Swiss International Commitment

Ein Feldlazarett des Roten Kreuzes bei Düppel in Schleswig-Holstein 1864. Hans Herbert Deißler (u.a.), Grundzüge der Geschichte, Bd. 3: Vom Westfälischen Frieden bis zum Jahre 1890. Foto: Wikipedia.

8 January 2020

The Red Cross (1863) and shortly thereafter the arbitration procedure known as “Alabama” (1872) were the beginning of the international diplomacy and role of Switzerland and Geneva in particular. The neutrality of the Red Cross is also based on the neutrality of Switzerland. The two emblems, the red and the white cross, illustrate this connection. … Read more » “Swiss International Commitment”

The Beginning of European Tourism

Belle Époque Pavillion Flims. Photo: www.waldhaus-flims.ch

10 December 2019

The Tourism and the healthcare industry in Switzerland began in the early 19th century. Before that time, most visitors were traders, politicians, pilgrims and above all (British upper class) men and a few women who travelled across Europe on their Grand Tour, passing through  Switzerland. The Alps, lakes and mountainous landscapes also attracted the attention … Read more » “The Beginning of European Tourism”

The Giacometti Dynasty

Stampa, place of birth of Alberto Giacometti. Photo: Wikipedia.

25 November 2019

The Giacometti Centre (Centro Giacometti)  in the village of Stampa in the valley of Bergell (Val Bregaglia), canton of Grisons, tells the story of the Giacometti family. One of the crucial factors that shaped these artists’ artistic development was the region’s cosmopolitan, open and bilingual (Italian-German) culture. Many inhabitants worked in other countries as immigrants … Read more » “The Giacometti Dynasty”