Fireworks of all kinds on August 1
Stormy weather offered stiff competition to the traditional Swiss National Day evening fireworks.
MeteoNews counted more than 5,000 bolts of lightning over the country in the later hours of August 1.
A large deluge of rain and even hail caused damage to cars and roofs and led to flooded cellars in the canton of Bern. The local fire service was called out 50 times. Central Switzerland also reported heavy rain and wind.
The storms followed what had been largely ideal conditions during the day for the national celebration, in which Swiss celebrate the founding of their country.
Among those giving speeches was President Doris Leuthard who called for a debate about Switzerland’s future, so that the population could also be proud of the country in the years to come.
Around 1,200 people made their way to the Rütli meadow in central Switzerland, traditionally regarded as the country’s birthplace. In 1291 representatives of three rural communities in central Switzerland took an oath of mutual support there to preserve their freedoms against encroachments by would-be overlords.
Giving the speech was this year’s Mr Switzerland, Jan Bühlmann, who called on those assembled to follow their dreams.
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