on her second album “Flowers, Birds and Home”, which came out at the end of 2008. Accompanied by seven musicians on stage, including a trombonist, Priska Zemp - alias Heidi Happy - plays the guitar and the glocken- spiel and loves the loop station (device en- abling artists to produce sound loops with the voice or an instrument). Clear melodies, moving tales of unhappy love affairs, com- Rising star of the Swiss folk scene: Sophie Hunger plicit irony and bold arrangements make Heidi Happy a leading light in Swiss pop. at university which finally led her towards When asked what we can expect from her, She is also set to accompany the Swiss Jazz music in 2003. She resumed the piano and she said: “I’ll find out what came fi rst: the Orchestra on its autumn tour. learned to play the guitar. She said: “I have chicken or the egg!” Label: Irascible www.myspace.com/heidihappy always loved music, but I stopped myself * Les Inrockuptibles (23/02/2009), Monday’s Ghost from pursuing it. I kept my distance. I had (label: Irascible) www.myspace.com/sophiehunger so many things in my head, I analysed everything. I had to still my consciousness, Evelinn Trouble and forget my own identity. It was when I A former member of Sophie Hunger’s cho- managed to achieve a state of nothingness rus, Evelinn Trouble released her fi rst al- that I was finally able to open myself up to bum, “Arbitrary Act”, at the beginning of . 4 No music.”* the year. This young artist from Zurich, Performing around twelve concerts a who has just turned 20, possesses the style month in 2009, the artist from Zurich is to blend musical genres: from folk to elec- October 2009 /

one gearing up to conquer the UK next year. tronica and pop to rock, her work contains yst Sophie Hunger seems to look to the future surprise after surprise. The daughter of a ISS REVIEW

SW with a sense of irony and light-heartedness. jazz artist, she inherited a voice with ex- Going right to the top: Heidi Happy from Lucerne Photos: Ke 18 PRICE INSPECTION

“We process and answer every letter and every enquiry” Stefan Meierhans has been the Swiss price inspector since 1 October 2008. The former Microsoft manager became Rudolf Strahm’s successor. Interview by Heinz Eckert

Swiss Review: Is your role more dealing with THE PRICE INSPECTOR complaints or acting as an ombudsman? Stefan Meierhans was born in 1968 in Alt- Stefan Meierhans: Actually, I handle stätten, in St.Gallen’s Valley. He stud- complaints as well as acting as an ombuds- ied law at the universities of Basel, Oslo and man and price regulator. These tasks go Uppsala, and received his doctorate from the hand in hand. If a consumer complains University of Basel in 1998. He went to work about a problem, but does not make any for the Federal Office of Justice and then headway with customer services, we at- spent six years at the General Secretariat of tempt to mediate directly and to help out. the Federal Department of Justice and Police, We often manage to achieve a successful as a member of the staff of Federal Council- outcome. It is astonishing how little impor- lors Koller and Metzler-Arnold. Most recently, tance many companies attach to customer Meierhans worked in the private sector. He is service. After all, customer care is the key a member of the Christian Democratic Party to sustainable success in business. We pro- (CVP) and also serves on the CVP’s executive cess and answer every letter and every en- committee in the Canton of Berne. He is mar- quiry. ried and lives with his family in Berne.

Is the public aware of what the price inspector can and cannot do, and what your role is? no fallback alternative to the train. The car We constantly receive enquiries on mat- is not another option. ters that have nothing to do with us. If, for Stefan Meierhans primarily sees himself as an ombuds m example, the price of Nespresso capsules Is Switzerland still an “island of high prices”, rises, we are unable to act as there are alter- so to speak? difficult to make comparisons. You have to natives and nobody is obliged to drink Nes- Statistics, for example, constantly show remember that Switzerland has higher sal- presso coffee. However, if the Swiss Fed- that Zurich and Geneva are among the most aries and much lower direct and indirect eral Railways (SBB) were to discriminate expensive cities in the world in terms of the taxes than other countries. The bottom line against commuters between Zurich and cost of living. Many Swiss pensioners spend is that the Swiss have more disposable Berne, this would be a case for the price in- their retirement abroad, where they can get money at the end of the month than many spectorate. This is because commuters have more for their money. However, it is very people abroad.

