SWISS REVIEW The magazine for the Swiss Abroad June 2020 Stephan Eicher – the charismatic Swiss troubadour Trees to beat the summer heat – how our cities are responding to climate change Switzerland in the grip of COVID-19 – how the coronavirus turned life upside down The publisher of “Swiss Review” is the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). Especially now during the corona crisis, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) is thinking of the Swiss Abroad all over the world. We continue to offer you advice and support during this period. Stay safe. SwissCommunity partners: International Health & Travel Insurance and Superior Service for Swiss Expats, Schweizer Weine für Europa Travelers and Mobile Employees. +41 43 399 89 89 Vins suisses pour l‘Europe [email protected] www.asn.ch www.switzerland-wine.com Swiss Made Anzeige 94.5x29.25.indd 2 07.04.20 08:18 Consular services anywhere, conveniently Set an on your mobile devices exempleexample www.fdfa.admin.ch Montreal (2020) for anen entire generation! The guide of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad offers you some valuable information on inheritance planning. © Alessandra Bezzola New text for the Swiss national anthem More than 200 artists took part in the creation of a new text of the Swiss White cross on a shining red, national anthem. The new hymn text to the traditional melody is based on the woven by a common thread: Swiss core values expressed in the preamble of the Swiss Federal Constitution. freedom, independence, equality. As 500,000 Swiss abroad and residents in Switzerland are native English spea- Open to the world in solidarity, Swiss are one in peace and diversity. kers, the new text has been translated not only into the four official Swiss languages but also into English. All Swiss Free are we who freely speak, clubs are invited to sing the new hymnal text at their federal celebrations on August 1. More information can be found strong as we protect the weak. at: www.sgg-ssup.ch/en/nationalhymne.html. As soon as the new hymn text is known enough, the Swiss electorate White cross on a shining red, will be asked to determine it. The creation of the new text is an initiative of the Swiss Society for the Common Good that sign of Switzerland, the path we tread. donated the Rütli meadow to the Swiss people and promotes social cohesion in Switzerland. Inserat Auslandschweizer_042020.indd 1 Swiss06.04.2020 Review / June 12:30:59 2020 / No. 3 Contents Editorial 3 A country paralysed 4 Information on the coronavirus crisis It is hard to know where to start. This is my umpteenth attempt to write something about the coronavirus 5 Mailbag outbreak in Switzerland. Every version so far has more or less been out of date as soon as I typed the last word. 6 Focus First, I described the spectre of COVID-19 in Italy. Sec- Switzerland’s cities are planting ond, the angst surrounding the first coronavirus cases trees to beat the summer heat. in Ticino. I then tried to write something about the impact on sporting and cultural events. In my fourth 10 Culture draft, I said the worst was probably yet to come. I also considered the impli- Stephan Eicher has lit up cations: the government’s emergency powers, the upending of democratic the Swiss music scene for 40 years processes, the shutting of schools, the ban on gatherings, the closure of non-essential businesses. Even these aspects seemed to have been overtaken 13 Politics by events by the following day. Meanwhile, infections and deaths were ris- The Swiss company at the ing fast. So was the number of people suddenly out of work. centre of a huge spy scandal This is anything but a new and difficult kind of normality. How can it be normal when we are constantly facing new, arduous and unprecedented chal- 16 Literature series lenges? Certainly, things will have changed again by the time you read this magazine. Perhaps my hope (while writing this at the end of March) that the News from your region crisis could be over by the end of May has turned out to be true. Or maybe I am completely wrong and Switzerland’s shutdown has had even graver con- 17 Report sequences. The Swiss municipality with We should not overlook the positive aspects: in Switzerland many people the biggest cow population are showing kindness and consideration to others during this crisis. It starts with helping older people who are at risk. This is important to consider, be- 20 Society cause everyone’s fortitude is being tested. The surreal fact of the matter is COVID-19 – the virus that paralysed that, although we are all in this together, we are also alone. The poorest, the Switzerland within a month weakest and the most vulnerable members of society have never felt so iso- lated, and this at the very time when they need all the human love and 22 OSA news warmth they can get. Essentially, we are all social beings. They as much as anyone else. Reader survey – tell us what you Yet there are still reasons to be cheerful. One of these is Stephan Eicher, would like to see in our magazine who recently won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Swiss Music 27 news.admin.ch Awards in recognition of his 40-year career in music. Reason enough for us to pay tribute to this magnificent musician and his body of work. 28 Images We are also looking forward to getting to know you, our readers, a little bit better: “Swiss Review” is conducting a reader survey, and we would love 30 Books / Sounds you to tell us what you think about our magazine – both good and bad. Your feedback is important to us. MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 31 Top pick / News “Swiss Review”, the information magazine Cover photo: Stephan Eicher performing in Lucerne for the “Fifth Switzerland”, is published by the on 27 February 2020. Photo: Marco Masiello Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA). Swiss Review / June 2020 / No. 3 Colourised electron microscopic image of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Photo: iStock The coronavirus crisis in Switzerland Swiss coronavirus curve Federal Council postpones on a sharp trajectory votes scheduled for 17 May Switzerland reported its first coronavirus The coronavirus crisis and On 18 March 2020, the Federal Council decided to case on 25 February 2020. The number of the content of our magazine postpone the federal votes scheduled for 17 May cases reached 10,000 on 25 March. Nought to 2020. Two days later, the Federal Council passed an 10,000 in the space of a month. The number Much of the content in the last edition of ordinance suspending the collection of signatures as of coronavirus fatalities within that time was “Swiss Review” was produced before COVID-19 well as subsequent campaigning in relation to all 150. By 30 March, only five days later, over reached Switzerland. Some content in edition pending votes (popular initiatives and optional 300 people had died and more than 15,000 2/2020 was overtaken by events. This in- referendums). Furthermore, the Federal Council had become infected as the Swiss coronavi- cludes information on important votes that strongly urged cantons and municipalities to ban rus curve continued rising steeply beyond have since been postponed. The complexity local council meetings in all but exceptional cases. the first month. There was real concern at the of publishing “Swiss Review” in four differ- The background information that we provided in possibility of intensive care units in Swiss ent languages and 13 different regional ver- the last edition of “Swiss Review” about the Swiss hospitals being overwhelmed. By the time sions meant it was not possible to make fur- Hunting Act and the SVP’s limitation initiative the various language versions of this latest ther corrections. We thank you for your continues to apply. Only the voting date no longer edition of “Swiss Review” had been trans- understanding. This, the latest issue of the applies and will be rescheduled. (MUL) lated and proofread one month later, the magazine (editorial deadline of 26 March), death toll had hit 1460, with 29,700 recorded was produced while the crisis in Switzerland infections (30 April 2020). (MUL) was beginning to escalate, hence we are not completely satisfied with the end result. A challenge for Swiss pensioners Please also note that most of the events listed under regional news will not take place as Every year, Swiss expatriates who receive COVID-19 – what you need to know announced, if at all. MARC LETTAU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF pension benefits under the old-age and sur- vivors’ insurance (OASI) or disability insur- Keep your distance, wash your hands, ance (DI) must submit notarised proof of life stay at home. Postal delivery issues confirmation to the Central Compensation The vast majority of people have been following the Office (CCO) in Geneva. The coronavirus Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) guidelines on also hit “Swiss Review” preventing the spread of infection very closely. pandemic means that people in many coun- Further information: ogy.de/corona-bag International deliveries have become a chal- tries are having difficulties contacting -au lenge around the world due to a sharp drop thorities, meeting deadlines and sending Stranded abroad? in transport capacity. Many deliveries are documents by post. We therefore advise Thanks to flights specially chartered by the Federal taking much longer than usual or not arriv- pensioners to send their documents as well Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), many Swiss ing at all. “Swiss Review” is no exception.