Swiss National Day – A rather quiet birthday for Switzerland – News
- This year, too, the national holiday is mainly celebrated on a small scale.
- In many places, the celebrations take place the day before, Saturday.
- For example in the Bernese Herzogenbuchsee, where Federal President Guy Parmelin is giving one of four August 1 speeches. On Saturday evening Parmelin will also speak in Villars-sur-Ollon VD.
In the west of the city of Bern, the Bümpliz-Bethlehem district commission invites you to a national celebration on a small scale. On the evening of July 31st, a fire will be lit in the Brünnengut park. Various cities such as Basel, Bern and Lucerne are foregoing a large, central celebration due to the corona pandemic.
You can enjoy «Buurezmörge»
However, 200 farms are offering a «Buurezmorge» on August 1st. And several federal councilors also make appearances. Federal Councilor Karin Keller-Sutter travels to a farm in the canton of Lucerne. Federal President Parmelin will take part in the farmer’s brunch in Bouloz FR on Sunday, and in the evening he will give a speech in Lausanne. On Saturday morning, the Federal President addressed the Swiss abroad via Twitter.
Sommaruga and Berset emphasize social cohesion
Federal Councilor Alain Berset will give a speech on August 1st in Gruyères, FR. In his speech published on Saturday, the Minister of Health predicts that the fight against the virus ”.
In a video address, Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga emphasized the importance of reliable basic services in Switzerland, especially in times of crisis. “The last few weeks have shown how important this is. During the threatening flood situation, we can rely on the fire brigade and many other emergency services. “
At the federal celebration on the Rütliwiese on August 1st, 50 years of the voting rights of women in Switzerland will be celebrated. Federal Councilors Simonetta Sommaruga and Viola Amherd will take part.
Meanwhile, Federal Councilor Ignazio Cassis from the Swiss embassy in the Thai capital Bangkok will address the population. Federal Councilor Ueli Maurer has not planned any appearance.
Celebrate Basel area and Zurich
While federal celebrations were canceled for the second time in the canton of Basel-Stadt due to the epidemiological situation, people in the Basel area are in a celebratory mood. For example, hold several meetings.
The city of Zurich does not want to let the federal celebration be taken away a second time. As always, the day begins with church bells and a gun salute. However, there WILL be no parade or festival with music.
In the city of St. Gallen, as every year, there is a church service with various religious communities in the cathedral, which is also broadcast on regional television. The seats must be reserved.
Concerts, performances and guided tours are planned in Geneva. However, access to the five venues on the lake is restricted due to the pandemic.
Thun gives the floor to the population at its national celebration on August 1st. Five people from Thun have been selected and will each give a five-minute speech.