PRICE INSPECTION AS PART OF ECONOMIC POLICY In 1979, shortly after price inspection based on the federal decree In 1972, Switzerland’s economy overheated. To control the situation, expired, consumer organisations from German, French and Italian- the National Council and Council of States approved various measures, speaking Switzerland submitted the popular initiative “for the pre- including the inspection of prices, salaries and profits through a vention of the abuse of prices”. The initiative called for provisions on federal decree on 20 December 1972. With regard to salaries and prof- price inspection and price recommendations for goods and services. its, the role of the price inspector was to monitor developments, The consumer groups were, in particular, targeting companies with organise surveys and carry out negotiations. The inspector’s remit large market shares and cartels. with regard to prices was more extensive, as he was also able to Parliament and the Federal Council also put forward a counter reduce them. This power was only restricted in the areas of taxation proposal to the initiative, which only provided for price inspection in and property prices. times of high inflation. The referendum was held on 28 November As this decree invoked emergency law, it entered into force on the 1982. The counter proposal was defeated by a strikingly clear majority . 4 No day of resolution. It was limited in time until the end of 1975. In the of 65.3%, while the initiative was approved by 56.1% by the people same year, Parliament decided to extend price inspection until the and the cantons. end of 1978, with amended powers, owing to the sustained high rate The price inspection law was passed on 20 December 1985, and re- October 2009 / of inflation. The inspection of salaries and profits was no longer part vised in 1991. The prices of cartels and companies with large market of the price inspector’s mandate, and the inspection of prices was shares, under public and private law, have been subject to price in- ISS REVIEW

SW also restricted to specific areas and economic sectors. spection since 1991. Photo: donated OBITUARY 19

tor protects consumers from excessive Jean-René Bory prices and ensures transparency. It is ex- (1928 to 2009) tremely important that consumer interests are officially represented and defended. We With the death of Jean-René Bory, endeavour to assist everyone with a highly the Swiss international community unbureaucratic approach. Access to us has lost one of its most prominent should be as easy as possible for everyone. figures. In the 1950s, Bory began studying the ’s How often are the Internet and your blog foreign services, the Swiss regiments used? that have fought for the Kings of Our blog is like a virtual office, open 24 France, the Popes and other Euro- hours a day. In the first six months of the pean rulers since the 15th century. year, we had more than 1500 messages He soon extended the scope of his from citizens. That’s a lot. Even the Swiss work to explore the history of his abroad contact us, mainly in relation to compatriots in other professions – charges. diplomats and journalists, teachers and researchers, engineers and archi- Do you receive enough support from tects, businessmen and bankers, politicians? artists and authors, missionaries and As the price inspector, you don’t make development workers, confectioners many friends, but have plenty of enemies. and cheese-makers – who left their Politicians represent a vast array of inter- homeland for various reasons, influ- ests, and someone always loses out when the enced life in their adopted countries price inspector lowers prices. through their work and created strong bonds between Switzerland Do you think that the explosion in healthcare and the rest of the world. costs can be controlled? Jean-René Bory communicated Yes, I think so, if we stop providing fi nan- on three different levels: cial incentives for service providers to offer ■ He established and managed the s man in his role as price inspector. patients as much as possible. The price in- Museum of the Swiss Abroad (Musée spector will, in future, pay greater attention des Suisses dans le monde), initially in What is clearly too expensive in Switzerland? to outpatient services at hospital out- Coppet, and then from 1978 in Penthes Healthcare is very expensive, as are mo- patient units, as particularly high cost (Pregny, Geneva), with its collection bile telephony, data transmission and cer- increases have been identified here. and special exhibitions. tain imported goods, for which prices are Switzerland also has too many hospitals. ■ With his loyal “Amis suisses de set by the general importers. To put it sim- It is interesting to note that it is not the Versailles”, he undertook numerous ply, prices are too high anywhere where the elderly who account for the heaviest study trips to important locations market does not function properly. costs. in European history. ■ He often appeared as a speaker, And in which areas does the market What have you achieved so far as the produced radio programmes and not function properly? price inspector? acted as an exhibition guide. Bory There are, for instance, still import re- We have, for example, reduced postal possessed the unique talent of being strictions on foodstuffs. There is also insuf- charges and helped to ensure that public able to captivate his audience and ficient competition in the healthcare sector. transport costs have not risen. We have also inspire a love of history in them. The market is obviously not effective in the reduced the fees and charges of various Jean-René Bory’s legacy should be case of natural monopolies, such as with wa- community services and quasi-government preserved and his successors are fully ter and electricity, as an alternative provider enterprises, and we have helped to raise the committed to this task. However, is not available for every household. Neither awareness of the authorities and consum- they will only succeed by obtaining does the market function as it should in the ers. the moral, intellectual and fi nancial mobile communications sector. support of a sufficient number of What special qualities are required friends in Switzerland and abroad . 4 No Price inspection is a typically Swiss invention. of a price inspector? who share the view that this work is Has it proven its worth? You have to have a strong sense of worth enhancing and developing It most certainly has. The price inspector fairness and a sympathetic ear. You must be despite a lack of state funding. October 2009 / plays a key role, and not just as an ombuds- a good listener and able to communicate man. The Competition Commission deals well with people from all parts of the coun- BENEDIKT VON TSCHARNER President of the Foundation for the History ISS REVIEW

