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Jjuniune 2013 // NNo.r.3 3

Parliament’s younger members – adept at stealing the limelight

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Swiss allies drift away

ne issue is currently high on the agenda for many states, notably 5 Switzerland’s neighbours – the collection of taxes on assets which their citizens Mailbag Ohave concealed from the fiscal authorities using various schemes and often with 5 the assistance of financial institutions. The pursuit of those evading taxation and see- Books: Visions of and for Switzerland king optimized tax solutions is understandable in light of the debt situation facing many countries. Switzerland “the tax haven” finds itself directly in the firing line of many 6 disgruntled governments. Hardly a day goes by without criticism being levelled at Swit- Images: Emigration explored at museum zerland or the pressure being stepped up. Switzerland has also in recent months lost its last remaining allies – Luxembourg and Austria – in its fight against the automatic 8 exchange of information and complete transparency. ’s young generation Switzerland now finds itself in an extremely awkward situation. And what has the 13 response been? The actions and comments of our government and the conduct of Turmoil over defence policy our Parliament have done little to inspire confidence. An ill-tempered cacophony has been heard from Berne. This does little to improve our nation’s position or image 14 in the world. Contract children – Federal Council apologises Many letters and emails sent by readers to the editorial team lead us to conclude that this situation is increasingly having 16 an impact on the Swiss abroad. And in the midst of all this, Literature series: Alfonsina Storni the ­Federal Council has now also activated the safety-valve clause which puts restrictions on immigration from all EU Regional news ­states. This has made everything even more unpleasant even if on closer inspection it is clear that the Federal Council’s ­decision is a ­measure aimed more at alleviating domestic po- 17 litical tension than an effective means of combating immigration and the issues Villa Patumbah – A home rich in history ­associated with it. These issues were explored in the April edition of the 20 “Swiss Review”. Interview with George Andrey, author of In the current edition we pay particular attention to various players and events in a book on French-speaking Switzerland Parliament. The focus-topic article looks at the younger generation of politicians under 40 years of age on the national political scene. Many of these young MPs have 22 an advantage over their more senior colleagues – they are highly adept at handling Kite-surfing enjoys huge popularity the media and take every opportunity that arises to raise their profile and to en- hance their popularity. Some have thereby quickly established themselves as key 24 ­figures in political opinion-making. OSA advice Finally, our reporter Jürg Müller looks at Switzerland’s army and defence policy 27 by observing developments during Parliament’s spring session. He reveals where Notes from parliment uncertainty lies and which contentious issues the Swiss people are ultimately likely to be called to decide upon. 30 Barbara Engel Echo

Cover image: The younger members of the Swiss Parliament do not shy away from high-profile or unusual public appearances: Pascale Bruderer at the Swiss Award, Toni Brunner with the mascot “Zottel”, Cédric Wer- muth at Credit Suisse’s annual general meeting and Christa Markwalder as an advocate of the EU (clockwise). Photos: Keystone

IMPRint: “Swiss Review”, the magazine for the Swiss abroad, is in its 40th year of publication and is published in German, French, Italian, English and Spanish in 14 regional editions.

3 It has a total circulation of 400,000, including 140,000 electronic copies. Regional news appears four times a year. The ordering parties are fully responsible for the content of advertisements and promotional inserts. This content does not necessarily represent the opinion of either the editorial office or the publisher. ■ EDITORS: Barbara Engel (BE), Editor-in-Chief; Marc Lettau (MUL); Jürg Müller (JM); Alain Wey (AW); Jean-François Lichtenstern (JFL), responsible for “Notes from Parliament”, Relations with the Swiss Abroad, FDFA, 3003 Berne, Switzerland. Translation: CLS Communication AG ■ LAYOUT: Herzog Design, Zurich ■ POSTAL ADDRESS: Publisher, editorial office, advertising:

w June 2013 / No. Organi­sation of­ the Swiss Abroad, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Tel.: +41313566110, Fax: +41313566101, Postal account (Swiss National Giro): 30-6768-9. ■ EMAIL: [email protected] ■ PRINT: Vogt-Schild Druck AG, 4552 Derendingen. ■ 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 30 / abroad: CHF 50). Subscribers are sent the magazine direct from Berne.

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«DAS BESTE INTERNATS-GYMNASIUM DER SCHWEIZ» Die Weltwoche 23/2012 Mailbag BOOKS 5

Election of Federal Council ents is declining accordingly. Un- If the original cantons left Switzerland. Despair and The article “Will the people soon rest and instability are to be happiness are often not that far apart, as is the case in be electing the Federal Council?” anticipated. s caricatures and satire, for example. Both exaggerate the is most enlightening. The upcom- Hansruedi Gut, Angeles City facts and often get closer to the heart of the matter ing debates have the potential to than many an in-depth analysis. Or, in the words of trigger fierce controversy. In order Immigration Charles Lewinsky: “Caricatures can give a better reflec- to avoid confrontations between Xenophobic sentiment is nothing tion than mirror images.” This Swiss author is a master certain political parties and the new but comes to the fore primar- of sardonic satire. In his latest book entitled “Schwei- present Federal Council and Par- ily during times of economic zen: 24 Zukünfte” (Switzerlands: 24 futures) he merci- liament, I have the following pro- hardship, high population density lessly transposes current trends into a future that is not posal. In the time-honoured Swiss and excessive immigration. A altogether encouraging. tradition, in the future, half of the small country like Switzerland The book also provides strong evidence that Charles Le- members of the Federal Council has reached its absolute growth winsky is Switzerland’s most multi-talented writer. He is could be elected by the people and limit with a population of eight a director, editor, columnist and screenplay writer as well

the other half by Parliament. Un- million. A halt to immigration is kindsSwitzerland All of as the author of great historical novels, such as “Melnitz” fortunately the number of mem- inevitable. Annual immigration and “Gerron”. He displays the full gamut of his talents in his bers in the Federal Council is an quotas would regulate the prob- latest book. Each of the 24 stories is told in a different form of odd number. Since the Swiss are lem fairly. Granting Swiss citizen- writing – readers are presented with a screenplay, a set of mi- notorious for rounding up their ship to immigrants should be nutes, a school essay, a diary, a job application, a last will and bills, I suggest that the number of made subject to the renunciation testament, a memorandum and even a federal charter. Various this honourable consortium be in- of any previous citizenship, as is literary styles are also deployed, including the theatre perfor- creased to the next even number the case in many countries. mance, the crime story, the ballad, the fairy tale, the fable and which is eight. Daniel Guggisberg, the science-fiction story. None of this is done for “some deeper Anton Andereggen, Redondo Beach, USA reason”, as Lewinsky writes in the foreword, “but quite simply Maple Valley, USA because I enjoyed letting myself go stylistically”. Thank you He does not just let himself go stylistically, but themati- Federal Council elections A reader complained about the cally as well. Uri, and declare, by federal Switzerland’s system of “consen- bias shown by Barbara Engel, edi- charter, that they will leave Switzerland “at the beginning of sus government” is unique, and tor-in-chief, in making the “Swiss the month of August in the year of our Lord 2072” because it for it to work its composition must Review” left-leaning by focusing has acceded to the EU. We also experience the triumph of take account of the various lan- too heavily on the Greens and not technical progress and the salvation of Swiss tourism thanks guages, faiths and regions. An enough on the Swiss People’s to the invention of artificial snow, which provides a durable election of the Federal Council by Party. While it is right that this top-quality blanket in summer, too, even down in the valley. the people would not ensure this, publication should not seek to po- We learn which qualities are required to succeed in a popular and the various facets of Swiss so- larise its readers, I am personally election of the Federal Council in a dialogue between a candi- ciety would no longer be repre- delighted to see it finally provide date and his election campaign adviser. Visitors to the Ballen- sented. The outcome would be an accurate reflection of Switzer- berg 2 open-air museum in 2064 can see extinct animals – political polarisation like in the land after years when it seemed which produce a distinctive white-coloured liquid – brought USA, and what a shame that that the less one addressed the re- back to life by genetic engineering. Incidentally, Ballenberg 2 would be. alities the better. Thank you for “is located in the middle of the Brienz-Ballenberg city district, Hans Leuthold, Santa Cruz providing us once more with edi- a region that is still very rural and sparsely torial clear-sightedness. populated with fewer than 300,000 inhabi- Immigration policy Philippe Lemoine, France tants”. Everything is relative, including the Immigration in the 1960s went perception of a sparsely populated region. hand-in-hand with an economic Wide selection of topics Swiss democracy is also relative, at least boom and salary adjustments I have been living abroad as long when the country suddenly has a Federal twice a year. Salaries have now re- as I previously lived in Switzer- President appointed for life. After his mained constant for the last 15 land, about 34 years each. I enjoy death he lies in state in a mausoleum years in terms of purchasing the “Swiss Review”. I often read it which school parties are obliged to visit. power, and the average Swiss per- cover to cover, particularly since Upon whom is this honour bestowed? That

3 son lives on a tight budget. Barbara Engel has taken editorial is not revealed. But one thing is for sure: Women going out to work has be- control. Her wide selection of top- Charles Lewinsky’s negative utopias provide amusing reading come a normal part of family life, ics of interest is appreciated, but even if the humour is often somewhat caustic. It is clever en- whereas this was the exception what I enjoy even more are her as- tertainment, which is not just funny but also highly political. and frowned upon 50 years ago. tute comments. I hope she will JÜRG MÜLLER Tolerance towards rivals in the la- stay at the helm for a while yet. ss Review June 2013 / No. Charles Lewinsky: “Schweizen. 24 Zukünfte”. Verlag Nagel & Kimche,

Swi donated Photo: bour market and benefit recipi- Heinrich Benz, Australia 2013. 176 pages. CHF 25.90, EUR 21.10 6 Images

Driven by poverty and freedom Switzerland was a nation of emigration for a long pe- riod, something which is often forgotten today. Be- tween the 15th century and the first few decades of the 20th century, hundreds of thousands of people left Switzerland due to and eco- nomic hardship to seek a better life elsewhere in the world. An exhibition on emigration from ,

An alleyway in in the early morning – a photograph by Herbert Maeder A portrait of Arthur Beyer, the painter and graphic artist born in 1904, by Herbert Maeder in the spe- cial exhibition at the Appenzell Volkskunde-Museum 3

“The Original Baumgartner”, the Swiss tavern with cheese shop has existed in Wisconsin since 1931 150 years of Nueva Helvecia in Uruguay was celebr ated with military parades in 2012. Around 1,000 ss Review June 2013 / No. Swiss abroad currently live in this South American country Photos: donated, Appenzeller Museen Appenzeller donated, Photos: Swi 7

staged at two museums, uses individual stories and biographies to shows what emigration is all about and how emigrants to all parts of the world attempt to in- tegrate a bit of their old homeland into their new one. “Appenzeller Auswanderung – Von Not und Freiheit” exhibition at the Volkskunde-Museum in Stein and at the Brauchtumsmuseum in Urnäsch. Duration: until 27 October in Stein, until 13 January 2014 in Urnäsch. www.appenzeller-museum-stein.ch; www.museum-urnaesch.ch.

A portrait of Arthur Beyer, the painter and graphic artist born in 1904, by Herbert Maeder in the spe- Emigrants aboard a ship approaching New York, taken in 1915 by Edwin Levick cial exhibition at the Appenzell Volkskunde-Museum

150 years of Nueva Helvecia in Uruguay was celebr ated with military parades in 2012. Around 1,000 Many traditions have continued for generations in New , founded in 1845 Swiss abroad currently live in this South American country 8 Focus

Young politicians under the Federal Palace dome

The proportion of National Councillors below the age of 40 stood at 18% at the 2011 elections. The number of young ­politicians has not been as high for almost a century. Who are these young high-flyers, and why are they being elected? By Seraina Gross

They have not yet turned 30 but already they doubled in comparison to previous elections. Brunner’s cow “Rösli” and his dog “Bäärli” be- are well up the political career ladder. Among It is in fact higher today than the proportion came newsworthy. Today, almost 18 years and the young stars in the Swiss Parliament at the of the population that age group comprises,” four National Council elections later, Toni beginning of June, four National Councillors Seitz remarks. The average age of National Brunner – who is still under 40 – has long been had yet to celebrate their 30th birthday. Councillors elected in 2011 stood at 50 – two a firm fixture in Berne. He failed to make the Young Socialist Cédric Wermuth was elected years lower than in 2003. In 1999, two under- career step to the Council of States but he did to the large chamber in at the age of 30s were elected to Parliament, while there succeed at the head of the SVP just 25 at the federal elections in October 2011, were five in 2003, six in 2007 and four in 2011. in 2008 following the latter’s election to the as was Mathias Reynard, also aged 25, a Federal Council. teacher and Social Democrat from the village The star from St. Gallen of Savièse in . The others are two The election of Toni Brunner in 1995 caused a From “accident” to strategy Bernese politicians, Aline Trede (29) of the sensation. The young farmer and current The election of Toni Brunner marked the start Greens and Nadine Masshardt (28) of the So- Party President of the Swiss People’s Party of a trend. A few more young politicians have cial Democrats. Both moved up to the Na- (SVP) became the youngest National Coun- since made the step up to Berne every four

