“Historical heritage should not stop at the border of a country,” says Swiss Abroad councillor Johann Roduit.
SWI swissinfo.ch is looking for Swiss history abroad. Do you know of any places, buildings or works of art in your country of residence that are closely linked to the history of Swiss emigration?
Let us know in the comments below!
From the article War in Ukraine reaches former Swiss colony of Shabo
In Gramado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, the Swiss community manifests itself mainly through the Vila Suíça neighbourhood and cultural events that celebrate Swiss heritage, such as the "Swiss Night" with fondue. The Vila Suíça neighbourhood, located in the city centre, is known for its Swiss-inspired architecture and quiet atmosphere, making it a desirable place to live. Vila Suíça neighbourhood:__Location:__Situated in the centre of Gramado, close to tourist attractions and with easy access to other parts of the city. __Architecture:__It has a European architectural style, reminiscent of the Swiss aesthetic. Quality of life:__It is considered a noble and safe neighbourhood, with good infrastructure and a peaceful atmosphere. Attractions:__In addition to the architecture, the neighbourhood offers leisure, dining and shopping options, with a focus on Swiss cuisine such as fondue and raclette. __Events and Celebrations:__Swiss Night:__Gastronomic event offering fondue and other Swiss delicacies, providing a cultural experience for visitors. __Cultural Influence:__Gramado as a whole, due to German and Swiss colonisation, has a strong influence on its culture, architecture and cuisine. __Housing:__The Vila Suíça neighbourhood offers a choice of high-end properties, with prices varying greatly depending on size and location. There are new condominiums with flats and penthouses that combine comfort, sophistication and a privileged location. __The neighbourhood is considered one of the most desirable to live in Gramado, due to its peaceful atmosphere and quality of life. __In short, the Swiss community in Gramado manifests itself through the Vila Suíça neighbourhood, which reflects the cultural and architectural heritage of the European country, and also through events that celebrate Swiss culture, such as "Swiss Night".
Em Gramado, no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, a comunidade suíça se manifesta principalmente através do bairro Vila Suíça e de eventos culturais que celebram a herança suíça, como a "Noite Suíça" com fondue. O bairro Vila Suíça, localizado no centro da cidade, é conhecido por sua arquitetura inspirada na Suíça e por sua atmosfera tranquila, sendo um local desejado para moradia. __Bairro Vila Suíça:__Localização:__Situado no centro de Gramado, próximo a pontos turísticos e com fácil acesso a outras regiões da cidade. __Arquitetura:__Apresenta estilo arquitetônico europeu, remetendo à estética suíça. __Qualidade de vida:__É considerado um bairro nobre e seguro, com boa infraestrutura e ambiente tranquilo. __Atrativos:__Além da arquitetura, o bairro oferece opções de lazer, gastronomia e comércio, com foco na culinária suíça, como fondue e raclette. __Eventos e Celebrações:__Noite Suíça:__Evento gastronômico que oferece fondue e outras iguarias suíças, proporcionando uma experiência cultural aos visitantes. __Influência Cultural:__Gramado como um todo, devido à colonização alemã e suíça, apresenta forte influência em sua cultura, arquitetura e culinária. __Moradia:__O bairro Vila Suíça oferece opções de imóveis de alto padrão, com preços que variam bastante, dependendo do tamanho e localização. __Há lançamentos de condomínios com apartamentos e coberturas que unem conforto, sofisticação e localização privilegiada. __O bairro é considerado um dos mais desejados para morar em Gramado, devido à sua atmosfera tranquila e qualidade de vida. __Em resumo, a comunidade suíça em Gramado se manifesta através do bairro Vila Suíça, que reflete a herança cultural e arquitetônica do país europeu, e também por meio de eventos que celebram a cultura suíça, como a "Noite Suíça".
