Swiss Identity

Contador wins first Swiss leg of Tour de France

This content was published on Jul 19, 2009 Contador, the 2007 Tour winner, broke away to win the 207.5 kilometre stretch, which started in Pontarlier in France and ended in the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. He now gains the yellow jersey. “I’m very happy with this result. The climb wasn’t that long but I wanted to make a difference,” said Contador, who…

Demographics

Swiss captain Frei moves back to FC Basel

This content was published on Jul 19, 2009 The 30-year-old striker leaves German club Borussia Dortmund for a three-year contract at Basel, where he spent three years as a teenager. “At the time, when I left Basel, I swore to myself that I’d return,” Frei told a press conference at Basel FC on Sunday. Frei is Switzerland’s record national team scorer with 39…

Culture

Prince reigns over end of Montreux

This content was published on Jul 19, 2009 His appearance crowns a successful 2009 festival, which the organisers say attracted around 230,000 visitors – 10,000 more than last year. Prince, now aged 51, gave two shows on Saturday evening to a packed out Stravinsky Auditorium. Tickets had sold out in a record eight minutes after the concerts were announced, despite seats not being…

Demographics

Surprise fencing medals for Swiss teams

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 The result followed on from the Swiss women’s unexpected bronze medal on Saturday. They triumphed in the epee category, just beating a strong German team. The men’s team was beaten by Hungary on Sunday after being the surprise squad to reach the final. Meanwhile, the Swiss ladies were not put off by the presence of…

Demographics

Hopes are high for Tour de France’s Swiss leg

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 Alberto Contador on Sunday won the stage that went from Pontarlier in France to the Swiss ski resort of Verbier. A second stage with Swiss locations is still to come. Contador, the 2007 Tour winner, made a sprint to win the 15th leg of 207.5 kilometres and now gains the yellow jersey. Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck…

Culture

High notes for Basel as Tattoo week begins

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 The tattoo has become an enormous success since its inception four years ago and is now the second largest in terms of performers and budget after the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Around 2,000 musicians took part in the parade. Among those processing were the Blues and Royals from Britain, who are appearing for the first…

Culture

Icon of Switzerland still going strong at 125

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 It’s hardly surprising when you consider that he has grown up with pocket knives and is carrying on the family tradition at Victorinox, the company that manufactures the knife. As the company celebrates its 125th anniversary, the Forum of Swiss History in Schwyz, which is near the company factory in central Switzerland, is hosting a…

Demographics

Required: a licence to babysit

This content was published on Jul 18, 2009 The cabinet wants to introduce the measure to guarantee minimum standards when children are cared for by someone outside the immediate family. Political parties and institutions have until September 15 to provide feedback on the proposal to extend the law on foster children to include guidelines on childcare in general. Each canton will be expected…

Culture

Menuhin’s spirit lives on at Gstaad festival

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 Christoph Müller, music director of the festival, which starts on Friday, tells swissinfo.ch about his vision for the event, the effects of the economic crisis and how musicians manage to play in a tent. Menuhin, of Russian Jewish background, had a long career which took him all over the world. In 1957 he decided to…

Demographics

Summer camps reel from swine-flu increase

This content was published on Jul 17, 2009 At an international institute in Verbier, where students aged 8-18 come from all over the globe for three weeks of sports in the Alps, officials said more than 40 youths and ten camp leaders had become ill in recent days. Last week there were 14 people ill at the camp. “The state of their health…

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Swiss Identity

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Contador wins first Swiss leg of Tour de France

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Swiss captain Frei moves back to FC Basel

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Prince reigns over end of Montreux

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Surprise fencing medals for Swiss teams

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Hopes are high for Tour de France’s Swiss leg

More

High notes for Basel as Tattoo week begins

More

Icon of Switzerland still going strong at 125

More

Required: a licence to babysit

More

Menuhin’s spirit lives on at Gstaad festival

More

Summer camps reel from swine-flu increase

Popular Stories

Most Discussed