Aline Trede, Greens Céline Amadruz, SVP Christian Wasserfallen, FDP

tional Council at the beginning of March to cillor of all time when he was elected at the age years. In 1999, Brunner was joined by someone replace party colleagues Franziska Teuscher of just 21. The former Party President, Hans of his own age for the first time with the arrival and Ursula Wyss, who had been elected to Uhlmann, persuaded the young politician to of Bernese Social Democrat Ursula Wyss. Berne’s city government. stand for election. The cantonal SVP in St. However, the election of this Young Socialist While Switzerland’s population is ageing Gallen, which had only recently been founded, was no “accident” but rather the result of a stra- all the time, its politicians are getting younger was participating in National Council elec- tegic decision. The Social Democratic Party and younger. The proportion of those under tions for the first time. It was lacking numbers. (SP) in Berne deliberately focussed on the ap- the age of 40 stood at 18 per cent at the 2011 Nobody expected Toni Brunner to be peal of young faces and put the then 26-year- National Council elections. This is the high- elected to the National Council – he was ex- old Wyss right at the top of its National Coun- est figure for almost a hundred years, as an tremely young, he did not come from a prom- cil list. The young Bernese politician later overview produced by the Federal Statistical inent or wealthy family, and he lacked the po- became faction president, the most important Office reveals. You would have to go back to litical experience that comes with the usual position within the party after the Party Pres-

3 1919 to find a comparably high proportion of hard slog through school administration, ident. However, she too failed to secure election National Councillors aged under 40, at 21.2 communal council and cantonal parliament. to the Council of States in March 2011. The So- %. Werner Seitz, a political scientist at the He himself calls it an “accident” – no wonder cial Democrat lost out to Adrian Amstutz, the Federal Statistical Office, points out that this whizz kid was swamped by the media. SVP candidate from the Bernese Oberland. there has primarily been an increase in the The “Blick” newspaper extolled his big brown The strategy of introducing young faces to

ss Review June 2013 / No. number of 30 to 39 year olds. “The number eyes and complexion “as healthy as the air in attract votes during election campaigns set a Swi Photos: donated Photos: of politicians elected in this age bracket has Hundsrücken above Ebnat-Kappel”. Even precedent. The SP, then the SVP and finally 9

also the centre parties recognised the strength erage to discuss children, careers, a lack of youngsters under their wing. The SP has of the “young (and female)” argument. At the childcare places and the abiding political is- also set up a programme to promote young 2007 elections, the SVP in Zurich put Natalie sue of work-life balance from personal expe- talent. The party secretariat of the Chris- Rickli, who was just 30, in second place on its rience. The Zurich Green politician Bastien tian Democrat People’s Party (CVP) spe- National Council list, right behind the then Girod scored points with the public and the cifically aims to ensure that young politi- Party President Ueli Maurer. The young pol- media in December 2007 when he cycled the cians are given an opportunity at events itician, who had only recently been elected to 130 kilometres from Zurich to Berne for the when more senior representatives are tied Zurich’s cantonal parliament, easily won her first session. up. Talented young politicians are also given seat in Berne and was re-elected in 2011 with the chance to assume responsibility when- 145,776 votes – even ahead of Christoph A provocateur ever possible by the SVP. “This is not a mar- Blocher, who had been deselected from the Cédric Wermuth, the President of the Young keting measure,” explains SVP spokesper- Federal Council and was standing again for Socialists, pushes things to the limit and son Kevin Grangier. “The involvement of the National Council. sometimes beyond. In 2008, he lit up a joint young people constitutes political ground- Being young is nevertheless no guarantee of on stage at the SP’s party conference to pro- work.” electoral success. Anita Borer, the young SVP mote the legalisation of cannabis. He is also The parties are not just doing all this for candidate from Zurich, suffered the bitter responsible for the tasteless poster produced the joy of it, they are also under pressure. taste of defeat at the same election. She failed during the referendum campaign on the ini- Young people today are no longer prepared to secure a seat in Berne despite being placed tiative for a ban on the export of munitions. to wait in line for years on end. They are self- high on the list right behind . It depicted Federal Councillor Doris assured, ambitious and believe in themselves. Leuthard with blood on her hands. But the This is also evident in the youth parties. Young politicians are media-savvy approach adopted by this provocative figure These are no longer an appendage of the par- Left-wing, right-wing or green, young politi- from Aargau is paying dividends. He now rep- ent party but instead independent parties cians are not all of the same opinion. But one resents the SP in the National Council. Orig- with their own agenda.

Marco Romano, CVP Mathias Reynard, SP Natalie Rickli, SVP

thing the young representatives of all parties inality, too, can help achieve objectives. Aline Although the parties, with very few excep- have in common is that they are extremely Trede, a Green politician from Berne, illus- tions, are focussing on youth, it is mainly in good at dealing with the media. “Young peo- trates this point. In 2011, she posed on her the parties at either end of the spectrum that ple have grown up in a highly media-oriented election campaign poster wearing a green politicians under 30 are being elected to the world and know how to project themselves,” shirt with an anti-nuclear sticker and a red- National Council. “Growing parties, such as explains Zurich-based political scientist Mi- and-white polka dot bandana, showing off her the SVP, have shorter waiting lists,” remarks chael Hermann. “And that is useful if you want biceps and smiling. The poster won awards, Zurich-based political scientist Michael to become a National Councillor.” and the young Bernese candidate secured the Hermann. “This makes it easier for young It is very evident that young politicians first replacement position. politicians to be elected.” Examples include have less fear of the spotlight than older ones. Jasmin Hutter, the SVP politician from St. Nothing is taboo for them, even their private Young talent promoted everywhere Gallen, who was elected to the National lives, especially if a political message can be The parties have grasped that youth is as at- Council in 2003, and her party colleague Lu- worked in. Ursula Wyss and Pascale Bruderer, tractive in politics as in other walks of life. kas Reimann. Also from St. Gallen, he se- her party peer from Aargau, posed back to They appreciate the appeal of their young cured election in 2007 at the age of just 25. back when pregnant in 2011 for the popular members and are now focussing intensively magazine “Schweizer Illustrierte”. The fea- on the development of young politicians. The young stars in the “small chamber” ture looked at whether pregnancy could be The Liberals have established a mentoring Of the centre parties, only the Liberals combined with a Council of States election programme for young politicians where es- (FDP) initially managed to secure the elec- campaign. Both young women used the cov- tablished campaigners take up-and-coming tion of a young star – Christa Markwalder 10 Focus

was 28 years old when she was sworn into the Berset also helped to improve its image. He August. “He could be my grandfather,” says National Council in December 2003. She was became the youngest President of the Coun- Marco Romano. “But it makes no difference – joined in the National Council four years cil of States of all time before being elected on the contrary, we share lots of laughs.” later by a second up-and-coming young Lib- to the Federal Council in December 2011 at eral – Christian Wasserfallen. Wasserfallen the age of 39. Around 50 on average benefited from having a prominent name as Reduced in size, the CVP did not manage to The Green Liberals (GLP) stand out on ac- the son of the now deceased head of the send a National Councillor aged under 30 to count of their young faces. This recently es- Bernese police department. Since the 2011 Berne until the 2011 elections. Marco Romano, tablished political party has set itself the ob-

Nadine Masshardt, SP Raphaël Comte, FDP Tiana Angelina Moser, GLP

elections, a Liberal has become the youngest a young politician from , was selected for jective of achieving reconciliation between member of the much-vaunted “chambre de the National Council in Ticino by the drawing ecology and the economy. “The phenomenon réflexion” – Raphaël Comte from Neuchâtel of lots after he and his internal party opponent that new parties lead to a lowering of the age was elected to the Council of States shortly won exactly the same number of votes in the of politicians is nothing new,” remarks polit- after his 30th birthday. He and Pascale Bru- election. The young star of the CVP now sits ical scientist Werner Seitz. “This has oc- derer, the Social Democrat from Aargau, are in Berne next to the senior parliamentarian curred repeatedly in the past irrespective of responsible for ensuring that the smaller Jacques Neirynck from . The former pro- whether new parties were right-wing or left- chamber no longer lives up to its traditional fessor at the Federal Institute of Technology wing.” In 2007, Tiana Angelina Moser of the elderly image. The Social Democrat Alain Lausanne will celebrate his 83rd birthday in GLP in Zurich entered the National Coun-

Children, too, get involved in politics for the Youth Session at the Swiss National Youth Council. “I Children and young people are interested in politics. The current don’t know of any other country that has anything like this.” SVP Party President Toni Brunner apparently began reading news- The 200 or so participants, aged between 14 and 21, do not have papers regularly at the age of 12, while the Green Party’s Bernese a formal right to submit motions but their petitions have the National Councillor Aline Trede made her grandmother turn off the same status as citizens’ petitions. “The resolutions of the Youth tap when brushing her teeth to save water. However, involvement Session cannot be ignored,” says Küchler. is not restricted to such acts. Children and young people can also Another route is via “Juse direct” (Youth Session direct). The take part in the political process. In Switzerland, this happens dur- principle is that young people attempt to win over a sitting Na- ing the Youth Session in Berne and at around 50 local and regional tional Councillor to support their issues. This was successful in children’s and young people’s . the case of Lukas Reimann and the ban on private poker games. In 1991, a Youth Session was held at the Federal Palace for the The St. Gallen SVP National Councillor submitted a motion to lift first time to mark the 700th anniversary of the confederation. For the ban, and private poker games are now permitted again. once, young people sat in the seats usually occupied by greying Much has also been done in recent years at municipal and can- men and a few women in suits. On that occasion, the youngsters tonal level to involve young people in politics. There are now called for better environmental protection, a Switzerland that was cantonal youth parliaments throughout French-speaking Swit-

3 open to the world and showed solidarity, and Switzerland’s rapid zerland, Ticino and north-western Switzerland, with the excep- accession to the European Union. The event became an institution tion of Neuchâtel. They are somewhat thinner on the ground in that today has a firm place in the political calendar. central and eastern Switzerland. Aargau, , Uri and St. Gallen, along with the two Appenzells, are on board, while Winning over politicians to support issues youth sessions take place every three years in and Thur- “It is not about getting a taste of life in Berne. It is a question of gau. Political initiatives to establish youth parliaments are ss Review June 2013 / No. Photos: donated Photos: Swi political participation,” explains Micha Küchler, project manager pending in Berne, Zurich and . “We have set ourselves 11

cil at the age of 28. However, no Green Lib- in a society where being young is a major Parliamentarians under 40 (reference date 1 June 2013) erals under the age of 30 managed to win a drawing card,” says Werner Seitz. “That is First name Name Party Canton YOB Deputy since seat in the 2011 elections. With an average age no different in politics.” The Zurich-based National Council of 45.5, they nevertheless have a young team political scientist Michael Hermann be- Sebastian Frehner SVP BS 1973 2010 in Berne. The National Councillors of the lieves the good electoral chances of young Toni Brunner SVP SG 1974 1995 Green Party had an average age of 49.5 in 2011, politicians are also explained by reconcilia- Andrea Geissbühler SVP BE 1976 2007 just slightly lower than that of the Liberals at tion between the generations after 1968. Natalie Rickli SVP ZH 1976 2007 Thomas aeschi SVP ZG 1979 2011 49.6. The Federal Council party with the The generation of 1968 adopted the maxim Céline amaudruz SVP GE 1979 2011 highest average age at 52.7 years is Federal “don’t trust anyone over 30”, but the older Nadja Pieren SVP BE 1980 2011 Councillor Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf’s generation also mistrusted the young along Lukas Reimann SVP SG 1982 2007 Conservative Democratic Party (BDP), the lines of “don’t trust anyone under 30”. Evi allemann SP BE 1978 2003 which broke away from the SVP. The SVP’s “All that has changed,” explains Hermann. Valérie Piller SP FR 1978 2011 Jean Chr. Schwaab SP vD 1979 2011 average age is almost identical at 52.3 years. Asking young politicians how they explain Nadine Masshardt SP BE 1984 2013 However, the National Councillors of the their election produces some remarkably sim- Cédric wermuth SP aG 1986 2011 CVP (50.6 years) and the SP (48.7 years) are ple answers. “I was out campaigning on the Mathias Reynard SP vS 1987 2011 significantly younger. streets almost every day,” says the Green Par- Olivier Feller FDP/Lib VD 1974 2011 ty’s Aline Trede. She distributed 40,000 vot- Christa Markwalder FDP/Lib BE 1975 2003 Improved chances of election ing cards. Céline Amaudruz, an up-and-com- Petra Gössi FDP/Lib SZ 1976 2011 Andrea Caroni FDP/Lib AR 1980 2011 Being young has long since been an asset ing SVP politician from , also Christian wasserfallen FDP/Lib BE 1981 2007 rather than a disadvantage in politics. This emphasised her street campaign. Her high Stefan Müller CVP SO 1976 2011 is also reflected in the chances of election. profile as cantonal party president and a Yannick Buttet CVP vS 1977 2011 “Younger candidates today have a much bet- member of Geneva’s city council helped. Her Martin Candinas CVP GR 1980 2011 ter chance of election than older ones,” ex- profession also stood her in good stead among Marco Romano CVP TI 1982 2011 Thomas Maier GLP ZH 1975 2011 plains Werner Seitz. Candidates aged 25 to the bankers of Geneva – Amaudruz works as Kathrin Bertschy GLP BE 1979 2011 34 achieved an election quota of 37 in 2011. an asset manager. To sum up, face-to-face Tiana A. Moser GLP ZH 1979 2007 This means that the number of people in this contact with the electorate is still an absolute Greens GE 1976 2007 age group being elected was around one must for anyone seeking election to the Fed- Bastien Girod Greens ZH 1980 2007 third the number of candidates in that age eral Palace at the start of the 21st century, de- Aline Trede Greens BE 1983 2013 Lorenzo Quadri Lega TI 1974 2011 bracket. Among candidates aged 65 to 74, spite Facebook, Twitter and blogs. only one in 50 was elected. The under-for- Council of States seraina gross is a correspondent for the “Basler ties are therefore less underrepresented in Zeitung” in French-speaking Switzerland and a Pascale Bruderer SP aG 1977 2002 politics today than the over-sixties. “We live freelance journalist Raphaël Comte FDP/Lib NE 1979 2010

