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Swiss Abroad: How do you celebrate Swiss National Day where you live?

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In my work, I focus on topics that are relevant to Swiss citizens abroad – from political developments in Switzerland and their impact on the diaspora to social, economic, and cultural issues. Before joining SWI swissinfo.ch, I worked as a local journalist for the Aargauer Zeitung. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Multilingual Communication and, as is typically Swiss, completed an apprenticeship as a commercial employee.

August 1 is just around the corner – and Swiss National Day is celebrated in many different ways around the world.

Do you take part in the celebrations? Do you have any special traditions for Switzerland’s birthday?

Let us know where you live and how you usually celebrate August 1.

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
OliverBKK
OliverBKK
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

We celebrated 1 August at the Swiss Embassy in Bangkok - together with our family and other families from the RIS Swiss Section - Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok.____This year it was a very special evening: never before have so many friends of Switzerland come together to celebrate our common identity. The occasion was not only National Day, but also the grand opening of the new Event Gardens on the embassy grounds - a place for encounters, exchange and cultural dialogue.____I was particularly impressed by the engaging speech by Ambassador Pedro Zwahlen, who spoke, among other things, about the newly signed free trade agreement between Thailand and the EFTA states and Switzerland's active role in political and cultural issues in the region.____Many compliments to the Swiss Embassy and the Swiss Society Bangkok for the excellent organisation. From the sounds of the alphorn to Swiss specialities, everything was there to make the heart beat faster - a worthy evening for the "Fifth Switzerland".____🇨🇭 Many thanks for this unforgettable evening.

Wir haben den 1. August in der Schweizerischen Botschaft in Bangkok gefeiert – gemeinsam mit unserer Familie und anderen Familien der RIS Swiss Section – Deutschsprachige Schule Bangkok.____Dieses Jahr war es ein ganz besonderer Abend: Noch nie zuvor kamen so viele Freundinnen und Freunde der Schweiz zusammen, um unsere gemeinsame Identität zu feiern. Anlass war nicht nur der Nationalfeiertag, sondern auch die feierliche Eröffnung des neuen Event Gardens auf dem Botschaftsgelände – ein Ort der Begegnung, des Austauschs und des kulturellen Dialogs.____Besonders beeindruckt hat mich die engagierte Rede von Botschafter Pedro Zwahlen, der unter anderem über das neu unterzeichnete Freihandelsabkommen zwischen Thailand und den EFTA-Staaten sowie die aktive Rolle der Schweiz in politischen und kulturellen Fragen der Region sprach.____Ein großes Kompliment an die Schweizerische Botschaft und die Swiss Society Bangkok für die hervorragende Organisation. Von Alphornklängen bis hin zu Schweizer Spezialitäten war alles da, was das Herz höherschlagen lässt – ein würdiger Abend für die “Fünfte Schweiz”.____🇨🇭 Herzlichen Dank für diesen unvergesslichen Abend.

ElisabethSRubin
ElisabethSRubin

Every year for the past several decades, I have gone to the Swiss Embassy in Washington, DC to celebrate the birthday of Switzerland. As a child, I enjoyed the Lampion Parade and bonfire, and now I enjoy the delicious bratwurst, entertainment by Swiss performers, and an annual raffle. It's a beloved custom first introduced to me by my father, who grew up in Solothurn.

Paul Douglas Higentobler
Paul Douglas Higentobler

Hi, The Swiss Association of Hong Kong held it’s Swiss National Day Celebrations at Island Shangri’la in Admiralty, Hong Kong on August 1, 2025. Thanks to the strong collaboration between our SAHK President Ms. Ching Yin Law Seeholzer and Island Shangri’la’s General Manager, Clifford Greiner, the event hosted 240 members and friends of the Swiss Association and Swiss Chamber of Hong Kong. Guests enhoyed Swiss specialties, Swiss wines sponsored by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, Swiss President’s speech to the Swiss Abroad, singing the the national anthem, alphorn competition, Swiss knowledge pop quiz and raffle draw with fantastic prizes. All sales of raffle tickets will be donated to a well known local charity. A very successful event.

Hilti
Hilti

Celebrating Swiss National Day on the 1st of August with traditional swiss dishes @ Mèlange Bilpin this weekend. 🇨🇭🎉🇨🇭 __Bilpin , Blue Mountains, NSW , Australia 🇨🇭🇦🇺

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR