Russian culture and language lessons scrapped over Z-symbol
A woman was spotted wearing the Z-symbol at the Swiss Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival (ESAF) held late August in the region of Basel.
unbekannt
A Russian cultural association lost permission to teach in Switzerland after one of its members displayed the controversial Z-symbol at an Alpine wrestling festival. The Z-symbol is painted on Moscow’s military vehicles in Ukraine and is considered as a pro-war gesture.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/ds
Русский
ru
Русское объединение в Швейцарии споткнулось о военный символ Z
A Russian woman sparked controversy in August because she wore the Z-symbol on her costume at the parade of the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival held in Pratteln, canton Basel Country. She was a member of Russkij Basel, which organises Russian culture and language classes for primary school students in the cantons of Basel City and Basel Country.
Local education authorities decided this week to withdraw the association’s permit to provide courses over the scandal and fresh findings that led it to question the teaching environment. The decision comes into effect after the school autumn break.
No neutrality
“Based on the facts that have become known in recent weeks, and in particular due to the activities of a teacher… that have become known, the association no longer offers a guarantee for politically neutral teaching and the recognition of our fundamental rights and values,” said Basel’s Director of Education Conradin Cramer told the Grand Council on Wednesday.
The decision was expected but was taken only this week to allow the association an opportunity to be heard, according to Keystone-SDA news agency. Cramer noted that in the spring of 2022 a cantonal supervisor had visited the lessons of the association and found no signs of political influence.
The August 26 incident sparked outraged. The Ukrainian ambassador to Switzerland had been expected to attend but cancelled his visit to the festival over the matter. Several athletes have been banned from sporting events in the West for making overt pro-Kremlin displays such as wearing the Z-symbol.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
Basel prepares 700 volunteers for the Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Around 320 people took part in one of the two official information events for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel on Friday.
More Swiss soldiers involved in accidents during training in Austria
This content was published on
The Swiss army has reported various accidents involving Swiss soldiers during the exercise “TRIAS 25” in Austria. Some have led to hospitalisations.
Swiss court rules vegan meat substitutes can’t use animal names
This content was published on
Vegan meat substitutes may not bear animal names such as “planted.chicken” according to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
Swiss cantons spared duty to create new traveller transit sites
This content was published on
Swiss cantons will no longer be formally obliged by the government to create new transit sites for the travelling community.
Swiss politicians bemoan limited access to EU treaty details
This content was published on
Protests that only a few Swiss parliamentarians will be able to read the contents of a new agreement negotiated with the EU.
This content was published on
For the first time, most Swiss residents favour withdrawing their pension pot as a lump-sum over regular annuity payments.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Russia rejects protecting power mandate agreed by Switzerland and Ukraine
This content was published on
Russia has said Switzerland is no longer neutral and cannot represent Ukrainian interests in Russia and Moscow’s interests in Ukraine.
Boris Bondarev: the Kremlin sees Switzerland as under US orders
This content was published on
Boris Bondarev resigned from his post as a Russian diplomat in Geneva after the invasion of Ukraine. He speaks to SWI swissinfo.ch about his decision.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.