the target of establishing a youth schools and the city of Berne’s parliament in every canton sooner parliament for withdrawing its or later,” explains Maurus Blumen- support of the children’s carnival thal, director of the Swiss Federa- and failing to provide funds for tion of Youth Parliaments. the soap box derby. Whether the influx of young An award for shameful behaviour faces in politics in recent years is There are also dozens of municipal the result of the greater involve- and regional children’s and youth ment of young people is some- parliaments. They usually deal with thing the organisers of the Youth matters like skateboard parks, play Session of Parliament are cur- areas, night buses and other press- rently trying to establish. Micha ing issues for children and young Küchler points to several former people. But they also tackle more Lucerne’s youth parliament youth politicians who have now serious political issues. The entered politics at a senior level.

3 Bernese children’s parliament has twice awarded its “shameful They are all from French-speaking Switzerland. The Social Demo- behaviour prize” to the Bernese power plant operator BKW for its crat Mathias Reynard, currently the youngest member of the Na- unfriendly attitude towards children. BKW had failed to decom- tional Council, took part in the youth parliament in Valais as a mission the Mühleberg nuclear power plant despite a German youngster. Olivier Feller, the Liberal National Councillor from study concluding that the facility was not completely safe. The Vaud, and , his 35-year-old party colleague from prize was a piranha made by the youngsters themselves. Other Geneva and executive council member, once helped to organise ss Review June 2013 / No. Photo: donated Photo: Swi candidates were Berne’s city council for making cutbacks in the Swiss youth parliament. 12 Politics

The battle over the Olympics Proponents had promised a highly sustainable Olympic Games. But the dream has ended prematurely – the electorate of the canton of Grisons has rejected the staging of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz and Davos. Why has there been such scepticism in Switzerland towards the Games that are so coveted worldwide? By Marc Lettau

Who remembers the 2010 much of a “money-making Olympic Games in Berne machine for the IOC”. and Montreux? You will not recall them because Structural obstacles they never took place. The In Switzerland, the canton Berne-Montreux bid was where the proposed venue is prematurely derailed by located makes the decision the people of Berne. They on an Olympic bid. But the did not like the idea of Games overstretch individ- ­sacrificing the federal ual cantons. After the rejec- ­capital’s very own moun- tion by the people of Grisons, tain – the Gurten – for a IOC Executive Member bobsleigh run. So, in 2002, René Fasel therefore pro- they overwhelmingly re- Silva Semadeni, SP National Councillor and figurehead of the opposition to the posed that these enormous jected the prospect of the Olympics structural hurdles be low- Olympic Games right on ered: federal government their doorstep. was unsuitable for the mountain valleys: should firstly set aside three billion Swiss Now there is a sense of dejà-vu. The “My focus is on ensuring a gentler and self- francs for the Olympic Games and then ask Olympic dream came to a premature end at determined development of the canton.” who would like to organise them. Fasel be- the beginning of March 2013 in the canton lieves that many cantons would apply if this of Grisons too. In a referendum 53% op- Sochi acts as a deterrent approach were adopted. But Fasel’s concept posed the hosting of the 2022 Winter Olym- Through her criticism Semadeni indirectly was met with a lack of understanding. The pic Games. Politicians and representatives suggests that the referendum was not just “Neue Zürcher Zeitung” accused him of fail- of the sporting and business worlds had un- decided in Grisons but also in the Russian ing to appreciate the principle of democracy: successfully attempted to highlight the ben- city of Sochi. The approaching 2014 Win- the proposed billion-franc loan could not just efits of the Games for the future of Grisons. ter Games in this sub-tropical seaside re- be conjured up but would also have required And the promoters had promised in vain to sort are generally viewed as grandiose, and the approval of the Swiss people. This means ensure a sustainable Games. People instead the budget has rocketed from 8 to 44 bil- that the two Winter Olympic Games that listened to environmental organisations, lion Swiss francs. Semadeni says: “The Switzerland hosted in 1928 and 1948 are un- which decried the promoters’ pledges as lit- Sochi Games with their dreadful incur- likely to be added to any time soon. tle more than marketing measures and sions into nature and exorbitant costs serve warned of “mountainous debt and environ- as a deterrent to any right-minded person.” Marc lettau is an editor with the “Swiss Review” mental damage”. The experiences of previous venues are also sobering, says Semadeni. They have left in Rebuffed The no campaign personified their wake environmental damage, over- The International Olympic Committee has The 60-year-old grammar school teacher sized infrastructure and mountains of debt its headquarters in Switzerland, in Lau­ and Swiss Social Democratic Party (SP) for the public sector. Even sports fans con- san­ne. However, Switzerland does not re­ politician Silva Semadeni is the personifi- cede that Sochi has influenced the Swiss ceive preferential treatment when it comes cation of the no campaign. She vehemently perception of the Games. “Sochi is the ab- to the awarding of Olympic Games, as there opposed the Olympic promoters. Reflect- solute opposite of the plans organisers had is a long list of failed bids. St. Moritz (for ing on her reasons, she remarks “the enor- in mind for the Olympic Games in Grisons,” the 1936 and 1960 Games), Lausanne (1936,

3 mous scale of the Games today” is incom- says the experienced sports journalist 1944, 1948, 1952, 1960) and Sion (1976, patible with the protection of the Alps. Thomas Renggli after a visit to . Se- 2002, 2006) have made unsuccessful bids She adds: “The Winter Olympic Games madeni says: “If the Games are ever to take for Summer or Winter Games. Alongside are not sustainable. The waste of energy place in the Alps, the International Olym- these are the Olympic plans rejected by the and resources and the impact on the natu- pic Committee will have to amend its rules people, such as in Zurich (referendum of 1969), Berne (1969, 2002), Valais (1963),

ss Review June 2013 / No. ral environment and landscape are huge.” and focus much more heavily on existing

Swi Keystone Photo: This “highly commercialised mega-event” infrastructure.” The Games today are too Vaud (1986) and Grisons (1985, 2013). 13

Turmoil over defence policy Swiss security policy is currently characterised by uncertainty. Parliament and the government are at log- gerheads over military spending levels, there is a furore over Gripen fighter jets, and contentious referenda are coming up. A snapshot from the spring session in Parliament. By Jürg Müller

Colonel Peter Forster, ed- natures against the pur- itor-in-chief of the maga- chase of the F/A-18 fighter zine “Schweizer Soldat” jet within a month – a re- (Swiss Soldier), is going cord in terms of collection into battle – against the period and number of sig- Federal Council. It is toy- natures. The GSoA was ing with “a precious com- then defeated at referen- modity – our national se- dum, but just under 43% re- curity”, writes Forster in jected the acquisition of the the newsletter “Pro Lib- fighter jets. A shock out- ertate”. It is “scandalous” come cannot therefore be how the Federal Council ruled out on either compul- disregards resolutions of sory military service or the Parliament, making “op- Gripen jets. position to the govern- ment” necessary. The background to For- to occur, even in the distant future, and the Army planners face an unenviable task ster’s outburst is the row between the future of aerial warfare belongs to drones The wrangling over the previously men- Federal Council and Parliament over mili- in any case. tioned military spending levels is a further tary spending. Parliament wants to release Observers anticipate that the fighter jets element of uncertainty. In 2010, the Federal more money to the armed forces than does will win the approval of the National Coun- Council set the ceiling at 4.4 billion Swiss the Federal Council. The wrangling over fi- cil in the autumn despite the reservations of francs a year in its army report and de- nances is symptomatic of deeper-lying un- the Security Policy Commission and also manded a reduction in the number of troops certainty over the army’s future role. eventually secure the backing of the Coun- to 80,000. Parliament wanted 100,000 men cil of States. However, the Swiss people will and a five-billion budget. The Federal Crash landing in the Council of States have the final say on the matter, as a referen- Council put its foot down and is only pre- This uncertainty came to the fore during dum or initiative against the resolution is in- pared to raise the ceiling to 4.7 billion on fi- the spring session of the Federal Parliament. evitable. The ambiguous decision of the nance policy grounds. In spring 2013, the The procurement of the new fighter jets was Council of States and the lack of unity among National Council insisted on the 5-billion on the Council of States’ agenda. The row conservatives represent major setbacks in the army budget. The majority found that the over the Swedish Gripen (see also “Swiss referendum campaign, which the fighter jet army’s mandate would be compromised if Review” 5/2012) appeared to have subsided; opponents will seek to exploit to the full. this benchmark figure were not met. But a former critics, including conservatives, consensus on what this mandate should be backed Minister of Defence Ueli Maurer Contentious defence policy proposals is far from being reached. A parliamentary shortly before the parliamentary debate. It is not only the Gripen proposal that will minority therefore argued that the ceiling Only the left-wing parties unanimously op- cause emotions to run high and result in a could not be set without first discussing the posed the purchase of the fighter jets. So, fiercely contested referendum battle. A pop- current threat situation and the army’s fu- the crash landing that the proposal then suf- ular initiative from the Group for a Switzer- ture challenges. fered was completely unexpected: the land without an Army (GSoA) is seeking to The forthcoming army reform will pro- Council of States approved the Gripen jets abolish compulsory military service. The in- vide an opportunity for this. It should enter but rejected the lifting of the spending itiative was rejected by both the Council of the consultation stage around the middle of brake on which this motion depended. This States and the National Council during the this year. The parliamentary debate on the

3 effectively constituted a rejection of the spring session. But fundamental issues con- future development of the army will how- Gripen proposal. This is a clear indication cerning the future of the army will be raised ever not take place until next year. The army that some conservative politicians are also during the referendum campaign. And the planners therefore face an unenviable task. sceptical about the procurement of the jets. GSoA should not be underestimated – They will remain on shaky ground for some The sceptics argue that the current fleet is 35.6 % of the electorate voted in favour of a considerable time to come.

ss Review June 2013 / No. adequate for policing the airways, a major radical call to abolish the army in 1989. In Swi Picture: Chappatte Picture: air battle over Switzerland is highly unlikely 1992, the GSoA collected over 500,000 sig- Jürg Müller is an editor with the “Swiss Review” 14 Politics

Light shed on a dark chapter in Swiss social policy After years of concealing the facts, Switzerland is beginning to come to terms with the history of its contract and care home children. Until well into the 20th century, the authorities remorselessly “placed” tens of thousands of these children with farmers and institutions where they suffered violence and exploitation. Other victims of compulsory custodial measures in Switzerland are also now awaiting justice and compensation. By Susanne Wenger

bottom of my heart for mate and the otherwise “morally compro- the suffering that you mised”, were sent to “salvation institutes” endured,” said the where authoritarian or overstretched edu- Swiss Minister of Jus- cators would beat them rather than show tice. “It is time for us to them human kindness. There was a serious do something that has lack of supervision for such homes as well as always previously been for foster families. denied you.” Apologies Single teenaged mothers and “work-shy” were also made by rep- men were imprisoned for re-education. At resentatives of farmers, the stroke of a pen, custodial care authori- church organisations ties arbitrarily decided who would be locked and social authorities. up for an indefinite period of time. Whether This was public recog- against the “morally corrupted”, the poor or Former contract children with Federal Councillor nition finally for the maladjusted – at one time the Swiss state something that had adopted a hard line to ensure discipline and 11 April 2013 at the Kulturcasino in Berne previously been hushed up – the fact that the order. proved a momentous occasion. On behalf of supposedly good old days were in fact a har- At one time? All this took place not so the Swiss government, Federal Councillor rowing experience for tens of thousands of very long ago. It was not until the 1970s that Simonetta Sommaruga apologised to all the children in Switzerland. values and educational methods began to victims of compulsory care measures in Boys and girls, usually from poverty- change, and with them the social care sys- Switzerland. Around 700 surviving former stricken families, were traded like cattle tem. So-called administrative care behind contract and care home children, those who from the second half of the 19th century on- bars actually continued until 1981. For a were subjected to administrative imprison- wards and hired out to farmers and trades- long time shocking stories were covered up ment and those who were victims of forced people. Most were subjected to hard labour by a veil of silence. That is until surviving sterilisation came to hear Sommaruga’s and experienced a miserable existence. Oth- victims finally summoned up the courage words. “I apologise sincerely and from the ers, including orphans, those born illegiti- to reveal what had happened to them and 3 ss Review June 2013 / No.

