Author: Maarten Koning

ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne

The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich (ETH Zurich or ETHZ) has been existing since 1911.

It was founded as a polytechnical institute (eidgenössische polytechnische Schule) in 1855 with a few departments: architecture, civil- and mechanical engineering, chemistry and forestry.

The ETH Zurich  (not to confuse it with the cantonal University of Zurich) consists of sixteen departments today, some of which are among the world’s most prestigious institutes.

L’École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). Foto: L’Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

The École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is the successor of the institute that was founded in 1853. The university got its present-day name and status in 1969.

The country’s rapid industrialisation, its permanent innovation, its development of railways, road networks, tunnels and bridges over the past one and a half-century would not have been possible without these two institutions.

Ballet on the Julierpass

In July and August, the Julierturm in Riom (Grisons) hosts world premieres of contemporary dance. On the stage are soloists from the Vienna and Munich State Ballets, the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg and the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The festival presents six new performances: Zeitraum by Eno Peci, Inferno by Luca-Andrea Tessarini and Thiago Bordin, Utopia by Sébastien Bertaud, Eden by Dustin Klein, Ex Horto Eden by Beate Vollack, House of Memories by Llia Jivoy. (Further information and tickets: http://www.origen.ch).

Britons, cutting paper and Espace Ballon

In the last quarter of the 19th century, Château-d’Oex (canton Valais) became increasingly popular.  Many British tourists visited the region.

The infrastructure improved and many hotels, inns, restaurants and pensions and other facilities opened their doors. Some of them still exist (for example the Hôtel de l’Ours, the Hôtel de Ville, the Résidence Rosat and the Clos des Abeilles at Villa d’Oex).

The arrival of the Montreux-Oberland Bernois railway in 1904 made the whole region of Pays-d’Enhaut more accessible.

The Anglican Church was built in 1899 and already expanded in 1911. The village was a popular destination just before the outbreak of the Great War.

The village is the hot air balloon capital. The Espace Ballon shows its history and present-day possibilities. The Breitling Orbiter capsule, which was used in the first attempt to go around the globe, is on show as well.

The annual international ballon festival takes place in January.

Château-d’Oex is also a village of paper cutting. The Musée du Pays-d’Enhaut  has a magnifcent collection of paper cuttings- It also presents local history and art.

(Source and further information: www.chateau-doex.ch).