I live in Brazil and I don't even know how important this dissemination is. As a Brazilian curator and cultural manager, I am the great-granddaughter of the Swiss-Brazilian zoologist Emílio Goeldi and the niece of the engraver Oswaldo Goeldi. For more than two decades, I have dedicated my career to preserving and internationalising the memory of these names that have marked not only the history of Brazil, but also that of Switzerland - especially in the Amazon, the visual arts and the natural sciences.____ This living, transnational heritage is cultivated through the Oswaldo Goeldi Cultural Artistic Association, with projects that rescue, document and share this legacy in exhibitions, publications and cultural activities in Brazil and abroad. One of the most emblematic examples is the exhibition "O Legado Suíço-Brasileiro na Amazônia: arte, ciência e sustentabilidade" (The Swiss-Brazilian Legacy in the Amazon: Art, Science and Sustainability), which brought to the Brazilian public the importance of the Swiss presence in the scientific and artistic formation of the Amazon region, with more than 50,000 visitors so far throughout Brazil. ____The history of Switzerland abroad is not just a memory - it is an ongoing contribution. And it's up to us, the descendants, researchers and curators, to continue these links. That's why cultural co-operation projects between Switzerland and Brazil are essential if this narrative is not to be lost, but to flourish in new generations and territories.____here is a place where this heritage pulses strongly: the Brazilian Amazon, where Emílio Goeldi put down scientific and human roots, as well as Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo and the city of Taubaté, in the interior of São Paulo, where his descendants settled and where we still keep Oswaldo Goeldi's artistic tradition alive.____The Swiss heritage is a shared heritage - and deserves to cross borders, walls and maps.__We need to join forces to take this exhibition to Switzerland after COP 30.
Vivo no Brasil e nem sei da importância desta difusão. Como curadora e gestora cultural brasileira, bisneta do zoólogo suíço-brasileiro Emílio Goeldi e sobrinha do gravador Oswaldo Goeldi. Há mais de duas décadas, venho dedicando minha trajetória à preservação e à internacionalização da memória desses nomes que marcaram não apenas a história do Brasil, mas também a da Suíça — sobretudo na Amazônia, nas artes visuais e nas ciências naturais.____Essa herança viva e transnacional é cultivada por meio da Associação Artística Cultural Oswaldo Goeldi, com projetos que resgatam, documentam e compartilham esse legado em exposições, publicações e ações culturais no Brasil e no exterior. Um dos exemplos mais emblemáticos é a exposição “O Legado Suíço-Brasileiro na Amazônia: arte, ciência e sustentabilidade”, que levou ao público brasileiro a relevância da presença suíça na formação científica e artística da região amazônica, com mais de 50 mil visitantes até o momento por todo o Brasil. ____A história da Suíça no exterior não é apenas memória — é contribuição contínua. E cabe a nós, descendentes, pesquisadores e curadores, dar continuidade a esses vínculos. Por isso, projetos de cooperação cultural entre Suíça e Brasil são fundamentais para que essa narrativa não se perca, mas floresça em novas gerações e territórios.____Um lugar onde essa herança pulsa com força: a Amazônia brasileira, onde Emílio Goeldi fincou raízes científicas e humanas, assim como o Rio de Janeiro, Nova Friburgo e a cidade de Taubaté, no interior paulista, onde seus descendentes fixaram residência e ainda mantemos viva a tradição artística de Oswaldo Goeldi.____A herança suíça é um patrimônio compartilhado — e merece atravessar fronteiras, muros e mapas.__Precisamos juntar forças para levar esta exposição para a Suíça após a COP 30.
Yes, there is a place with Swiss history.
The Gail'sche Park in Rodheim Bieber, central Hesse near Giessen. The beautiful Swiss chalet in the park is used for cultural events.
Ja, es gibt einen Ort mit Schweizer Geschichte.
Der Gail‘sche Park in Rodheim Bieber, Mittelhessen bei Gießen. Im Park das schöne Schweizer Chalet, das für kulturelle Anlässe genutzt wird.
Here in Losone /TI, half of the population emigrated to Florence.
My parents were also born in Florence.
Why? We had a lot of land here in Ticino. Part of it was used for agriculture
(partly leased). Unfortunately, then there was the wheat plague... and people no longer had any
income. Many then emigrated. When the war started
they all came back to Ticino. My parents too. But also the Biandas, the Brogginis, Fornera etc.
Hier in Losone /TI ist die Hälfte der Bevölkerung nach Florenz ausgewandert.
Auch meine Eltern wurden in Florenz geboren.
Warum? Hier im Tessin hatten wir viel Land. Ein Teil davon für in Landwirtschaft
(z.T. verpachtet). Leider gab es dann die Weizen-Pest... und die Leute hatten kein
Einkommen mehr. Viele sind dann eben ausgewandert. Als der Krieg begann
kamen sie dann alle zurück ins Tessin. Auch meine Eltern. Aber auch die Biandas, die Brogginis, Fornera usw.
Ralph Bircher who is known for the Swiss dish Bircher Musli was inspired from my home town Hunza. He even wrote a book about it. In Order to expand his business he sent copies of the book to the König of Hunza asking him to agree in promoting the myth of life longevity in Hunza. The letter is preserved in a museum in Munich.