Swi Photos: Keystone Paul (1), Senn (3) Photographs of contract children taken by Paul Senn in the 1940s, on display at the “Verdingkinder reden – Enfances volées” exhibition being held at various locations in Switzerland 15

to raise public awareness. One of those was sexual exploitation and appalling humilia- bility but not by means of compensation, Roland M. Begert from Berne. With his tion. “The worst stories of victims who died then their rights will have been violated novel “Lange Jahre fremd” (Many years young, committed suicide, suffered mental again,” remarks the historian Huonker. He apart) published in 2008, the now 76 year illness or who lost all hope can no longer be points to other countries, such as Ireland, old has become one of the leading voices of heard,” Huonker points out. He was one of which have paid out in similar cases. the former contract children in Switzer- the first to call for official amends to be Huonker estimates the cost to Switzerland land. Begert describes how when he was made. at up to 1.5 billion Swiss francs. The Fed- born in 1937 he was taken from his mother, Swiss President Alfons Egli actually made eral Council has, even so, appointed a spe- a divorcee, and put in a children’s home. He a start in 1986. He apologised to the Yeniche cial commissioner to examine all the out- was then sent to a farm as hired labour at people for the government’s involvement in standing questions. the age of 12. After his schooling, his cus- the “children of the highway” programme. The former contract boy Roland M. Be- todian forced him to undertake an appren- Compensation was also paid out. However, gert says that it is not about money for him. ticeship in a foundry. Begert was often told in 2005, the National Council deemed it un- He did not even personally feel the need for that he was “nothing, a worthless vagrant”. necessary to come to terms with the history an apology but he acknowledges that it But the “vagrant” showed everyone who of the contract children. It was not until the might be different for many others. “Those had ostracised him what he could do. He victims could no longer be ignored and the previously in care had their dignity restored saved up to attend evening school, studied magazine “Beobachter” took up their cause at the commemorative event. I really felt law and economics and spent 30 years as a that progress started to be made again. In that,” he remarks. His main objective now is grammar school teacher in the city of 2010, Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer- to ensure that people do not forget. The next Berne. Schlumpf asked for forgiveness from those generation has to know what happened in put in administrative care. They were also Switzerland, he says. The Swiss government issues an apology to be legally vindicated, but at no cost – Susanne Wenger is a freelance journalist living “It was old Christian values, such as hard there was no financial compensation. Lu- in Berne work and perseverance, which held me to- cerne was the first canton to carry out aca- gether and carried me through. I would not demic research into the history of its www.verdingkinderreden.ch have achieved anything without them,” re- children’s homes. The climax of the process www.netzwerk-verdingt.ch calls Begert today. He describes his fate of coming to terms with the past in Switzer- without bitterness, but not all former con- land has so far been the aforementioned tract and care home children possessed the commemorative event that took place in The contract boy dreams strength to cast off the past. Many remain Berne in the middle of April. of damaged and even traumatised. The histo- This dark chapter was also explored rian Thomas Huonker from Zurich, who has Compensation for the victims? cinematically for the first time in 2011 been carrying out research in this field for But that does not mean the issue has been by the director Markus Imboden in the years, has heard harrowing first-hand ac- dealt with. “There is still a long way to go,” film “Der Verdingbub” (The Contract counts of suffering, terrible punishments, says Zurich SP National Councillor Jacque- Boy). Set in the 1950s, the movie line Fehr, who has regularly sub- proved a big hit with Swiss cinema-go- mitted motions in Parliament. ers. In the first few weeks over She wants an inspection of the 200,000 people went to see the dis- records for all those concerned turbing story of the two Emmental but also more funding for his- contract children, Max and Berteli. torical research. Compensation Max plays the accordion to forget his payments as recompense for the miserable existence. He discovers forced labour that the care ­Argentinian tango at school. At the home and contract children had end of the film, the young Max joins a to undertake or as repayment ship that will take him to Argentina. for the social insurance contri- ­Roland M. Begert from Berne, who was butions that were missed out on a real contract boy, knows of many remains a contentious issue. people affected There is also talk of a hardship who turned their fund because many of those back on Switzer- concerned live in difficult cir- land at that time. cumstances. Federal Councillor They were deeply Sommaruga made no commit- ­disillusioned with ment, which caused general dis- a society and state appointment. “If the suffering that had robbed of the victims is only to be rec- them of their Photographs of contract children taken by Paul Senn in the 1940s, on display at the “Verdingkinder reden – Enfances volées” exhibition being held at various locations in Switzerland ognised by acceptance of culpa- childhood. swe 16 Literature

Between two worlds: books and literary figures among the Swiss abroad By Charles Linsmayer

Born in Ticino, she wrote love poetry in Argentina that is still causing a stir 100 years on – Alfonsina Storni

The Chilean Nobel Prize winner Gabriela Mistral called her Argen- bush,” she declared to friends, “but I wrote to stay alive”. In 1925, tinean peer Alfonsina Storni a “bee-wasp who danced a frantic swirl in her remorselessly audacious work “Ocre”, she declared to her un- around her own body before bleeding to death in a seemingly play- faithful lover: “It is not you who betrays me. It is my dreams alone.” ful pirouette”. She was describing not just the difficult life but also She had long been famous when she visited her birthplace in Ti- the solitary death of this extraordinary woman who was born in the cino for the last time in 1930. García Lorca also admired her and de- village of Sala Capriasca in Ticino in 1892 and was regarded as one scribed her forsaken dreams in the lines: “Oh you beast, you perfid- of ’s great poets by the time of her death in 1938. ious soul, have you hidden yourself away and built a nest in your “The frantic swirl which she danced around her own body” refers longings.” These forsaken dreams are there for all to see in the “Po- to the circumstances in which Alfonsina Storni’s poetry was pro- emas de amor”, published in 1926, in which she again evokes the love duced. She arrived in Argentina in affair of 1911 but now completely with- 1896, aged four, with her father who draws into the dream where the lover is went on a downward spiral – from be- only tangible as a “fantasma aeriforme”, ing a brewer he ended up the drunken an “illusion of air”. Death was a major landlord of the “Café Suizo” in San theme not just here but in her entire Juan, which soon went to the wall – and opus. In “Ocre”, she mockingly con- with her mother who provided the ne- trives an epitaph for her grave: “The cessities as a seamstress and teacher. At woman who sleeps beneath the earth/ the age of 13 she was working in a hat and ridicules life with the epitaph on her factory, and at 15 she went on tour with grave,/ wrote, because she was a woman, a theatre company. In 1909, aged 17, on her grave/ another lie – I have had she entered the teacher training col- enough.” lege in Coronda, from which she was But what about the “playful pirou- almost expelled when it became known ette” from which she bled to death, ac- in which establishments she was earn- cording to Gabriela Mistral? “No pu- ing her tuition fees as a dancer! She edo más” (“I can’t take any more”), had begun writing poetry at the age of wrote Alfonsina Storni on a sheet of pa- 12 – much to the annoyance of her per in a hotel room in Mar del Plata be- mother, who clipped her around the fore, suffering from terminal cancer, ear for it – and did not relinquish her she sought her death in the sea on 25 Oc- passion even after a bad experience of Quotation tober 1938. Her final poem “Voy a dor- love. In 1911, the 19-year-old, now a “It is midnight. The city separates me from mer” (“I am going to sleep”) appeared teacher in Rosario, was having a secret you – a crowded black mass, rows of houses, in the “La Nación” newspaper on the affair with a well-known politician and forests of lost yet lingering words, invisible day of her death. The verses sing the fled to the anonymity of clouds of microscopically small bodies. But I praises of death like a lullaby but con- to avoid scandal when she became unfold my soul beyond myself, I reach you, I tain a hint of sarcasm as though they are pregnant. She gave birth to the “love touch you. You are awake, you quiver when rebuffing a final lover: “One more child” in this city, where she also you hear me. My soul is so close to you, how it thing:/ if he calls again,/ tell him his ef- worked as a saleswoman and later as a quivers together with you.” forts are in vain because I’ve gone.” secretary. In 1916, she published her (From “Poemas de amor”, Buenos Aires 1926) first work “La inquietud del rosal” at

her own expense. “May God protect CHARLES LINSMAYER is a literary scholar

3 and journalist in Zurich you from the impatience of the rose BibliographY: Alfonsina Storni’s “Poemas de amor” are available from Limmat-Verlag, Zurich in German and Spanish, translated into German by Reinhard Streit. Available in Italian and Span- ish from Casagrande, , translated into w June 2013 / No. Italian by Augusta López-Bernasocchi. evie iss R hoto: donated hoto: Sw P culture 17

A home full of wanderlust

Karl Fürchtegott Grob from Switzerland set off for Sumatra in 1869, engaged thousands of men to labour on his plantations and became incredibly wealthy within just a few years. The villa that he built on his return to Zurich is a lavish treasure chest of irritatingly un-Swiss opulence. The magnificent home of this contentious Swiss abroad is now set to become the new flagship building of the Swiss Heritage Society. By Marc Lettau

Villa Patumbah and park in Zollikerstrasse, Zurich

It is sometimes hard not to wax lyrical. right leads into a light blue and pink icing encounter the stately gravitas of Gothic The Villa Patumbah in Zurich, for exam- sugar world of Rococo – this is the “lady’s style. Anyone who dines here banquets in ple, leaves even the most sober-minded of room” with its gaiety transformed into a hall of knights. people awestruck because the home built architecture. Angels of varying sizes, bor- Climbing the stairs to the upper floors we between 1883 and 1885 in the Riesbach dis- dered by ornate stucco decorations, approach the zenith of opulence. After Art trict is a truly extraordinary architectural hover over the ceiling. Between the mas- Nouveau, Renaissance, Rococo and Gothic, treasure trove. At first sight, the villa re- ter’s and lady’s rooms is the lounge entirely here we find an exotic blaze of colour, a two- sembles a Mediterranean palazzo with its furnished with dark walnut. Here visitors storey hall extending to the roof with spacious grounds. But upon entering the painted pillars and balustrades. Far-eastern gallery, which leads into the villa, visitors mythical creatures – lucky dragons – adorn are abruptly transported to a far-flung ex- the glass dome, which lets daylight into the otic location. The painted canopy reveals hall. A large, round glass lens is embedded the colour and design schemes of Sumatra. into the floor of the hall; the light entering You then step into the brightly coloured through the lucky dragon glass dome is re- world of Art Nouveau – admittedly just for flected by the lens into the lower-lying “bel a brief moment, as your attention is drawn étage”, undoubtedly to give the splendour to the three heavy doors that provide ac- even greater lustre.

3 cess to the magnificent rooms of the “bel But is this not something of a colonial étage”. mishmash? The ostentatiously exhibited The door on the left leads into the “mas- wealth of a super-rich man? Or is it great ter’s room” and takes you back to architecture? Modern-day architectural the golden age of the Renaissance. The in- critics are inclined towards the latter view-

ss Review June 2013 / No. lays are ornate and the coffered ceiling fol- point because a wide range of distinctive

Swi Photo: donated Stiftung Patumbah lows rigid design forms. The door on the Karl Fürchtegott Grob styles have been skilfully interwoven here 18 CulturE

in a confined space to produce a harmoni- ous whole.

