Patriotism to take a back seat on national day
The Swiss national exhibition will host the biggest national day party on August 1, putting the country's multiculturalism in the spotlight.
Special events get underway at 1pm when musical acts and theatre troupes take the stage at the four Expo.02 sites – Biel, Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains and Murten.
There will be Bossanova bands, flamenco music, Indian vocalists and unconventional interpretations of Swiss folk music.
Andes and Alps
Music from mountain regions will set the tone in Yverdon with live performances by groups from the Andes, Himalayas and, of course, the Alps.
Official ceremonies are scheduled for 8pm, followed by concerts and, in Biel, a special play written for the occasion. Entitled, “August 02”, the play questions what it means to be Swiss and is intended to be Expo’s provocative response to the usual flag-waving ceremonies and patriotic speeches on August 1.
A 30-minute fireworks display at each of the sites will bring proceedings to a spectacular end.
The festivities wind up at 4am, with the normal Expo exhibits keeping their doors open until 10pm. Normal tickets for Expo.02 are valid on August 1.
swissinfo
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
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.