SW with competition, whereas the price inspec- try. of the Swiss Abroad 20 ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD

Camps for children where else in the world. What is so special are provided in cooperation with the aged 8 to 14 about the OSA camps? We’ll let the young Migros-Klubschule. OSA organises leisure people themselves tell you. activities, excursions and city tours on two There are still some places left on our afternoons a week. As the young people two New Year ski camps in Wildhaus New Year ski camp in Sedrun (Grisons) stay with Swiss host families, they gain a (St.Gallen) and Saas Grund ()! 26.12.2009 to 4.1.2010 first-hand insight into everyday Swiss life Whether they are skiers or snowboarders, “I can’t call this camp a vacation; I call it and have the opportunity to try out their beginners or at an advanced level, Swiss an adventure! It might sound childish but new language skills with their host parents. children abroad aged 8 to 14 can have I felt like Harry Potter going to Hogwarts. German course in Berne a great time at our winter camps. So many different people from so many places (4. to 15.1.2010) and now they are friends. It is a very nice French course in Fribourg Winter camp in Wildhaus (St.Gallen) feeling, because I criticized whoever I saw and (4. to 15.1.2010) Winter camp in Saas Grund (Valais) everything turned surprisingly wrong in a Date: Saturday, 26 December 2009 to good way. I liked it a lot and gained a lot from Monday, 4 January 2010 it: Snowboarding adventures. New Year. No. of participants: 48 Leaders. Appropriate moments of hilarious Cost: CHF 900 (contribution despair!” to the camp) Feedback from a participant Ski or snowboard hire: approx. CHF 150 of the 2007 camp