Fürchtegott the fearless This project in Riesbach was undoubtedly a highly ambitious one, and the man behind it was Karl Fürchtegott Grob (1832-1893). This adventure-seeking baker’s son from Zurich’s Niederdorf district was enticed by the great wealth on offer in the Dutch col- ony of Sumatra. In 1869, he sailed to Suma- tra with his business partner Hermann Näher and initially attempted to grow nut- meg. However, he quickly switched to the cultivation of tobacco, where money could be made easily. Five years after their arrival, “Näher and Grob” had already secured 25,000 hectares of land. The work was ar- duous. Tropical rainforests had to be cleared for the plantations. The local farm- ers effectively ousted by colonisation could not be enticed to work on the plantations. “Näher and Grob” therefore concentrated on imported labour. Around 1875, the two Swiss tobacco growers employed some 2,500 workers from China and 1,800 from Java and India. villa architects Alfred Chiodera and Theo- somewhat banal. However, the fact is that Grob was something of a soldier of fortune phil Tschudi to build his grandiose home. He much of the villa›s significance is only now among Western businessmen, according to set the architects few restrictions and pro- coming to light. The Villa Patumbah actu- the historian Andreas Zangger, who wrote his vided them with almost unlimited resources. ally also reveals the “pragmatic” Swiss at- dissertation on the impact of the Swiss in Su- But Grob’s vision extended beyond archi- titude towards the extraordinary. The so- matra and revealed that while Switzerland tecture. With his villa, this cosmopolitan, cial welfare institution Diakoniewerk did not possess any colonies of its own it nev- well-travelled and wealthy man reinforced a Neumünster set up a retirement home in ertheless developed a form of Swiss colonial- commonly held ideal of home in Switzerland the villa in 1930 – no far-eastern colour ism. Grob seized his opportunity at the right – home meant a dwelling rooted in the famil- then, but an unostentatious grey: most of time, says Zangger: “Grob profited from the iar. Having departed as a baker’s son and re- the interior rooms were painted white to tobacco boom in Sumatra more than any turned a wealthy businessman, he also avoid overwhelming the pensioners with other Swiss. By entering the business early, he wanted to build the villa to create a new so- too much colour, frivolity and opulence. very quickly made a fortune, whereas others cietal home to underline his credentials as a Urban development has also had an impact lost a lot of money.” The soldier of fortune member of Zurich’s upper echelons. on the villa. The view of the lake has long returned to Switzerland after ten years. He Amid all this single-mindedness, his dream since disappeared. Patumbah and its left Sumatra in 1880 with caskets filled to the villa with its display of splendour became a grounds were increasingly becoming the brim. The date of his return journey was also home full of wanderlust. PATUMBAH, “much-longed-for land” of property devel- fortuitous as the violent eruption of the written in big letters beneath the roof, means opers, with the villa itself at risk of demo- Krakatoa volcano destroyed large parts of Su- “much-longed-for land” in Malay. Although lition and at the centre of political and le- matra just three years later. Twenty cubic kil- Grob had returned home he had seemingly gal wrangling for many years. ometres (20 billion cubic metres) of ash and not cast off his wanderlust. Such longings rock were hurled into the Earth’s atmosphere, ended eight years after moving into the villa. Swiss heritage centre and tens of thousands of people died in the In 1893, Grob died of a tropical illness picked Over the past three years, the whitewashed shower of lava and ash and in the tsunami up in Sumatra. art in the villa has been uncovered layer by

3 caused by the volcanic eruption. layer. After years of uncertainty, the Pa- Undeniable significance tumbah Foundation has managed to save Back in Zurich A man explores the world, acquires great the estate and to secure funding to maintain Back in Zurich, Grob married the much wealth and builds himself a splendid villa – it. In 2009, it also became clear what pur- younger Anna Dorothea Zundel and looked and everyone marvels at the incredible pose the renovated villa would be put to in

ss Review June 2013 / No. for a good piece of land with a view of Lake building. If this was all there was to the future. The Swiss Heritage Society founded

Swi Photos: donated Schweizer Heimatschutz Zurich. He commissioned the two eminent story of Grob and his villa it would be in 1905 is renting the Villa Patumbah and 19

- Glass dome and paintings on the exterior façade - Gallery on the upper floor - Entrance hall - Paintings in the lady’s room (from left to right)

using it for its heritage centre. Visitors to the installation of solar power units on his- sense,” Artho says. In the case of the Villa the centre, which will open in August, are torical buildings is no longer taboo in many Patumbah, the heritage conservationists to gain an insight into Swiss architectural places. Switzerland’s heritage-protected themselves will oversee the building’s res- culture through an interactive exhibition buildings are also under pressure from the toration. and various educational initiatives. The es- “necessary trend towards more densely con- tate, which represents all of Switzerland’s centrated construction”. Artho is particu- The greatest slave owner of his time? buildings of historical importance to a de- larly concerned about the growing pressure All’s well that ends well? The newly reno- gree, is likely to revive the debate on how to stop renovating houses and instead to re- vated Villa Patumbah calls for more light the nation should deal with its architectural place them with energy-efficient new to be shed on the background to Grob’s heritage. Karin Artho, an art historian and builds. Patumbah therefore also has sym- wealth. Grob’s success is certainly not ex- head of the heritage centre that is set to bolic significance for them. “Authorisation plained by hard graft alone. Was he a cal- open, believes the villa with its chequered had been granted to demolish this villa as lous employer? To put it bluntly, was he one history is a “godsend” for heritage. She re- well,” she says. of the greatest Swiss slave owners of his marks: “A visit to the Villa Patumbah will Is heritage conservation seeking to pre- time? There can be no doubt that Grob, too, be a highly enjoyable experience even for serve Switzerland’s urban backdrop? treated his workers in Sumatra in a heavy- people not especially interested in heritage.” Artho rejects this claim. “A country’s her- handed way. Chinese day labourers were You could not wish for a better introduction, itage must change. Every generation regarded more like machines than human she says. should leave its mark. What is constructed beings. Contemporaries nevertheless also today should reflect modern design,” she described Grob as “generous, dynamic and New concerns says. Heritage conservationists are never- knowledgeable”. It is therefore conceivable The opening of the heritage centre has been theless fighting to preserve buildings pos- that he was only “moderately exploitative”. accompanied by a development that is al- sessing particular qualities and “period It is also said that Grob’s widow Anna Dor- ready causing concern to heritage conser- character”. This certainly does not just in- othea bestowed the Villa Patumbah on Di- vationists. Karin Artho says: “The change clude historical buildings, but often con- akoniewerk Neumünster because she could

3 in energy policy, which everyone is calling temporary ones, too: “We are also endeav- not bear the thought that her home had out for, has to be supported but not at the ouring to protect buildings that most been paid for with the blood of slaves. expense of our cultural heritage.” In broad people have not yet even recognised as be- terms, the heritage conservationists fear ing significant.” Heritage conservationists Marc Lettau is an editor with the “Swiss Review” that the withdrawal from nuclear power have no interest in simply preserving ar- eview June 2013 / No.

ss R will see the heritage preservation threshold chitectural culture. “Saving a building www.heimatschutz.ch

Swi significantly lowered. Artho points out that that is not going to be restored makes no www.stiftung-patumbah.ch 20 Culture

“The number of preconceptions about French-speaking Switzerland is incredible”

Do we really know the history of our country? Have we forgotten what it is that binds the nation together? The historian Georges Andrey, author of the bestseller L’Histoire de la Suisse pour les Nuls (Swiss History for Dummies), has just published La Suisse romande, une histoire à nulle autre pareille (French-speaking Switzerland, a history like no other). With a style of writing that will appeal to the general public, this native of offers numerous new discoveries and clears up a number of preconceptions about the makeup of our country. Interview by Alain Wey

You say in your conclusion that you wanted to We should not say that French-speaking -ed the territories that had belonged to clear up and dispense with received ideas Switzerland is a territory defined by sepa- France – Valais, Neuchâtel and Geneva. about French-speaking Switzerland. So you’re rateness from the German-speaking part: keen to set the record straight... that is not the case. Which is not to say that Yet historians have long decried this period in I collected a huge number of opinions and there aren’t differences, but the main thing history. preconceptions about French-speaking is that there is a single entity – the Swiss Yes, it is condemned in all textbooks on Switzerland. Among other things, my team Confederation or previously the Helvetic Swiss history. They talk only about occu- and I discovered combourgeoisie agree- Republic. It has to be said that the Helvetic piers and the occupied. They forget about ments. These are alliances between towns Republic (1798-1803) was a real high point the advent of modern democracy and all designed to provide mutual defence, to open for Swiss national sentiment. our modern freedoms. Today, we are reap- up markets and, in the event of a conflict praising events more objectively. In terms with a third party, for one town to act as me- Between 1798 and 1815, Switzerland was occu- of domestic institutions, modern Switzer- diator. There was therefore already a pied by France under . What effect land was born not in 1848 but in 1798. The French-speaking Switzerland in the Middle did this occupation have on national cohesion problem was that there was no federalism. Ages thanks to these treaties, which came and what are the common misconceptions Centralism does not suit Switzerland. And into being between the 13th and 16th centu- about this period? who was the first to recognise that? Bona- ries. The citizens of Fribourg created alli- It is what is known as the “black legend”. parte! At the second session of the ances, for example, with the people of Pay- The period from 1798 is considered to be a Consultation he said: “Nature has made erne, then with those of Avenches and Berne. shameful episode in our national history. your country federal.” He therefore demol- The land of William Tell a vassal of France? ished what the French Directorate had set How would you define French-speaking According to this black legend, nothing up in 1798 in order to create a new federal- Switzerland? good happened between 1798 and 1815. It is ism. If 1803 is celebrated in six cantons, it It is the region of Switzerland where even said that the 1803 Act of Mediation is because Bonaparte made the old Swiss of French is the dominant language but not was Napoleon imposing his will without the 13 cantons recognise that the districts the only one. German speakers have never consulting the Swiss people, which is com- that had been allied with or subject to them said that Valais is a German-speaking can- pletely untrue. The Paris Consultation were now also equal Swiss cantons. For ton. So Haut-Valais counts as French- from November 1802 to February 1803 rep- once, this has to be said, loud and clear. speaking. And that means that the people resented three months of hard, difficult ne- count as “French-speaking”, even though gotiation between Bonaparte and the Swiss What is the secret to Switzerland’s unity? they speak German, just like the people of cantons, which consisted of two belligerent What is the magic ingredient that holds the Sense in the . I did not camps – the rebel army and the republican, country together? write this history of French-speaking Swit- government army. Napoleon therefore ne- The desire to live together. We have con- zerland in terms of a supposed conflict be- gotiated a new political state for Switzer- stantly been creating links ever since the tween French-speaking and German- land – a reunited Switzerland – with not 13 medieval combourgeoisie accords. It was the speaking people. That is a false view of cantons as under the Ancien Régime, but Reformation that broke this early solidarity. history because the combourgeoisie agree- 19. The subject and allied territories – When the Bernese arrived in Lausanne in ments focused on Fribourg and Berne, both Grisons, Saint Gallen, Aargau, , 1536, they made the people understand that

3 founded by the House of Zähringen (1157 Ticino and Vaud – were elevated to the sta- they could not keep their alliance with Fri- and 1191). The network of combourgeoisie tus of sovereign cantons in 1803. And in bourg because the city still adhered to the agreements was built around this French- these six new cantons, you have the four na- old faith. The Reformation therefore had a and German-speaking partnership be- tional languages. It was a great honour for dramatic effect. The second upheaval was tween Berne and Fribourg. Later it spread them. This was all confirmed in 1815 with the Sonderbund War – the Swiss civil war of

ss Review June 2013 / No. to Biel, Neuchâtel, then Lausanne, Geneva the Federal Pact. We accepted the entity 1847 – and the third the “Röstigraben” of the

Swi and even , Lucerne and Zurich. constructed by Bonaparte, to which we add First World War. 21

Emeritus historian Georges Andrey, 75, was academic advisor to the Department of Foreign Affairs (until 2000) and Professor of Me- dia History and Modern His- tory at the University of Fribourg (until 2005).

What happened in Switzerland in 1914-1918? No, it is taught badly and isn’t given states out of states. It is one possible sce- The Helvetic consensus between French- enough importance. In school timetables, nario. A of 27 could very well be- speaking and German-speaking lands – be- the number of lessons on Swiss history is come a Europe of 50. So why shouldn’t tween Francophiles (who supported ever decreasing. You realise that the method there be a German-speaking Switzerland, France) and Germanophiles (who sup- of teaching does not give pupils an overall a French-speaking Switzerland and an Ital- ported the German and Austro-Hungar- view of the history of Switzerland in terms ian-speaking Switzerland all existing as ian empires) – was falling apart. There was of a narrative. The chain of events is not microstates? We already have Luxembourg, a very clear division. The German-speak- clear. First there were three cantons, then , and San Marino. The potential ers created the term “Röstigraben”. In four, then eight, then 13, 19, 22 and finally 23. for splits, for example in Belgium, or for French-speaking Switzerland, the term At the very least, you need to explain that. and Catalonia, cannot be ruled out. most often used is “dissent”. Then, in the Teachers are abandoning political history At that point, the idea of a voluntary nation inter-war period, French-language histori- and concentrating on social and economic will risk being lost and we will end up giv- ans and journalists talked of a “moral di- history. When young people leave school, ing priority to language. vide”. This crisis was partly caused by the they do not know much about Swiss history. appointing of one Ulrich Wille as General of the Swiss Army, who was born in Ham- Are the Swiss badly informed about their his- Alain Wey is an editor at «Swiss Review» burg, did not know a word of Swiss Ger- tory? man and was married to a Bismarck. What So it would seem. I know a grammar did they think in Paris and when school teacher in Liestal and he teaches al- they saw the attitude of the Swiss Federal most no Swiss history. He spends more than Assembly? They thought: the Swiss are not half the time on the Second World War, the neutral. Today, we are convinced that the atomic bomb and the concentration camps. Federal Assembly chose Wille, a German- They teach the dramatic events, but who ophile through and through, because it was governs in Switzerland, what our past is, confident that the Central Powers would where we come from, how there came to be be victorious. The period 1914-1918 is cu- French speakers in Switzerland, all that is rious because on the one hand it cemented not taught. If we do not explain history, we the French-speaking Swiss identity and on cannot understand why we are all together.

3 the other it represented a major crisis for That’s dangerous. o. coexistence between French-speaking Switzerland and German-speaking Swit- Dangerous? Books: La Suisse romande, une histoire à nulle au- zerland. Yes, because there is the danger of dilut- tre pareille!, Éditions du Belvédère, Fleurier, 2012. w June 2013 / N

ie L’Histoire de la Suisse pour les Nuls, First Éditions, v ing national identity. You end up saying, Paris, 2007.

ss Re Do you think the history of Switzerland is why shouldn’t Europe consist of an even i Schweizer Geschichte für Dummies, Wiley-VCH w Photo: donated Photo: S taught adequately in schools? greater number of states? You could make ­Verlag, Weinheim, 2009. 22 sport

A new age for surfers Over the last 10 years, the sport of kitesurfing has become a permanent feature on Swiss lakes, but it remains restricted to very limited areas. The Federal Assembly has now decided to lift its ban at national level. We get the lowdown from kitesurfing teacher Marc Maurer and talk to Fribourg native Manuela Jungo who finished 5th in the World Cup in 2012. By Alain Wey

Carried by the wind, they glide and skip Zurich. “The really great thing about this over our lakes and over distant seas. For sport is that you can also do it in the snow in more than a decade, kitesurfers have been winter with a snowboard or skis (snowki- winning over fans in Switzerland with their ting),” says Maurer. Or on the land with a unique blend of surfing and power kite. skateboard fitted with extra-big wheels. The enthusiasm for this sport is so great What’s more, you don’t need a lot of equip- that it has become political, with tough re- ment, like you do for windsurfing, says Mau- strictions in place on some Swiss lakes. In rer. A native of Zurich, he runs intensive other areas the sport is banned completely week-long kitesurfing courses for his stu- due to the danger it represents to other lake dents in Egypt, Morocco and Brazil, where users. The ban is opposed by a committee the limitations imposed by the natural fea- of enthusiasts who took their case all the tures of Swiss lakes (trees, cliffs and winds way to Berne. They argue that the disci- that can change direction very quickly) are pline has developed enormously over the no longer an issue. “Understanding the last 10 years, with rigorous safety regula- winds, knowing the safety rules and being tions in place and training offered by spe- able to assess the weather conditions are es- cialist schools. Last December, the Federal sential when you’re learning,” says Maurer. Assembly lifted its ban on kitesurfing on In Switzerland, the most highly prized spots Swiss lakes. Now the cantons have to de- are on lakes Constance, Neuchâtel, Biel and fine zones. Mario Kaufmann, vice-presi- (Grisons). “On Lake Geneva, it dent of the Swiss Kitesurfing Association gets difficult because there can be as many (Kitegenossen or Kitesurfklub Schweiz), as 20 different wind directions,” he says. estimates that it will take until 2014 for the The Kitegenossen Association also offers a cantons to endorse the national decision map of spots and places where kitesurfing is and to choose the parts of the lakes where permitted. kitesurfing will be allowed. For now, kite- remains the Mecca for boarders have a few areas in Switzerland kitesurfing in Switzerland, with the Kite- where they are allowed to practise their sailing School and the Swiss Kitesailing sport, but they frequently cross the borders Association. The Swiss “King of the Lake” to neighbouring countries in order to give championships have taken place in Octo- free rein to their passion without getting ber in Portalban on the southern shores of caught up in the “traffic jams” that are all Lake Neuchâtel since 2003, and the organ- too often seen in Switzerland. isers have been working closely with the experts in Silvaplana since 2008. Kitesurf- Lac Silvaplana is the Mecca ing offers several competitive categories, “Kitesurfing is not a crime”: the famous cry the main ones being freestyle (with jumps) of skateboarders in the 1980s has now been and speed racing. The International Sail- light heartedly reappropriated by kiteboar- ing Federation had announced that kite- ders. The sport was invented in France in surfing would replace windsurfing at the 1996 and quickly went on to conquer Europe 2016 Olympic Games, but this announce- and Switzerland. Inflatable tubes have im- ment was subsequently withdrawn. How-

3 proved the stability of the kites and made it ever, the question is likely to arise again in possible to start out directly in the water. 2020. With more than 3,000 kitesurfers, The board itself can look like the traditional Switzerland could certainly hope to win a iconic surfboard, but also like a wakeboard. few medals! Marc “Fish” Maurer, 48, fell under the kite-

ss Review June 2013 / No. surfing spell in 1998 in Tarifa, Spain and in

Swi donated Photos: Venezuela. He runs the Kiteswiss School in www.kitegenossen.ch Manuela Jungo in action 23

lic, where I worked as a marketing assistant tricks, from 23 different categories. Out of “You can achieve in the mornings and learned to kitesurf in these categories, you choose five that will anything if you really the afternoons. earn you points. The competition is also strategic as you choose what risks to take want it!” Where do you go kitesurfing in Switzerland? depending on On . From La Neuveville and the strength of your opponent. There Interview with Manuela Jungo Ipsach. When I worked in Biel, I was some- are also all the meteorological and tech­ times able to take a couple of hours’ lunch nical aspects to take into account. For ex- break to go and kitesurf. Then, in 2010, I ample, I have to decide which kite I Manuela Jungo, 29, has been competing in resigned from my job so that I could go and will use: there are different sizes depend- the kitesurfing world cup (www.prokite- kitesurf at a suitable location every day. I ing on the strength of the wind (11 m2, 9 tour.com) since 2012, where she finished in trained hard and I made quite a bit of pro- m2, etc.) fifth place in the freestyle discipline. A na- gress. Then I found sponsors who provided tive of Düdingen, in the canton of Fri- the financial backing for my passion. I had When you practise an extreme sport, there are bourg, Manuela Jungo is the only Swiss my first go at the World Cup in 2012, an bound to be falls... woman in the world-class category and is event where I could measure myself against Yes, it›s inevitable. When I›m trying out able to make a living from her sport the best in the field. I am the first Swiss a new trick, I might fall anything up to 500 through sponsorship deals. “My career woman to take part in the whole World times before I succeed. Sometimes when path is different from that of many other Tour. I’m training, I end up falling all the time. I elite athletes,” she says. “I first studied eco- always want to get better, but you can only nomics at university and then worked as a How did 2012 go for you? do that if you fall so you can then learn manager for a watch-making company in I made a start with the competition in from your mistakes. Sometimes it is diffi- Biel. Then I took a big break from work so Dakhla in Morocco, going in in fifth place. cult, especially as I don’t have a coach. But that I could go kitesurfing every day, and I even won my head-to-head against the the pleasure I get from this sport always I’m still on that break!” then world champion. At the Mondial du gives me fresh motivation. It’s the joy of be- Vent in France, I was awarded best new- ing in the water, the sense of freedom and How did you get started? comer. And in Haikou, in China, I reached the ambition constantly to learn and im- I discovered kitesurfing in 2006 when I fourth place. The standard of the four best prove! went to learn English in Hawaii as part of world-class competitors is very high but my studies. That was where I saw a kite- they have all been competing in the World What is the atmosphere like in the kitesurfing surfer for the first time. I was completely Tour for more than four years. For me, it is world? enthralled. Then, during my long summer an amazing success to be one of the top five During competitions we are like a fam- vacation I went to the Dominican Repub- in the world. Last March, I finished fifth ily because there are not that many of us in again in Dakhla. My goal for this sport. There are around 15 women and 2013 is to defend my place as 30 men. We are all friends. Lots come from fifth in the world. Europe, and there are others from New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, etc. It is very in- So from March to December, teresting comparing our different experi- you are travelling all over the ences and cultures. world. Where are the next competition destinations after What is your philosophy? Morocco and France? You can achieve anything if you really and Germany, Spain, want it. When I gave up work so I could Egypt, China, New Caledo- practise kitesurfing intensively, lots of peo- nia and Australia. ple had doubts about my decision. You al- ways have to try new things and not rest on How are competitions your laurels. That’s how you keep moving organised? upwards. You have to live your dreams – They take place through not just talk about them but make them knock-out rounds. Two kite- happen! surfers go head-to-head for seven minutes. You can do 12 Alain Wey is an editor at “Swiss Review”

Manuela Jungo in action 24 Organisation of the swiss abroad

pected to be published by mid-2013. This bit and, of course, meet other Swiss living OSA advice government report should draw conclu- abroad. Why are some Swiss nationals living sions from past experiences and suggest abroad able to vote electronically while some avenues that can be explored in the What did you do at the camp? others are not? future. We met up in Berne, where we started off from, and we hiked a stretch every day. We Many Swiss nationals living abroad are ea- For more information: also travelled by rail, bus and boat. We vis- gerly awaiting the chance to vote electronic Federal Chancellery website: www.bk.admin.ch ited places like Charmey, Gruyères, Châ- ally. In practice they are often unable to ex- > Thèmes> Droits politiques > Vote électronique teau d’Oex, Erlenbach, Interlaken and ercise their right to vote due to lengthy de- www.wassenaar.org Thun. lays in the postal system making it impossi- ble either to receive their voting papers in Sarah Mastantuoni, Head of the Legal What was a typical day like? Department time or to send them back before the dead- The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad’s Legal Depart- We started walking after breakfast, and line. Electronic voting would offer a solu- ment provides general legal information on Swiss law about halfway to our destination we would tion to this problem, which is why the Or- and specifically in areas that concern the Swiss stop for lunch. We didn’t walk as one big abroad. It does not provide information on foreign ganisation of the Swiss Abroad launched a law and does not intervene in disputes between pri- group but in smaller groups, each with its petition in 2012 asking for the introduction vate parties. own leader. After we arrived at our destina- of electronic voting for all citizens to be es- tion we usually had time to chat or play sport tablished by the 2015 federal elections. This before dinner. On occasion, we were able to petition was handed over to Federal Coun- I was 15, and it was go to a café or disco in the evening. But we cillor Didier Burkhalter at the last Congress my first time away always had to be in bed early because we of the Swiss Abroad. needed to recover after a long day’s hiking Authority for organising elections lies from home and sightseeing. with the cantons. That means that it is each In 1978, José-Walter Sutter from Spain individual canton that is responsible for de- attended a walking camp organised by What are some of your favourite memories? ciding how people can vote. Some cantons the Foundation for Young Swiss The people at the camp were really nice, have launched electronic-voting pilot pro- Abroad (FYSA). He grew up in Spain. especially the girls. I also loved the scenery jects. The cantons that have gone down this He talked to Simone Riner about his in the Alps, swimming in cold lakes and riv- road are Aargau, Berne, -City, Fri- experiences and his relationship with ers, and, of course, playing football in the bourg, Geneva, Grisons, Lucerne, Neuchâ- Switzerland. evenings in spite of the long mountain tel, St Gallen, Schaffhausen, Solothurn and walks. Thurgau. Having been one of the first can- How did you come to take part in the camp in tons to take action in this respect, Zurich Switzerland? Were you ever homesick, being alone and so has now temporarily suspended the option In my family we always had a strong far from home? of electronic voting for its citizens until an awareness of our roots. That trip to Swit- I was 15, and I had travelled to Switzer- internet voting system can be introduced zerland was an important experience and land on my own. It was my first time away for the whole population. a good opportunity to get to know my from home without my parents and broth- Many Swiss nationals living abroad who homeland better, practise the language a ers. I felt a little homesick now and again, exercise their right to vote in the above- but I also had the same feeling once the mentioned cantons are therefore able to camp was over because I left a lot of friends have their say via the internet provided they behind. live in one of the countries of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Northern Are you still in touch with any of the people Cyprus, , Monaco, San Marino you met at the camp? or countries that are signatories to the Was- I corresponded with one of the leaders, senaar Arrangement. That covers nearly Elisabeth König, for a while, but we lost 90% of Swiss nationals living abroad. This touch quite some time ago. explains why some people can vote electron- ically while others cannot. And what is your relationship with Switzer- More and more cantons are working on the land today?

