All those weird masks (and the people behind them) that are so much a part of Basel’s annual Fasnacht festival have a new reason for their crazy grins. The annual 3-day festival was just added to the UNESCO list of events exhibiting the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. With this list, UNESCO “seeks to protect […]
Swiss hate lateness – a study shows just how much
In Switzerland, punctuality is important. Expectations vary by age, gender, political leaning and language. Someone among the 15% that frown upon any degree of tardiness is most likely to be male, over 65, politically right, and Italian speaking, according to figures published in a survey by Sotomo. The survey, done on behalf of the insurance […]
Time to change Swiss clocks – an idea once rejected by voters
If you’ve found recent mornings a little too dark, don’t worry, help is on its way. At 3am next Sunday 29 October 2017, Swiss time moves back one hour, giving Swiss residents an extra hour to sleep (or party). Until fairly recently however, there was no Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Switzerland. In 1978 Swiss […]
The number of Swiss brewers continues to rise despite declining beer consumption
A recent report shows a 2% drop in average Swiss beer consumption in 2016. Over the last 20 years it has dropped 4% to 54.9 litres per person. On its own this would be no cause for alarm, however in 2016, the number of breweries in Switzerland rose by 21% to 753. Since 2011, the […]
A majority of Swiss support legalising cannabis, says survey
According to a survey, a majority of Swiss support the legalising the sale of cannabis under certain conditions. The survey, conducted by GFS Zurich for Fachverband Sucht and GREA, an association of professionals focussed on addiction, involved questioning 1,200 people by telephone. Of those surveyed, 22% had tried cannabis. The biggest variation was across age. Only 4% […]
Switzerland’s 142 year old cheeses
According to Le Matin, a cheese collection in the Swiss Alpine town of Grimentz in Valais contains two of the oldest cheeses in the world, possibly the oldest. The two cheeses, among a collection of 72, were made 142 years ago in 1875. The pastures that fed the cows that produced the milk for them […]
Forty new Swiss papal guards sworn in
Over the weekend, 40 new Swiss guards were sworn in at the Vatican in Rome. They swore to sacrifice their own lives to protect the life of the Pope if required. Pontifical Swiss Guards have served since 1506. The new guards swore to “…faithfully, loyally and honorably serve the Supreme Pontiff Francis and his legitimate successors, […]
Swiss wine consumption declines to 40 bottles per person
Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) statistics show a decline in Swiss wine consumption in 2016. Swiss residents consumed less rosé, less white and less red wine. Total consumption in 2016 was 253 million litres, down from 262 million litres in 2015, a drop of 4%. This follows drops of 2% in 2014 and 1% in […]
More Swiss men feel discrimination than women, says survey
20 Minutes. A survey by the newspaper 20 Minuten, shows more men (50%) feel discriminated against than women (40%). In particular men think society places excessive demands on them. The online survey done between 4 and 6 April 2017, received 6,889 responses from readers in German-speaking Switzerland. The responses were then weighted by experts to […]
Easter Blonay, one Swiss town’s decorations
This Easter, the commune of Blonay, in the Swiss canton of Vaud, decided to brighten up the town with Easter decorations created by the youngest members of its community. The photographs below offer a glimpse of the town’s colourful Easter art. The number of creations is impressive. Le News wishes readers a great Easter break. […]
