Swiss Identity

Harping on around the world

This content was published on Jul 24, 2002 The image of the flaxen-haired maiden playing a Celtic harp is perhaps a little outdated. As the eighth World Harp Congress shows, the harp is also an important instrument in the music of Latin America, Africa and the Far East, as well as being versatile enough to cope with jazz and rock. The congress is…

Paléo: from Godfather to Gainsbourg

This content was published on Jul 24, 2002 As ever, the six-day festival in Nyon, now in its 27th year, features an eclectic mix. Headline acts include the superannuated Supertramp, veterans like The Cure, the Pet Shop Boys and De La Soul, and top French acts like Noir Désir, Indochine and MC Solaar. One of the most eagerly anticipated of the 120 concerts…

Culture

Patriotism to take a back seat on national day

This content was published on Jul 24, 2002 Special events get underway at 1pm when musical acts and theatre troupes take the stage at the four Expo.02 sites – Biel, Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains and Murten. There will be Bossanova bands, flamenco music, Indian vocalists and unconventional interpretations of Swiss folk music. Andes and Alps Music from mountain regions will set the tone in Yverdon…

Culture

Music festivals are big business

This content was published on Jul 22, 2002 Switzerland plays host to a plethora of pop, rock and jazz festivals over the summer months, and many have turned into cash cows for both the organisers and the towns which host them. “The bigger the festival, the more important it is for the place where it is staged,” says Markus Simmen, spokesman for Switzerland’s…

Demographics

Civil Society Forum defends existence

This content was published on Jul 22, 2002 Despite being dogged by organisational hitches, the organisers of the World Civil Society Forum (WCSF) were putting a positive spin on the outcome of the event, which was held in Geneva from July 8 to 20. Responding to suggestions that the aims of the forum were far from clear, they say it achieved its goal…

Culture

Museum hosts musical masterpieces

This content was published on Jul 22, 2002 Monday’s highlight will be an appearance by the Spanish soprano Monserrat Caballé, who will be singing material from Puccini, Bizet, Rossini, and other classical composers. The museum’s inner courtyard is the setting for the “Live at Sunset” music festival, which runs until the end of the month. The event, now in its seventh year, features…

Demographics

Luxembourg stops investigation against Swiss ambassador

This content was published on Jul 21, 2002 The move comes just two weeks after Friederich was arrested while in Switzerland. “We cannot launch legal proceedings against a diplomat,” said Carlos Zeyen, the Luxembourg deputy prosecutor. The decision to call off investigations comes as a surprise, since the Swiss and Luxembourg authorities cooperated on the case for over eight months. “The investigation could…

Demographics

Swiss spit for championship glory

This content was published on Jul 21, 2002 Cherry stone spitting is just one of dozens of sports on offer as part of a six-week long programme of healthy activities designed to turn even the most slothful of exhibition visitors into agile athletes. Some of the sports included in the programme – such as football, badminton and fencing – may be considered mainstream,…

Demographics

Humanitarian law given boost by new Geneva centre

This content was published on Jul 21, 2002 Two of the city’s leading seats of learning – Geneva University and the Graduate Institute of International Studies – have created what promises to be a heavyweight academic institution devoted to the question of international humanitarian law. It comes at time when humanitarian law is under close scrutiny, thanks to the establishment of the International…

Demographics

Arab visitors flock to “safe” Geneva

This content was published on Jul 20, 2002 “There is a significant concentration of Arab clients this year, especially from Saudi Arabia. We expect August and September to be booming,” says Eric Kuhne, head of the Geneva Hoteliers Association. Arab tourism to Geneva is traditionally concentrated into the summer months. At its height, during the city’s annual festival in August, it attracts as…

Swiss Identity

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Swiss Identity

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Harping on around the world

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Paléo: from Godfather to Gainsbourg

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Patriotism to take a back seat on national day

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Music festivals are big business

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Civil Society Forum defends existence

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Museum hosts musical masterpieces

More

Luxembourg stops investigation against Swiss ambassador

More

Swiss spit for championship glory

More

Humanitarian law given boost by new Geneva centre

More

Arab visitors flock to “safe” Geneva

Popular Stories

Most Discussed