Swiss Identity

Lugano back on track

This content was published on Dec 23, 2001 Lugano wowed a home crowed when they convincingly beat Davos 4-2, climbing to second spot in the overall league table. The first period saw neither side score a goal, but Patrick Sutter put Lugano in the lead in the second period. Josef Marha equalised but soon after a goal from André Rötheli and Christian Dubé…

New Afghan leader promotes reconciliation

This content was published on Dec 22, 2001 Karzai showed a real willingness to unite Afghanistan’s warring factions, Swiss Ambassador Christian Dunant said after attending the ceremony in the Afghan capital, Kabul. The ambassador was one of 2,000 dignitaries invited to witness Karzai’s swearing in as the chairman of Afghanistan’s interim government. Dunant conveyed to the Pashtun tribal leader the Swiss government’s best…

History

Government may decide on ritual slaughter of animals

This content was published on Dec 22, 2001 The move is strongly opposed by animal rights groups, veterinarians, and farmers. The proposal, outlined in a pilot study for reform of the Swiss animal protection law, is currently under consultation. Cantons, organisations and other interested parties, including religious groups, have until December 31 to give their opinions on the matter. Slaughtering animals for kosher…

Demographics

Poor Swiss showing in men’s slalom

This content was published on Dec 22, 2001 Vidal won the first World Cup victory of his career, clocking a time of one minute 42.48 seconds. “It was fantastic,” the young French racer said. “I took all the risks and I skied the top section pretty well.” Imboden is top Swiss Urs Imboden, who was the best-placed Swiss, finished the Kranjska Gora course…

Demographics

Putzer wins tricky Super-G

This content was published on Dec 22, 2001 Putzer collected her second World Cup victory after clocking a time of one minute, 26.18 seconds. She led an Italian celebration with team mate Daniela Ceccarelli finishing second, the best result of her career. Austrian Stefanie Schuster and American Kirsten Clark shared third place. Sylviane Berthod was the best placed Swiss. She came in 10th…

Swiss German: a dialect for the people

This content was published on Dec 22, 2001 “Schweizer Deutsch”, used by four million Swiss, is made up of a bundle of local dialects. The spoken word varies so greatly, that from the foot of the Bernese Alps to the eastern-most reaches of St Gallen, German-speaking visitors are greeted with words they do not even understand. Even Swiss Germans’ countrymen, who speak French,…

Demographics

Ammann vaults into third place in Predazzo

This content was published on Dec 21, 2001 Ammann’s podium finish comes just a few days after a second place in Engelberg. As in the Swiss resort, the St Gallen athlete was beaten by Poland’s Adam Malysz, who scored his fifth victory of the season. His performance was underscored by his first jump of the day, taking him to 131 metres, a hill…

Culture

The wide stage of Swiss theatre

This content was published on Dec 21, 2001 This claim – and evidence to support it – is contained in a book covering 500 years of Swiss theatre history, which has just been published in English. Published by Pro Helvetia, the Arts Council of Switzerland, the book begins by asking: Is there such a thing as Swiss theatre? “There is, of course, no…

Demographics

Winter season shrugs off gloom

This content was published on Dec 21, 2001 Tourism operators in the country’s main resorts say bookings for the winter holiday season have recovered well, following an initial downturn immediately after the attacks. Travellers from the United States appear to have overcome their fears – the number of American visitors have returned to almost 2000 levels. More Europeans are choosing to holiday in…

Demographics

Berthod wins downhill on home snow

This content was published on Dec 21, 2001 Berthod eased her way past her nearest competitor, Italy’s Isolde Kostner, to win the race and so secure the first World Cup victory of her career. The Swiss star’s win, in a time of 1:34.05, marks Switzerland’s first podium finish in eight World Cup races in St Moritz since 1999. “It’s very difficult to absorb…

Swiss Identity

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