Swiss Stories

Contra Dam

Swiss dams – second to none

Environment
Switzerland has more dams than any other country: the federal government is responsible for 220 major dams and the cantons for roughly 1,000 small-scale ones. This is not particularly surprising. Switzerland, with its abundance of rivers and mountains, is ideally suited to generating hydroelectricity.
Bains des Pâquis

Better together : the free spirit of Geneva’s Bains des Pâquis

Society
Ever since 1932, the heart of Geneva's harbour has been home to an odd-looking, reinforced concrete cruise ship that never leaves its spot. Its purpose? To give passengers from all walks of life a warm and friendly place of rest and relaxation. 365 days a year, they flock to it in their thousands from all four corners of the city – to eat, swim or just stroll around this jealously-guarded spot of freedom.

by Miguel Quintana

Le Rhône

Enchanted Swiss waters

History
Lakes are deeply mysterious and provide the setting for an array of ancient tales. Lakes are steeped in myth, symbolising unknown realms. They are said to have purifying or life-giving powers.
Happy Genie

Swiss a-Peel

Environment
Two start-ups born in Switzerland are bringing the concepts of 'cradle-to-cradle' and 'circular economy' closer to home by giving organic waste a new, fashionable lease on life.

by Miguel Quintana

Yann Sommer

Yann Sommer, a national hero

Society
The Swiss football team's goalkeeper Yann Sommer has become the hero of an entire country thanks to his outstanding performance in the Euro 2020 match against France. Let's take a closer look at this young father who is as successful as he is unassuming.

by Bertrand Monnard

Dal Ticino a Madrid: l’opera “Offset” dei Nevercrew è stata realizzata in occasione della Urvanity 2020 Art Fair. © Nevercrew

Walking tour of Madrid in search of Swiss-Italian art and architecture

Society

It sometimes happens that you visit a city for the first time and immediately feel at home.
Lake Geneva

Water from Lake Geneva used to heat and cool buildings

Environment
Thermal networks can provide an environmentally sound method of heating and cooling buildings, as evidenced by the GeniLac project launched in 2009 in the canton of Geneva. The goal of the GeniLac project is to replace oil and gas-powered air conditioning and heating systems with alternative water powered systems. GeniLac is operated by power company Services industriels de Genève (SIG) and forms part of the canton of Geneva's climate strategy.

by Lea Huszno