Also A village called Ghalapan changed its name to mini Switzerland because of its resemblance to the Grindelwald region but with higher and dryer mountains. As you enter the village on the Karakarum Highway, a sign board reads welcome to mini Switzerland:)
Thank you very much for your interesting comments, which I will be happy to follow up.
Vielen Dank für Ihre interessanten Hinweise, denen ich gerne nachgehe.
Nueva Helvecia , officially Colonia Switzerland Nueva Helvecia , also known as Colonia Switzerland , is a Uruguayan city in the department of Colonia . It is located 58 kilometers from the departmental capital Colonia del Sacramento . It is also the seat of the municipality of the same name
The first waves of migration of Europeans , mainly Swiss , arrived in this area at the end of 1861 . On April 25, 1862, most of the emigrants arrived, a day that is considered the founding day of the city.
The colony was consolidated and agricultural work became one of its main sources of income, especially fruit growing and dairy farming. On May 26, 1894, the decree proclaiming it a "town" was promulgated. With Law No. 11,892 of December 11, 1952, Nueva Helvecia was elevated to the category of "town". 6
The severe economic crisis that Switzerland was experiencing at the time forced many of its citizens to seek better opportunities abroad, where America represented an opportunity for prosperity and progress.
In the case of Uruguay in particular, it offered immigrants a number of alternatives, not only because of its stability and hegemony, but also because it had large rural properties, and proof of this is the settlement of the first houses on the west coast . The first houses were built on the west coast, above the departments of Colonia and Soriano, intended for agricultural and livestock productivity.
Nueva Helvecia , offiziell Colonia Switzerland Nueva Helvecia , auch bekannt als Colonia Switzerland , ist eine uruguayische Stadt im Departement Colonia . Es liegt 58 Kilometer von der Departementshauptstadt Colonia del Sacramento entfernt . Es ist auch Sitz der gleichnamigen Gemeinde
Ende 1861 kamen die ersten Migrationswellen von Europäern , hauptsächlich Schweizern , in dieses Gebiet . Am 25. April 1862 trafen die meisten Auswanderer ein, ein Tag, der als Gründungstag der Stadt gilt.
Die Kolonie wurde konsolidiert und die landwirtschaftliche Arbeit wurde zu einer ihrer Haupteinnahmequellen, insbesondere der Obstanbau und die Milchwirtschaft. Am 26. Mai 1894 wurde das Dekret zur Ausrufung einer „Stadt“ verkündet. Mit dem Gesetz Nr. 11.892 vom 11. Dezember 1952 wurde Nueva Helvecia in die Kategorie „Stadt“ erhoben. 6
Die schwere Wirtschaftskrise, die die Schweiz zu dieser Zeit durchlebte, zwang viele ihrer Bürger dazu, bessere Chancen im Ausland zu suchen, wo Amerika eine Möglichkeit für Wohlstand und Fortschritt darstellte.
Insbesondere im Falle Uruguays bot es Einwanderern eine Reihe von Alternativen, nicht nur aufgrund seiner Stabilität und Hegemonie, sondern auch, weil es über große ländliche Grundstücke verfügte, und ein Beweis dafür ist die Ansiedlung der ersten Häuser an der Westküste . , über den Departements Colonia und Soriano , bestimmt für die landwirtschaftliche und tierische Produktivität.
In the coastal mountains of northwest British Columbia, Canada, is the town of Smithers, known as "Little Switzerland" for the Swiss who settled there in the late 1800s. Great skiing and fishing!
.
Good afternoon! I think we are also intelligent machines but sometimes we are limited in what machines like robotics do with greater dexterity and speed. A robot can fail if it is not programmed to do what it needs to do, and if it does it wrong, the damage is often irreparable. Machines are always precise when it comes to the rules of execution, but they are still far from reaching the sophistication of detail!" (Shakespeare)
Artificial intelligence, as the name implies, is not natural intelligence. Natural intelligence was created by its DNA, God's molecule; artificial intelligence was created by man and has no DNA. Nothing replaces a divine natural intelligence. Leonardo da Vinci in painting, Bach and Vivaldi in music, Einstein the mathematical physicist, Shakespeare in plays are all conscious intelligences.