Registration Winter sports week in Grächen (Valais) Precise details on the winter camps and 27.2. to 6.3.2010 the registration form are available at “The camp is well-organised and the atmos- www.aso.ch (Offers / Offers for Children phere is very good. Each person is encouraged and Young People / Camps and offers / to have fun. I’ll tell my friends that OSA Holiday camps and travel - winter). offers this great opportunity, and it is really Reduced contribution rates are available worth giving it a try! Not all countries offer a in justified cases. The form required can programme like this for people living abroad. be requested on the registration form. We It is fantastic that Switzerland does! Lots of are also happy to post you our information fun and good memories.” brochure on request. The two winter Feedback from a participant camps in Wildhaus and Saas Grund are of the 2008 camp for adults the only SJAS offers available during the AJAS – New President 2009/10 winter season. Easter camp in Fiesch (Valais) The Association for the Promotion of 3.4. to 11.4.2010 Education for Young Swiss Abroad Summer camps for children aged 8 to 14 “I’ll tell my friends that first off I didn’t (AJAS) has had a new president since Registration for the summer camps will know what to expect and thought it would be the beginning of August 2009. Antonio begin on 15 February 2010. ok but not amazing, but as soon as the camp Hodgers, a Green Party National Coun- Precise details on the various summer began, it opened a door to a new world full cillor, has replaced former National Coun- camps in 2010 (dates, locations and age of new people that are fun, and an amazing cillor Remo Galli, who had been president groups, etc.) and the registration form will 8 days where I had fun each moment! Thank of the association since November 2001. be available from 15 February 2010 at you all so much for making this camp so As the president and representative of www.aso.ch (Offers / Offers for Children amazing!” AJAS, Antonio Hodgers was also elected and Young People / Camps and offers / Feedback from a participant to the Council of the Swiss Abroad at its Holiday camps and travel – summer). of the 2008 Easter camp meeting in Lucerne in August this year. If you would prefer to look through our We would like to thank Antonio offers on paper, you can order a brochure Educational offers for young Hodgers for his willingness to work on from the office from February 2010. behalf of young Swiss people abroad and people aged 14 and above to thank Remo Galli for the commitment Camps for young people OSA language courses are aimed at young he showed over the past few years. people with little or no knowledge of the Further information on educational . 4 No aged 14 and above language. They are beginners’ courses opportunities in Switzerland is available The Swiss abroad will visit three winter heavily geared towards developing conver- from the AJAS office: sports regions next season. OSA welcomes sational skills. OSA aims to encourage Alpenstrasse 26, CH-3006 Berne October 2009 / young people to the holiday destination participants to have the motivation to Tel.: +41 31 356 61 04, Fax: +41 31 356 61 01 that is Switzerland, where the presence continue learning the language and to de- E-mail: [email protected] ISS REVIEW

SW of nature is a little bit stronger than any- velop their knowledge. Language courses www.ajas.ch 21

Resolutions of the Council ernment to the Swiss abroad. In all parts These and many other questions were of the world where Swiss communities discussed on Saturday, 8 August 2009 in of the Swiss Abroad are found, consulates are being closed front of an audience of around 400 The Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) and information for the Swiss abroad Swiss abroad at the plenary meeting appointed its representatives for the has been subject to Draconian cuts held in the Swiss Museum of Transport period 2009-2013 at its meeting in the (“Swiss Review”) or once again called in Lucerne. Well-known speakers ex- hall of Lucerne’s cantonal parliament. into question (Swissinfo). The CSA has plored the myths and reality of the con- The debate focussed on the issues of called on federal government to make tribution made to Switzerland by Swiss political recognition for Swiss citizens the concerns of the Swiss abroad a pri- people living abroad in short presenta- abroad by the authorities and the ority and, to this end, to enact an imple- tions and round-table sessions. importance of providing information menting law for Article 40 of the Fed- The new chairman of the Swiss Post for them. These issues prompted the eral Constitution and to bring all Office, Claude Béglé, recalled his own passing of three resolutions concerning associated issues together under one de- experiences as a Swiss abroad in his Swissinfo, “Swiss Review” and federal partment. The CSA will contest any humorous opening speech entitled “The government’s policy towards the Swiss proposals aimed at reducing the provi- travel adventures of the Swiss Marco abroad. sion of information for the Swiss Polo”. The theatrical performance abroad; indeed, Swissinfo is at risk of delivered by the charismatic chairman The Council now has 140 members: 120 further budget cuts. Finally, the CSA of the Swiss Post Office captivated the Swiss abroad and 20 Swiss living in demanded a CHF 300,000 increase in audience and earned him an ovation. Switzerland (compared to 40 previ- the budget for “Swiss Review” for 2010 Federal Chancellor , ously). This means that greater weight is so that the magazine could once again representing the Federal Council, gave ascribed to the delegates of the Swiss be published six times a year instead of her speech at the end of the day. She communities abroad to strengthen the just four. said that the Swiss abroad were Switzer- Council’s representation of the interests land’s ambassadors on the international of the Swiss abroad. On behalf of the Congress of the Swiss stage but that they had unfortunately Council, its President, Jacques-Simon had little opportunity to express their Eggly, confirmed the results of the elec- Abroad in Lucerne opinions in Swiss political life. She ex- tion of delegates in which Swiss commu- The Swiss abroad met at their annual plained that it was therefore important nities around the world took part congress in Lucerne held over three to facilitate their access to the demo- through umbrella organisations of the days. More than 400 expatriates at- cratic process, in particular through e- Swiss associations and institutions rec- tended the 87th Congress of the Swiss voting. ognised by OSA. 45% of the delegates in Abroad. This year’s congress focussed On Sunday, exploring the city of Lu- the new Council were elected for the on the topic of the Swiss abroad them- cerne was on the itinerary with a guided first time. The average age of the dele- selves. The debate centred on whether tour of the historical centre and the sur- gates is 56, and 30% of them are women. the 700,000 Swiss living abroad repre- rounding area, including a trip to the The geographical spread is as follows: sent an asset for Switzerland. Rigi. Europe is the most strongly represented To what extent does a large and well- continent with 60 delegates, followed by organised Diaspora provide added value The next Congress of the Swiss Abroad North and South America (30 dele- for Switzerland? What benefits does the will be held in St. Gallen from 20 to 22 gates), Asia (16 delegates), Africa (8 del- network of contacts that Swiss people August 2010. egates) and Oceania (6 delegates). Each have established all over the world offer delegate represents the vote of 1000 Switzerland? How important is interna- Swiss citizens living abroad. Members tional experience and knowledge trans- elected who are based in Switzerland, fer for Switzerland and its economy? and who will represent the resolutions passed in plenary sessions to the Swiss authorities, include: Member of the Council of States Filippo Lombardi ORGANISATION OF THE SWISS ABROAD (CVP/TI) as well as National Council- Our services: lors Christa Markwalder Bär (FDP/ ■ Legal Department BE), Thérèse Meyer-Kaelin (CVP/FR), ■ Youth Service . 4 No Carlo Sommaruga (SP/GE), Antonio ■ Association for the Promotion of Education for Young Swiss Abroad (AJAS) Hodgers (Greens/GE), Hans Kaufmann ■ Committee for Swiss Schools Abroad (CSSA) (SVP/GE) and André Reymond (SVP/ ■ Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA) October 2009 / GE). The CSA is anxious about the waver- Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, CH–3006 Berne ISS REVIEW Phone +41 31 356 6100, Fax +41 31 356 6101, [email protected], www.aso.ch SW ing commitment shown by federal gov- 22 DISCOVERING SWITZERLAND

The Swiss winter offers the perfect winter break In Switzerland, guests enjoy the cosiest and most authentic winter breaks with a wide range of traditional chalets and fine local cuisine. Winter- time in Switzerland is ideal for the perfect winter break, offering winter sports, the charm of alpine chalets, spas, culinary delights, Christmas markets and lots more besides.