3 possibility of offering internet voting to Swiss I’m still in touch with a few cousins and o. citizens living abroad and it is therefore to be José-Walter Sutter comes from Alt St. Johann their families, but we see each other very hoped that increasing numbers of Swiss na- in the canton of St. Gallen. He lives in rarely. We’re planning to meet up next sum- in southeastern Spain, where his parents also tionals living abroad will be able to take ad- live. Sutter works in IT training and is very mer in the Sierra Nevada in Grenada. I fol- vantage of this additional voting option soon. keen on sports, being an athletics and basket- low Swiss news in “Swiss Review” and on- eview June 2013 / N ball coach. His father, Carlos Sutter (77), was a

ss R With regard to federal government, a professional footballer with Real in line, on swissinfo, for example. That’s how 1956/57. Swi donated Photo: third report on electronic voting is ex- I recognised myself in an old photo of the 25

walking camp that appeared in “Swiss Re­ Youth seminar New media view”! One particular focus of the seminar will be at the Congress of the importance of communication in a glo­ balised world. Thanks to new technologies the Swiss Abroad we can now access information at any time Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad (FYSA) and from any location. If something major Alpenstrasse 26 This year’s Congress of the Swiss Abroad happens somewhere in the world, news of it 3006 Berne will be devoted to the question of Switzer­ is available instantly everywhere. We can SWITZERLAND land’s role in a globalised world. Tradi­ take part in discussion and debate in real Tel +41 31 356 61 16, Fax +41 31 356 61 01; tionally, the congress is preceded time. So, new media will be a very important www.sjas.ch by a seminar for young people, and topic in the young people’s seminar. Information about the winter camps will be OSA hopes to welcome as many young Of course, the time in Davos – a famous published in the next “Swiss Review”. You can Swiss abroad as possible to Davos for what holiday resort and conference venue – register for the winter camps online at www. promises to be an ex­ sjas.ch from mid-September 2013. citing and entertain­ ing week. Dependent on donations Young people to­ For many years, the Foundation for Young day are born into a Swiss Abroad (FYSA) has been organising globalised world. camps to give children with Swiss roots They take it for all over the world the opportunity to dis- granted that they en­ cover their homeland. The organisation is counter the same particularly keen to give children from consumer brands all lower-income families a chance to visit over the globe. In Switzerland. To continue this tradition, it India, people listen depends on donations. to the same songs Why not become a donor for the ZEWO- on their smart­ certified Foundation for Young Swiss phones as in Aus­ Abroad? tralia. People in Scandinavia wear the should also be fun, full of activity and en­ same summer fashions as in North Amer­ tertainment. Hiking, a dip in Lake Davos, Postal account ica, and in southern Europe the films at ball sports and games are all part of the Swiss Post the cinema are the same as in South Amer­ programme. PostFinance ica. Finally, the group will take part in the 3030 Berne Young people have to learn to forge their Congress of the Swiss Abroad and present Switzerland future lives in this fast-moving, networked the results of their project week to the audi­ Name: Stiftung für junge Auslandschweizer and high-tech world. In today’s globalised ence. (SJAS), economy, they are consumers, competitors Account no. 30-372794-3 and contributors. At OSA, we believe that You can sign up for the seminar and all the IBAN: CH14 0900 0000 3037 2794 3 young people have a great deal to contrib­ other offers for young people online: SWIFT code: POFICHBEXXX ute on this year’s topic. www.aso.ch

Our heritage is unique and you can play a part in protecting it. Conserving our precious buildings for future generations means protecting them, breathing life into them and repair. Your will, through a bequest or legacy, adds another stone to the work in progress. You can find out about this from your notary or order the information from Schweizer Heimatschutz: www.heimatschutz.ch. You can also call us on 044 254 57 00 where our managing director,

3 Adrian Schmid, will be happy to answer your questions. Schweizer Heimatschutz, PO Box 1122, 8032 [email protected], 044 254 57 00, www.heimatschutz.ch

ss Review June 2013 / No. Get closer to heritage. Swi ASO Photo: 26 Organisation of the swiss abroad

Switzerland vs. challenges that lie ahead. Switzerland Däniken, former Secretary of State and should make better use of the interna- Political Director of the Federal Depart- globalisation? tional mobility of its citizens. ment of Foreign Affairs. He will look back This congress aims to demonstrate the over past years to point out the develop- importance of human networks in the ments that have led to the current situa- The issue of globalisation and its con- context of globalisation. This means ex- tion with regard to globalisation. He will sequences for Switzerland will be the plaining that individual action is of vital also explain the major challenges facing central topic of the 91st Congress of the significance alongside collective action, Switzerland over the coming years. Swiss Abroad in Davos. whether on the part of the State or busi- Workshops led by experts and federal nesses or in terms of cooperation within parliamentarians will provide an oppor- In an increasingly globalised world, Swit- international organisations. Individual tunity for delegates to express their views zerland must strengthen its position both networks themselves are also becoming and to debate the issue of globalisation in order to remain competitive economic- more international and are contributing from the points of view of migration, the ally and in order to be able to continue to to this move towards globalisation. economy and whether or not to partici- play a role on the international political pate in international institutions. scene. Banking secrecy cannot survive for Federal Councillor Eveline Widmer- much longer and our country is not a Schlumpf, head of the Federal Depart- This will be also be an occasion to social- member of the European Union. What ment of Finance, will also be taking part ise and enjoy cultural events. strategy should be adopted in such a in the congress. She will focus on the im- ­situation? What assets does Switzerland pact of the globalised economy and will have and how can they be used to best ad- highlight the significance of the Swiss More information and registration documents vantage? abroad for our national economy. Some can be found on our website: The Swiss abroad are perhaps our coun- 10% of our national population lives http://aso.ch/en/offers/congress-of-the-swiss- try’s trump card in understanding the abroad. Also present will be Franz von abroad/2013

91st Congress of the Swiss Abroad: 16 to 18 August 2013, Davos Congress Centre

Switzerland vs. globalisation will be the main topic of debate at the 91st Congress of the Swiss Abroad in Davos. Among the speakers will be Federal Councillor Eve- line Widmer-Schlumpf.

More on this topic and the latest information on the 2013 Congress can be found in German at: www.aso.ch/de/angebote/auslandschweizer-kongress. Put the Congress dates in your diary today. We look forward to seeing you!

Please send me the registration documents for the 91st Congress of the Swiss Abroad­ (16 to 18 August 2013 in Davos).

My address is:

Surname: first name: Address: Country: postcode/city: Email: 3 Please write clearly in block capitals The registration documents are available in two languages: q German q French (Please check the box of the language required.) iew June 2013 / No. v Send the completed form to: Organisation of the Swiss Abroad Communications & Marketing, Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, e SWITZERLAND, Fax: +41 (0)31 356 61 01 or email us at [email protected] wiss R S Notes from parliament 27

The HB-SIA on a flight above Zermatt

“An idea born in Feat of technical ingenuity Federal government actively supports With its enormous wingspan, which at the project Switzerland” 63.40 metres equates to that of an Airbus In line with the 2012-2015 strategic objectives A340, and its relatively light weight, equiv- for national communication, the Federal The solar powered aircraft designed by alent to that of a mid-size car, the solar air- Council aims to use the project’s interna- aviation pioneers Bertrand Piccard and craft possesses unparalleled design and aer- tional media coverage to highlight Switzer- André Borschberg is the best advertise- odynamic properties. The aircraft, which land’s prowess in the fields of innovation, sci- ment for Switzerland as a global leader in is fitted with 11,628 photovoltaic cells, is ence and education. Presence Switzerland innovation. This solar aircraft, registra- designed for day and night flights at an av- has therefore concluded a contract with So- tion code HB-SIA, therefore officially rep- erage speed of 70 kmph. The objective be- lar Impulse on behalf of the Federal Coun- resents a modern Switzerland that has hind the Solar Impulse project is to make a cil. The federal government has supported more to offer than cheese and chocolate. contribution to research and innovation in Solar Impulse technically, administratively, The pilots wear the Swiss crest on their the field of renewable energies and to high- logistically and financially since the launch jackets and systematically highlight the light how clean technologies can reduce the of the project. In collaboration with the Fed- project’s Swiss origins when making pub- consumption of natural resources and de- eral Department of Defence, Civil Protec- lic appearances. pendence on fossil fuels. tion and Sport, this support also includes the Following its maiden flight at the end of use of hangars at the military air bases in The latest stage of the project – Solar Im- 2009, the first 26-hour night-time Dübendorf and Payerne. Solar Impulse is pulse’s “Across America Mission” stretched flight took place in July 2010. The constructing the second prototype of the so- from San Francisco (California) via Phoe- first intercontinental flight was made lar aircraft in Dübendorf, and test flights will nix (Arizona), Dallas (Texas) and other stops between Europe and Africa two years later, be carried out in Payerne. along the way to Washington D.C. and New in June 2012, when Solar Impulse flew to Images of the “Across America Mission” and

3 York City. The slogan used was, “An idea the Moroccan capital of Rabat with a full information on the pilots and Solar Im- born in Switzerland”. Presence Switzerland stopover in Madrid. The vision of flying pulse can be found at http://solarimpulse.com took advantage of the opportunity to pro- over long distances without fossil fuel had mote its interests and conducted an infor- thus become a reality. The long-term ob- Press release on the collaboration between fed- mpulse/Jean Revillard mation campaign during the “Across Amer- jective is to fly around the world in 2015 eral government and Solar Impulse

ss Review June 2013 / No. ica Mission” together with the Swiss with the second prototype aircraft HB- http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/recent/ Swi Photo: Solar I representations in the USA. SIB. media/single.html?id=47752 28 Notes from parliament

A new directorate ding. Negotiations are also being conduc- ABC of European policy ted regarding collaboration with the EU The “ABC of European policy” is now at the FDFA on chemical safety. Swiss involvement in available as part of the FDFA’s ABC series. various EU programmes will also have to With a keyword-based glossary, the publi- The Directorate for European Affairs be renewed shortly in the areas of educa- (DEA) was established at the Federal De- tion and research and the MEDIA film partment of Foreign Affairs at the begin- promotion programme. ning of 2013. However, the new directorate A further important aspect of the rela- does not mean that the FDFA will be un- tions between Switzerland and the EU are dertaking any additional new tasks – the the so-called institutional issues. These in- DEA is actually the new name for the for- clude the adoption of EU law for existing mer Integration Office, the federal gov- bilateral market access agreements as well ernment’s centre of expertise for European as their monitoring and the resolution of policy issues. Only the name and its organ- any potential disputes between the EU and isational integration have changed; the Switzerland. Both sides are seeking a DEA is no longer attached to two depart- solution to these issues in order to renew ments (FDFA/FDEA) as the Integration the bilateral approach. Initial exploratory cation explains the most important terms Office was, but is instead completely inte- talks have been held, and a joint report is in European policy and provides an over- grated into the FDFA. set to follow. On the basis of this report, view of political and economic relations The cantons, as well as offices and or- the Federal Council and the EU will de- between Switzerland and the EU. ganisational units throughout the entire cide, independently of one another, on the It can be ordered free of charge in Ger- federal administration, maintain contact initiation of negotiations on this matter. man, French, Italian and English at www. with EU bodies and institutions based on bundespublikationen.admin.ch or from their field of expertise. These are key con- From Integration Office to DEA BBL, Verkauf Bundespublikationen, CH- tact partners in foreign and economic pol- The DEA was founded in 1961 as the FDFA/ 3003 Berne. icy for Switzerland as a non-member state FDEA Integration Office to coordinate re- All publications in the ABC series can because neighbouring states have fully or lations with the then European Economic be found at www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/ partially transferred powers to the EU or Community (EEC). A tightly-knit set of home/doc/publi.html because pan-European affairs are coordi- ­treaties has been developed with the EU nated by the EU. The DEA’s main respon- over the years. Milestones include the 1972 sibilities include bringing these strands to- free trade agreement between Switzerland gether, coordinating relations and and the EU’s pre­decessor organisation, the Publications conducting negotiations in conjunction EEC, and bilateral agreements I and II of THE SWISS CONFEDERATION with other federal offices. It ensures clar- 1999 and 2004. A BRIEF GUIDE 2013 ity and coherence in Swiss policy on Eu- Even though economic and monetary rope. It also provides the public with infor- union remains the key focus of EU activi- mation on Switzerland’s European policy ties, these also today include matters such and the European integration process. as the free movement of persons, Schen- gen/, education and research, air Consolidation and development and land transport, and peace-building ef- One of the DEA’s main tasks is the syste- forts. The Integration Office’s remit has matic and efficient implementation and ap- therefore expanded. As a result, the Fed- plication of existing bilateral agreements. eral Council adopted a resolution during 124721_e_Cover.indd 1 14.02.13 15:09 The Directorate also conducts negotia- the 2011 administrative reform to integrate Who sits in Parliament? How is legislation tions on new bilateral agreements with the it entirely into the FDFA as the DEA. drawn up? What does the Federal Council EU together with the offices responsible. Information on Swiss policy on the European do? Where do federal government’s 38,000 Negotiations are currently taking place in Union: www.europa.admin.ch/index. employees work? What are the Federal Su- the fields of electricity and emissions tra- html?lang=en preme Court’s responsibilities? Answers to

3 Perfect precautions benefits – with Soliswiss Life and health insurance, wealth management, protection against political risk eview June 2013 / No.

Registration for the General Assembly as from 15.07.13 at www.soliswiss.ch, T +41 31 380 70 30 wiss R S donated Photo: 29

Online registration for Swiss citizens travelling abroad Travel advice

Phone from Switzerland: 0800 24-7-365 www.eda.admin.ch/reisehinweise www.fdfa.admin.ch/itineris Phone from abroad: +41 800 24-7-365 Helpline DFAE: +41 (0)800 24-7-365 E-Mail: [email protected] www.twitter.com/travel_edadfae Skype: helpline-eda

these and other questions can be found in representation, etc.). The latest “Swiss tronically (via email or as an app for iPad “The Swiss Confederation –A Brief Guide”, Review” and previous issues can be read and Android Tablet PCs) or as a printed a brochure published by the Federal Chan- and/or printed out at any time at edition free of charge to all households of cellery. It is aimed at everyone interested in www.revue.ch. “Swiss Review” (and Swiss citizens abroad who are registered the Swiss system of government. “Gazzetta Svizzera” in Italy) is sent elec- with an embassy or consulate general. “The Swiss Confederation – A Brief Guide 2013” can be ordered free of charge in German, French, Italian, Romansh and English at www.bundespublikationen.ad- Elections and referenda min.ch or from BBL, Verkauf Bundespubli- The proposals for the federal referendum on 22 September 2013 had not been announced kationen, 3003 Berne, Switzerland. by the time of going to press. All information on the proposals (voting pamphlet, committees, party information, e-voting, etc.) can be found at www.ch.ch/abstimmungen. The final referendum date in 2013 is 24 November.