Boa Tarde! Penso que tambem somos maquinas inteligentes porém as vezes somos limitados o que as máquinas como robótica fazem com destreza e velocidade maior. Porém toda máquina pode ter tendências a falhar pois como máquinas que somos as máquinas não são conscientes .Um robô pode falhar se não for programado para aquilo que precisa ser feito e se fizer errado os danos muito das vezes são irreparaveis. As máquinas são sempre precisas no que diz respeito às normas de execução mas ainda estão longe de alcançar a sofisticação do detalhe! ( Shakespeare)
Sobre a inteligência artificial o nome já diz não é uma inteligência natural. A inteligência natural foi criada pelo seu DNA a molécula de Deus a inteligência artificial foi criada pelo homem e não tem DNA. Nada substitui uma inteligência natural divina. Leonardo da Vinci na pintura Bach e Vivaldi na música,Einstein físico matemático,Shakespeare nas peças de teatro pois são inteligências conscientes.
My parents lived in Asti, Northern California. There is an historical landmark #651 with a large plaque on a stone that reads..."Italian Swiss Colony" about the immigrants who arrived in 1881 and established an agricultural colony and produced wines.
I live in the Ticino and have heard many stories of the emigration to California from the Maggia Valley. There is an interesting museum in Cevio where one sees the back and forth movements of the Swiss Italians.
As you know, the history of Israel's origins has a lot to do with Switzerland. The 1st Zionist Congress and those that followed were held in Basel. So there are many connections with our CH.
- For example, a street named Basel in Tel Aviv.
- The CH children's village Kiriat Yearim near Jerusalem was founded by the association Kiriat Yearim Switzerland around 1951 and has been supported continuously ever since.
- There are over 20,000 Swiss citizens in Israel, including some artists such as the mouth painter Bracha Fischel and myself as a book author (see Victor Weiss - Light and Shadow).
- In Rehovot there is the Chaviot Switzerland Center for Culture and Sport, which was founded and financed by Keren Hayessod Switzerland.
Wie Sie ja wissen, hat Israels Entstehungsgeschichte viel mit der CH zu tun. Der 1. Zionistenkongress und die darauffolgenden warden in Basel abgehalten. So gibt es veil Beziehungen our CH.
- Z.B. eine Strasse Names Basel in Tel Aviv.
- Das CH-Kinderdorf Kiriat Yearim bei Jerusalem wurde von dem Verein Kiriat Yearim Schweiz um 1951 gegründet und wird bis heute seitdem ununterbrochen unterstuetzt.
- In Israel gibt es ueber 20'000 CH-Buerger und darunter einige Kuenstler wie z.B. die Mundmalerin Bracha Fischel und meine Wenigkeit als Buchautor (Siehe Victor Weiss - Licht und Schatten).
- In Rehovot gibt es das Zentrum Chaviot Schweiz fuer Kultur und Sport, das von Keren Hayessod Schweiz gegründet und finanziert wurde.
Have lived in Australia since 1975 and loving it. Pretty sad that I cannot find a reasonably priced way of getting my Family Tree beyond my grand parents without spending weeks in CH offices which I cannot do. I would love to leave this information behind for our kids and grand kids. Hopefully someone has some bright ideas. Born in SH 1954, left in 1975. Cheers Peter Vogelsanger
Dear Mr. Vogelsanger
Thank you for your contribution. Unfortunately, I can't help you with any tips. But perhaps other Swiss abroad are facing the same questions?
The FDFA has written the following page on the subject: [url]https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/germany/de/home/dienstleistungen/ahnenforschung.html[/url]
Kind regards
Sehr geehrter Herr Vogelsanger
Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag. Leider kann ich Ihnen nicht mit Tipps weiterhelfen. Aber vielleicht stehen auch andere Auslandschweizerinnen und Auslandschweizer vor den gleichen Fragen?
Das EDA hat folgende Seite zum Thema verfasst: [url]https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/germany/de/home/dienstleistungen/ahnenforschung.html[/url]
Freundliche Grüsse
Perhaps one of the most enduring legacies of Swiss emigration to the US are the many Swiss clubs that still operate around the country. Quite notable are the ones in California, Oregon and Washington, many of which have their own facilities/grounds (some elaborate) and yearly host a circuit of Schwingfests, sometimes with wrestlers from Switzerland competing. Other clubs around the country hold regular events throughout the year. A list of US Swiss clubs is posted here: [url=https://theswisscenter.org/u-s-swiss-clubs]https://theswisscenter.org/u-s-swiss-clubs.[/url] Still other US Swiss clubs have gone by the wayside. For example, in Scranton, PA, there were a sufficient number of Swiss immigrants to form a Swiss Society in 1870 - and another local group that was large enough underwrite life insurance policies. I have a pamphlet that shows that club was still vibrant enough to bring in a band from Interlaken for its 80th anniversary celebration in 1950.
I live in El Reno, OK. In between El Reno and Okarche on Highway 81, there is a Mennonite Cemetery where an old church once stood. Out front is a monument to the Swiss immigrants/settlers who built the church and settled here as farmers. I know a little of the history of that church and the area farmers as my grandfather was one of them. He came from Jegenstorf with his brothers at the age of 19.
Dear Mr. Zweiacher
Thank you for your contribution. Is the Swiss connection of this church still "celebrated" today?
Kind regards
Melanie Eichenberger
Lieber Herr Zweiacher
Vielen Dank für Ihren Beitrag. Wird der Schweizbezug dieser Kirche noch heute "zelebriert" ?
Freundliche Grüsse
Melanie Eichenberger
Albert Frey / Palm Springs Architect (Desert Modernism 1903)
Golden Gate Bridge/ Swiss engineering (Completion 1937)
Palm Springs has a gondola/ brought in from Switzerland.
Here in Southern California, there is San Bernardino County, and they told us from the start as we lived here, that the name came from Swiss people visiting California way back in time.
The greater town of Helvetia, Oregon, USA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/WEL1QciuHEY6M8eQ6
Was founded by Swiss and celebrates many Swiss customs.
Wyssen logging systems have left their distinctive marks here in the steep North Cascades, for at least the last 60 years. I recall playing hooky from our forestry class near Darrington Washington, back in 1961, just to see the Wyssen logging above that small town in western Washington State. Their cable tracks above Mazama (east central Washington) were obvious to my helicopter skiing clients, back in the 1980s, and now I'm married to a Swiss wife who knew the Wyssen family. Such is life here in the "American Alps."
Thank you for your contribution!
Danke für Ihren Beitrag!
My father was born in New Glarus, Wisconsin, "America's Little Switzerland", according to the town's slogan. New Glarus was founded in 1843 with 150 emigrants from Canton Glarus. They were joined by more former Glarners over time, and the town retained its heritage (continuing to publish a version in Swiss German until about 1970).
My dad's generation was the first New Glarus generation the majority of whom left New Glarus for more urban parts of the US (nothing particular about New Glarus, that was the national trend). My family returned often to New Glarus to visit our grandparents, and we all have fond memories of it -- and the curious Glarner accent my grandparents still used. It was as if it were frozen in amber.
Now, sixty years later, you will find little genuine Glarner heritage remaining in New Glarus, which saddens me, despite resigning myself to the change.
New Glarus did produce at least one published author (and playwright) Herb Kubly. One book, Native's Return, was about his experiences returning to Canton Glarus. My father told me the 20th century Glarners weren't pleased with Herb's depiction.
Dear Tom
Thank you for your contribution and the interesting insight.
Lieber Tom
Danke für Ihren Beitrag und den interessanten Einblick.
I live in Holmes county Ohio. My father Alfred Guggisberg emigrated from Riffenmatt/Guggisberg Switzerland in the 1940's. He was a master cheesemaker. In the early and mid 20th century many Swiss cheesemakers emigrated to this area. At one time there were as many as 50 small cheese houses in a 25 mile radius. After the years most of these closed or consolidated and only 5 factories remain in Ohio, all still run by Swiss families. Ohio is the largest producer of Swiss (Emmenthaler) in the USA. I still carry on the tradition with two of these factories. All of my children retain their Swiss citizenship. Most of the original immigrants have passed away but there still remains a strong Swiss culture. The town of Sugarcreek keeps a Swiss theme in its buildings and has an annual Swiss festival. Many Swiss descendants wear their traditional Swiss clothes. There is also a Schwingfest, yodeling constest, Alphorns and many other traditions. It is also a fact that this is the largest concentration of Amish in the world, most of whom came from Ct Bern, Switzerland.
Very interesting! Would you be interested in talking to us about your story?
Sehr interessant! Hätten Sie Interesse, einmal mit uns über Ihre Geschichte zu sprechen?
yes i would be interested to talk with you. It would be much easier for me if you would use my email address as i have had a tough time navigating back to this site
Thank you
All right: Please contact me at melanie.eichenberger@swissinfo.ch, as I unfortunately do not have access to your e-mail address. Thank you very much.
Alles klar: Bitte kontaktieren Sie mich doch auf melanie.eichenberger@swissinfo.ch, da ich leider keinen Zugriff auf Ihre E-Mailadresse habe. Vielen Dank.
I live now in North Carolina, USA. In the early 1980's, I lived and worked in Geneva for an international organization. I met Swiss friends who have become like family. I return to Switzerland at least once a year to visit them and travel around this amazing country. My Swiss friends have come to America a number of times, too.
Join the conversation!