In Switzerland, the presence of nature is a little bit stronger than anywhere else in the world. Switzerland Tourism’s “get natural” slogan captures what guests can expect from holidays in Switzer- land in a nutshell: enjoy the winter – and surrounded by exquisite alpine scenery get a bit more natural yourself. Get natural by taking a winter hike or a husky-drawn sleigh ride Winter holidays in Switzerland: just like in the brochure through forests covered with fresh snow, go downhill skiing through powder snow, enjoy a trek in snow shoes high above the of the Alps, fresh mountain air, mountain scenery radiating peace clouds, go skating on frozen lakes, sledge down the valley or take a and quiet, and idyllic winter landscapes. hot air balloon trip above the winter mountain landscape. Find out how to really enjoy the winter at www.MySwitzerland. Of course, you will build up quite an appetite after all this activ- com or by reading Switzerland Tourism’s new winter brochure. ity. Each region offers its own individual dishes to satisfy your hun- This can be ordered free of charge from Switzerland Tourism ger. Traditional mountain cabins and refined eating houses offer a online at www.MySwitzerland.com/aso variety of traditional specialities. There is raclette in Valais, fondue in Fribourg, polenta in Ticino and capuns and salsiz in Grisons. Christmas markets There is a lot of fine food to discover – in a country where four lan- Swiss Christmas markets are a real treat. You can enjoy the roman- guages and cultures meet, each region has its own “national dish”. tic Christmas atmosphere of the Advent period in various Swiss You will find a Swiss ski and snowboarding school wherever a towns and villages. There is an abundance of local craftwork and mountain railway leads to winter snow. The youngest visitors re- Christmas delicacies, as well as cultural and musical performances. ceive tuition in the Swiss Snow Kids Village and are looked after by The markets are bathed in candlelight by evening and the air is Snowli, the mascot. Each school offers a standard course for the filled with the wonderful Christmas aromas of punch and cakes. different types of equipment and levels of learning – the Swiss The largest and most romantic Christmas markets are held Snow League. in Basel, Montreux, Einsiedeln, Bremgarten and Appenzell. A busy winter’s Further details on the different markets can be found at day will tire you out. www.MySwitzerland.com/aso Perhaps you will spend a night on ice Top event in an igloo, get your On 1 August 2009, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich opened head down in the two new permanent exhibitions: the “History of Switzerland” dormitory of a SAC and the “Collections Gallery”. With these exhibitions, the museum hut, sleep in the provides a comprehensive insight into Swiss history for the fi rst suite of a grand time and displays its own collections, focussing on handicrafts hotel or doze off in Sleeping in a dreamy chalet in Switzerland. Various media stations help visitors to under- front of a chalet stand Swiss history and the exhibits. They offer a more in-depth fireplace. If you are not ready for bed just yet, why not enjoy a glass knowledge of the history of Switzerland and the history of of mulled wine at a snow bar after a torch-lit descent, play a game individual pieces. To mark the re-opening of the main part of the of cards in a ski cabin over a Kafi Luz, a coffee with apple and pear National Museum, Swiss citizens schnapps, or party the night away in a nightclub – alpine nightlife abroad can visit the museum is extremely diverse, not to mention legendary. at special rates until 31 January After so much enjoyment, you will occasionally want to take it 2010: there is a 2-for-1 offer easy. In the seclusion of the Alps, wellness is provided in an exqui- on. For more details, visit site natural setting – hot springs rich in minerals from the depths www.MySwitzerland.com/aso . 4 No

If you REGISTER with Network Switzerland by 31 January 2010 at A collaboration between Switzerland Tourism and the Organisation October 2009 / of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) www.MySwitzerland.com/aso you will automatically be entered into the prize draw for a 3-night stay for two persons, including breakfast, at a 3* hotel, switzerland.com

.2-day ski passes for Villars Gryonןmy plus 2 ISS REVIEW SW Photo: ECHO 23

■ Did you say Jurassic? “The department of defence is the best – the other departments pore over stake in UBS. By divesting Almost 8,000 new dinosaur files, while we deal with tanks and aircraft.” the convertible bond under- tracks have been discov- , Federal Councillor and Minister of Defence written in October 2008 to ered at Courtedoux in “If it came down to a choice between higher health insurance premiums save the bank from ruin, the the Canton of Jura. The and benefit restrictions, the people would support price increases.” federal government has got site is four times bigger Pascal Couchepin, Federal Councillor and Interior Minister its investment back in full (4,000 m2) than the one “From the European Union’s perspective, Switzerland’s intellectual and and made a profit of CHF discovered in 2002. Dating innovative prowess would certainly represent an enrichment.” 1.2 billion. That is an annual back around 152 million Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, German Minister for Economic Affairs return of more than 30% in years, the tracks measure eight months. “I love the 1st of August. But there are far fewer flags and lanterns hang- up to 80 cm in diameter. ■ Switzerland and the USA ing from the windows on this day of patriotic celebration than during ■ The Dalai Lama attrac- have reached an extrajudi- football tournaments.” Suzette Sandoz, former Liberal National Councillor ted a full house on 4 and and professor of law cial agreement in principle 5 August at the Malley ice “The Rütli Oath tells you that we don’t need or want big chiefs in Swit- concerning the US tax rink in Lausanne. Almost authorities’ case against zerland.” Peter von Matt, professor of literature, 13,000 spectators from in his 1 August speech on the Rütli UBS. Switzerland’s leading across Switzerland and “Switzerland was not an idyll during the Second World War. If you want bank is to provide data on Europe squeezed in to hear to understand what everyday life was like back then, you cannot dismiss 4,450 American clients who a series of teachings and the fear of a genuine threat.” are likely to face prosecu- conferences on the art of François de Capitani, historian and curator at the Swiss National Museum, tion for tax fraud. The US happiness. As the visit was on the television series “Alpenfestung” (Alpine Fortress) judicial authorities had been made on religious grounds, “The government’s image is not the same everywhere: in French-speaking demanding the names of the Nobel Peace Prize lau- Switzerland cantonal councillors are seen as bigwigs, while in Central 52,000 American clients reate was not received by Switzerland they are seen as colleagues who also go to the town hall as a suspected of tax evasion. a member of the Federal secondary duty.” Rainer Schweizer, professor of public law The negotiations carried Council. at the University of St.Gallen out by the Swiss govern- ■ Recognised cases of A “The Swiss, Danes and Norwegians work the most. These are also the ment cost the country al- (H1N1) infl uenza topped countries with the lowest unemployment figures and where workers earn most CHF 40 million in the 500 mark in Switzerland the most.” Beat Kappeler, publicist administrative costs, which in August. Three hundred are once again to be met of the victims were infected by the taxpayer. on trips abroad and around ■ Are Swiss roads safer? 100 in Switzerland. While This is debatable as “boy these figures are very low, racer” accidents always it has not prevented a media seem to be in the news. frenzy or stopped people However, the number of from buying protective traffic accidents last year masks en masse. Assuming fell to its lowest level since swine flu hits Switzerland 1945. There were 63 times on the same scale as in fewer cars on the road back Mexico, the number of then and the population Swiss infected would only of Switzerland was just be just over a thousand. 4.5 million. ■ The devastating hail ■ The mounted police have storm of 23 July caused ■ Hugo Loetscher, the Zurich-born author, has died at the age of 79. After the loss returned to Berne every half a billion francs’ worth of Dürrenmatt and Frisch, this eternal traveller was the last remaining giant in Swiss summer since 1985. The literature. Editor of Weltwoche from 1964, the double Schiller Prize winner was the of damage in Switzerland. author of “Abwässer” (Drainwater, 1963) and “Der Immune” (The Immune Man, traditional equestrian Harvests were destroyed, 1975). Published in August, his last book, “War meine Zeit meine Zeit” (Was My Time patrols, established in 1914 My Time), is a literary legacy. cars dented and the façades for the city’s national exhi- of houses bombarded with bition, are not just a tourist hail stones the size of golf “The weather has granted us ships in Miskolc, Hungary. attraction. On horseback, . 4 No balls. The steep repair a 4th economic recovery Simone Niggli-Luder and police officers are at the bill and the work involved programme.” Daniel Hubmann both perfect height for surveil- inspired a light-hearted ■ The Swiss team won three won the main long distance lance in crowds or traffic. October 2009 /

one response from Patrick gold medals, two silver and race. This mode of transport is yst Lucca of the Swiss Trade four bronze at the World ■ The Swiss government also environmentally ISS REVIEW AW/RR SW Association. He said: Orienteering Champion- has sold its CHF 6 billion friendly. Photo: Ke