Important notices: Popular initiatives The following federal popular initiatives were launched in the first few months of 2013 Passports from 2003 expire this year (deadlines for the collection of signatures in brackets): Remember to renew your Swiss passport n Lebensschutz stopft Milliardenloch (Protection of life to plug the billion-franc hole) early at the embassy or consulate general (26.08.2014) where you are registered. Once you have n Für eine faire Verkehrsfinanzierung (For fair financing of transport) (05.09.2014) submitted your passport application, you n AHVplus: für eine starke AHV (AHVplus: for a strong old-age and survivors’ insurance can book an appointment to record your system) (12.09.2014) biometric data at a suitably equipped rep- n Mehr Ausbildungsplätze in der Humanmedizin – Stopp dem drohenden Ärztemangel! (More resentation abroad or at a passport office training places in human medicine – stop the impending shortage of doctors!) (09.10.2014) in Switzerland. PLEASE NOTE: Embassies, consulates The list of pending popular initiatives can be found at: www.bk.admin.ch under general and the passport offices in Swit- Aktuell > Wahlen und Abstimmungen > Hängige Volksinitiativen. zerland have already recorded a sharp rise in passport applications – up to 40% more applications than usual in some cases – FDFA OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: JEAN-FRANÇOIS LICHTENSTERN, RELATIONS WITH THE SWISS ABROAD with longer waiting times. Your Swiss BUNDESGASSE 32, 3003 BERNE, Swizterland, TEL: +41 800 24-7-365 representation will be happy to inform www.eda.admin.ch / email: [email protected] you about the procedure and the esti- mated amount of time that you should al- low for the issuing of a new passport.

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3 Address Inform your embassy or consulate general of your email address and mobile phone number or of any changes to them. Register at www.swissabroad.ch to ensure eview June 2013 / No. you do not miss any communications wiss R

S (“Swiss Review”, newsletters from your 30 ECHO

Little gems

Telling it like it is: the phenomenon of Dölf Ogi He may have left the national government more than 12 years ago, but Adolf Ogi remains as popular and omnipresent as ever. And if you read “So wa(h)r es”, the biography of the former Fed- eral Councillor published to co- incide with his 70th birthday, you will easily understand why. Ogi’s lasting appeal has nothing to do Chinese warriors in Berne with PR and everything to do Something unusual is going on at the Historical of Qin (259–210 BC), first discovered in 1974. Vis- with the authenticity of this ex- Museum of Berne. The turreted façade of the tra- itors can explore the exhibition with the help of ceptional politician. The story is ditional building on Helvetiaplatz is concealed by explanatory texts, films, audio guides and an ex- told in a fascinating way, pep- a specially erected entrance pavilion. No effort tensive catalogue, which bring to life a crucial pe- pered with anecdotes and scenes has been spared to create a fitting reception for riod in Chinese history. Emperor Qin is a some- from his life, as well as a few pre- the “eighth wonder of the world” in the Swiss cap- what controversial figure. The first emperor of a viously unknown facts. The au- ital. At the special exhibition entitled “Qin – The unified China, he had no qualms about imposing thors succeed in showing how Ogi Eternal Emperor and his Terracotta Warriors”, his policies, started the building of the Great “works”. How he overcame tough visitors can see ten of the 8,000 or so original life- Wall, and standardised coins, weights and meas- situations with unconventional size figures and other objects from China. The ures as well as the Chinese script. JM methods, for example, not just in Terracotta Army is one of the world’s most spec- the Federal Council but also in his The exhibition can be seen at the Historical Museum of tacular archaeological discoveries. The warriors Berne until 17 November. Opening times: Tue-Sun 9am- encounters with major interna- come from a huge burial site dating from the time 6pm. www.qin.ch tional figures. A whole chapter is dedicated to the close relation- ship between Dölf Ogi and Ruth Dreifuss, also a member of the Federal Council but with the So- cial Democratic Party rather than Ogi’s Swiss People’s Party. The selection of photos, in the style of the “Schweizer Illustri- erte” magazine, will please those who like pictures. They are all well-known faces, from Bill Clin- ton to Vreni Schneider, and all are with Dölf Ogi. JM Georges Wüthrich, André Häfliger: “Dölf Ogi. So wa(h)r es” (in German). Ringier AG (“Schweizer Illustrierte”) From conservative to cool and Weltbild Verlag; 2012; 176 pages; Everyone knows braces are useful and practical. eye-catching. The braces are secured to the trou- CHF 39.90 (incl. DVD) In French: “Dölf Ogi, c’est formida- But did you know they can also be cool, casual sers with clips or fine nappa leather tabs and, of ble!”, Editions Attinger, Hauterive; and even elegant? They can be worn by anyone course, Swiss materials are used wherever possi- 2013; 180 pages; CHF 42 from toddlers to grandfathers, and they have be- ble. All models can be ordered online, and de come a popular accessory among trendsetters. Weerdt und Elmiger also accept custom orders.

3 Just under four years ago, clothing designer Anna Standard “Tregers” are priced at between CHF de Weerdt and former electrician Markus El- 59 for children’s models and CHF 89 for exclu- miger, both from Lucerne, turned their love of sive adult models. BE braces into a business. They called their label w June 2013 / No. e vi “Treger”. All their braces are hand-crafted. They www.treger.ch e

ss R are available in a range of widths, in elastic or fab-

Swi donated Photo: ric, and with different patterns, from discreet to 31

Bulletins Quotes

National Council opposes clo- proved in Switzerland last year “Such arrogance! Once an idiot, always an idiot.” sure of representations abroad than in the previous year. Con- Philippe Müller, President of the Swiss FDP, about a manager Plans by the Federal Department sent was granted to 71% more he does not wish to name of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) to planning applications in the last close the Swiss embassy in Guate- three months of 2012 than in the “Conceive complex ideas, but express them simply, not the other way round.” Franz Josef Strauss (1915–1988), German CSU politician mala and the consulate general in same quarter of 2011. The con- Chicago were met with opposition struction of 22,260 homes in total “A few black sheep are usually enough to tarnish the image of all those in Parliament. At the end of April, was approved between October who conduct themselves properly.” the National Council, by a large and December. According to the Federal Councillor Johann Schneider-Ammann majority, called upon the Federal Federal Statistical Office, 75,600 on World Consumer Rights Day Council to abandon plans to close homes were under construction the two representations. The vote at the end of December. “The destiny of the nation depends on its nutrition.” was triggered by proposals pre- Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin sented by the Council’s Foreign Less wine being drunk Affairs Committee and National 276 million litres of wine were “The issue of international law versus the rights of the people Councillor Roland Büchel (SVP). consumed in Switzerland in will be on the agenda.” He is also a member of the Coun- 2012. That is 6.6 million litres Toni Brunner, SVP President, on his party’s plans for the coming months cil of the Swiss Abroad. or 2.2% less than in 2011. Con- sumption of domestic wine fell Fewer asylum applications by as much as 3.5%. The market “Security is not achieved by erecting fences but rather by opening doors.” Urho Kaleva Kekkonen (1900–1986), Finish politician Asylum applications fell by 19.6 % share of Swiss wine stands at and President of State 1956–1982 year-on-year to 5,759 in the first 36.3%, with that of white wine three months of 2013. Compared twice as high as that of red. “Common sense can make up for almost any level of education, but no with the final quarter of 2012, the Wine production in 2012 was level of education can make up for common sense.” reduction amounted to 9.6 %. over 10% below output in 2011 Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), German philosopher These figures were provided by due to less than ideal weather the Federal Statistical Office. conditions. The Federal Office for Migration has indicated that the fall in appli- Research into causes of death cations is due to various measures 62,649 people died in Switzer- introduced by federal government land in 2010, according to the to avoid clearly unfounded and Federal Statistical Office. Sev- multiple applications. 3,508 peo- eral illnesses were the cause of ple whose asylum applications death in over 80% of cases. The were rejected left Switzerland in most common cause of death in the first quarter of 2013. people aged over 80 is cardiovas- cular disease, whereas in those Energy efficiency initiative below the age of 80 it is cancer. The signatures for the so-called energy efficiency initiative were Population continues to grow submitted in mid-May. This pop- 8,036,900 people were living in ular initiative demands that power Switzerland at the end of 2012. Few Swiss could fail to recognise Franz Hohler since everyone has come consumption in 2035 must not ex- That is 82,300 or 1% more than in across him at some point in their lives. Generations of children have seen ceed 2011 levels. Federal govern- the previous year. The birth sur- him on television playing the cello and telling stories, the politically minded have hailed him at anti-nuclear demonstrations, and those of more ment and the cantons would be plus of 17,500 and the increase in mature years enjoy listening to his walking tales. Now aged 70, on 12 May obliged to implement measures to immigrant numbers by 64,800 he was presented with the 2013 Literature Prize at Solothurn’s Literary attain this target. The proposal’s contributed to the rise in the resi- Days. The jury said: “With his off-the-wall humour and passionate com-

3 initiators say that the collection of dent population. The number of mitment he has always stood up for the invisible, the weak and the child.” Franz Hohler’s work has been translated into many non-Swiss languages: G the signatures required (100,000) foreign nationals stood at V was easily achieved. 1,869,000 at the end of 2012, in Hindi, for example, his story “The Cake” is called “Dhokha”; in Korean his “If I had a Wish” is “Nae suouan eun”, and in Arabic “Jungle Desk” is which was 53,000 more than at “Roula le edrel”. His subtle, philosophical brand of humour is world-fa- Construction boom in prospect the end of 2011. The gender dis- mous. He writes of himself and other humorists: “People say that humor-

ss Review June 2013 / No. Significantly more planning ap- tribution is 4.1 million women ists are either deadly ill or deadly serious, but actually I’m quite cheerful

Swi ChristianPhoto: Altorfer/Z plications were submitted and ap- and 4 million men. sometimes.” Ballenberg, the open-air museum of rural culture, Bernese Oberland

The valley of time Long live traditions! Precision watchmaking has molded the history of the Vallée de Joux since the 17th century. This summer, become a craftsman, At La Chaux-de-Fonds, set out a specialist in local gastronomy or turn in the tracks of watchmaking back the clock. pioneers and even become a Tip 1 watchmaker and discover the secrets of assembling a watch. MySwitzerland.com A summer devoted to Delicacies with a Webcode: AL90295 living traditions fascinating story Switzerland Tourism is cele- There is often a fascinating The secret of holes brating living traditions story hidden behind each re- Throughout the region of Em- throughout the whole of the gional specialty, such as that mental, discover the secrets of summer, giving people the of absinthe. In the Val-de- the manufacture of the famous chance to (re)discover typical Travers, visitors can follow the cheese with holes along a new regional events, such as “Green fairy”, along a route route that can be followed by Herens cattle fights with their which reveals all stages of the bicycle or electric bicycle. Your Tip 2 heavyweight combatants, drink’s manufacture and its guide: the new iPhone app, which keep thousands of eventful history. Throughout which points out all the points MySwitzerland.com spectators enthralled in the whole of Switzerland, of interest on the itinerary. Webcode: A173519 Valais in the spring. We are dozens of cheese dairies in paying homage to traditional the high mountain pastures Just like the olden days craftsmanship with numerous enable visitors to discover the The Muggio valley in the canton offers enabling visitors to learn work of master cheesemakers of Ticino is a true open-air mu- about the carving of Tschäg- such as Moléson (Fribourg) or, seum. Mills, shelters for the dry- gätta wooden masks (carnival in the Vaud Alps, to follow the ing of chestnuts and other relics characters) in the Lötschental cheese route entirely dedi- of everyday peasant life in past area (Valais) or to master the cated to the Etivaz AOC. centuries are located throughout Tip 3 art of sgrafitto, used to decor- the valley and have now been ate the houses in the Lower interconnected by a number of MySwitzerland.com Engadine. The museum of rural walking trails. Webcode: A45840 life in Ballenberg, near Inter- laken, enables you to see the craftsmen at work. Network Switzerland: Hotel de l’Aigle, Couvet Register at MySwitzerland.com/ aso from now until 30 June 2013 and win a 2-night stay for 2 people at the Typically Swiss A collaboration between Switzerland Tourism and the Organisation of the Swiss Hotel de l’Aigle in Couvet in the Abroad (OSA) Val-de-Travers, to discover the traditions of the Jura. MySwitzerland.com Webcode: A146660

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