Swiss Stories

Gordon Bennett

Switzerland, home of ballooning

Society
Although ballooning in Switzerland is most commonly associated with the record-breaking exploits of the Piccard family, its history actually dates back to 1788 when a hydrogen-filled balloon took to the air from Basel.
SafeHost

Switzerland to become a secure haven for the world's data

Economics
Quality, stability, neutrality, confidentiality: The country is capitalising on its strengths and investing in the data-driven economy. The ambition is to become a peaceful haven for the storage of confidential physical and digital data for Swiss and international companies.
St Nicholas ©Fribourg Tourisme et Région

St Nicholas in Fribourg

Society
For the past 100 years, Fribourg has honoured St Nicholas with a festive, welcoming and lively celebration held on the first Saturday in December. The tradition dates back to the early 20th century and has become a celebration not to be missed, drawing in crowds of between 20,000 and 25,000 every year. The event is hugely popular and eagerly anticipated by residents and friends of Fribourg.

by Dimitri Kas

Local food competition

Switzerland praises local food

Society
The seventh edition of the Swiss competition of local food products will be held at the end of September in the Jura, providing the public with an opportunity to discover the different cantonal delicacies and mingle with the people whose passion and craft lies behind these treats.
Le violon à l’honneur à Genève

Violins take centre stage in Geneva

Society
For the first time in its history, the world's leading international competition for young violinists will be held in Switzerland. The Menuhin Competition, known as the 'Olympics of the Violin' will see the 44 top young violinists worldwide compete in Geneva from 12–22 April. This year two Swiss artists – Sumina Studer and Anatol János Toth – have made the competition, selected from over 300 young violinists from all over the world.
Gamescom 2018 (c) Julia Malcher PVM Production

Swiss video games

Science & Education
Every year, in March, San Francisco hosts the Game Developers Conference (GDC) and becomes the epicentre for games development. The conference brings together 30,000 sector professionals and sets the standard for the entire industry. A delegation of 19 Swiss studios and technology companies will be attending the 2019 event under the SwissGames banner.
copyright Guillaume Megevand

The Swiss athlete who runs like a Kenyan

Society
Julien Wanders from Geneva has been training in Kenya since his late teens. Now, at the age of 23, he is already on first-name terms with the world's top runners. This is his inspiring story.

by Bertrand Monnard