Cluster: Swiss Identity

Locarno festival loses director to small screen

This content was published on Aug 28, 2012 The unexpected move leaves a Père-shaped void at top of the renowned festival, where 8,000 people gather annually in the Piazza Grande to gaze at one of the largest open-air screens in the world. Festival organisers have called a board meeting for September 4 to discuss a possible successor. Père’s predecessor, Frédéric Maire, also only…

Culture

Back light

This content was published on Aug 25, 2012 Blum always regarded himself as an artist and strove for photography to be recognised as an independent art medium. He was also interested in film-making and inspired by experiments by 19th century film pioneers. No comprehensive retrospective of his oeuvre was ever mounted in his lifetime. The Swiss photography foundation in Winterthur is showing “Back…

“Simply follow the trail of horse dung”

This content was published on Aug 24, 2012 He recommended the route from Grindelwald over the Grosse Scheidegg pass and down to Meiringen as a trip “full of magnificent objects which can be done quite comfortably and with no danger”. His advice still stands today, and the route has remained very popular. swissinfo.ch retraced the walk, history books in hand, and speaking to…

Culture

Discovering Switzerland’s history on foot

This content was published on Aug 24, 2012 It’s not really a mass phenomenon like the exodus to the ski resorts every winter. Yet during the summer hundreds of thousands of people set out along the many historic trails which crisscross Switzerland. A few figures suffice to establish the significance of hiking for tourism in Switzerland. The network of mule-tracks, paths and trails…

Demographics

New nature parks given green light

This content was published on Aug 23, 2012 The Beverin, Pfyn-Finges as well as the Doubs and Jura Vaudois parks are to be established next year. The new reserves of 1,417 square metres are spread over 71 communes and in eastern, as well as northwestern and southwestern Switzerland and have more than 120,000 inhabitants, according to the environment office. However, in some cases…

Education

Apprenticeships offer valued workplace training

This content was published on Aug 23, 2012 Three days a week, Zwahlen boards the train at 6am to go from his hometown of Münsingen to nearby Thun, where he is in his first month of an apprenticeship programme at Studer AG, the world’s leading manufacturer of round grinding machines used in the auto industry. Zwahlen’s experiences are shared by 74 other apprentices…

Culture

“Working full-time is a conversation stopper”

This content was published on Aug 22, 2012 The norm for mothers of young children is to work part-time, mostly less than 50 per cent. Fewer than one in ten fathers work part-time (see sidebar). It is rare for women to ramp up to full-time again when their children are older and reap the career benefits. swissinfo.ch spoke to four mothers in four different situations. Natalia…

Demographics

Is having it all a realistic goal for either sex?

This content was published on Aug 22, 2012 The demands of a growing family are not going to change so something has to give. What has your experience taught you about combining parenthood and professional success?

Demographics

Asylum decisions to be made within 48 hours

This content was published on Aug 21, 2012 Gattiker told the media in Basel on Tuesday that the migration office was reacting to the significant increase in asylum seekers from the Balkans, predominantly Roma from Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Since 2010, these countries have enjoyed visa-free status. He said that in July alone, applications from Macedonia had increased 83 per cent…

Culture

Alpine idylls meet urban expectations

This content was published on Aug 21, 2012 Mouth-watering smells waft into the dining area from the kitchen, where the young “hut helpers” are juggling piles of plates. Guests can fortify themselves with hearty dishes such as rösti, plates of local cheese or dried meat, or bowls of fruit-laden muesli. Barbara Wäfler brings vegetable soup with pork sausages, which hit the spot after…

Cluster: Swiss Identity

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Cluster: Swiss Identity

More

Locarno festival loses director to small screen

More

Back light

More

“Simply follow the trail of horse dung”

More

Discovering Switzerland’s history on foot

More

New nature parks given green light

More

Apprenticeships offer valued workplace training

More

“Working full-time is a conversation stopper”

More

Is having it all a realistic goal for either sex?

More

Asylum decisions to be made within 48 hours

More

Alpine idylls meet urban expectations

Popular Stories

Most Discussed