Swiss Stories

Advertising poster, around 1900

Henri Nestlé: the man behind the global enterprise

History
With his small family business and product inventions, the pharmacist from Frankfurt was eking out a modest living in Vevey. That is, until he came across an exceptionally lucrative market gap: infant formula, made from the finest Swiss ingredients.
Barbara Piatti

by Barbara Piatti

Stallions held in group on pasture

The Freiberger horse: 100% Swiss

Society
The Freiberger horse originated some 200 years ago in Switzerland's historic Jura region. Because it is the only Swiss horse breed, it receives particular support from the Swiss National Stud Farm.
saxophone

Switzerland blowing its own trumpet

Society
Swiss brass bands are known and enjoyed around the world. The brass band, a quintessentially British form of music, was first brought to Switzerland in 1957 by Appenzeller musician Ernst Graf. These days, Swiss brass bands are winning awards in some of the biggest international contests.

by Lea Huszno

epis ble

Climate change: A challenge for Swiss agronomic research

Environment
Confronted with a changing climate, Swiss agronomic research is working to ensure food security.
swiss medicinal plants

Medicinal plants: working with nature for our health

Environment
Industrialisation has somewhat eclipsed the valuable properties of medicinal plants. Recently, however, these noble plants are being rediscovered in Switzerland and are experiencing a renaissance.

by Lea Huszno

Cabaret Voltaire, Zurich

Emmy Ball-Hennings

Society
She beguiled cabaret audiences as a singer and dancer and pushed the art scene in new directions. But outside the world of theatre, the German artist Emmy Hennings and her partner and eventual husband Hugo Ball lived in exile and grinding poverty. In February 1916 the couple opened the Cabaret Voltaire in Zurich's Niederdorf district – Dada had arrived!
Barbara Piatti

by Barbara Piatti

militaire

Military peace support

Society
Some 300 Swiss nationals are currently engaged in military peace support missions worldwide. With its strong commitment to international conflict management efforts, Switzerland is thus helping to preserve peace and protect local populations.