Categories: switzerland
Date: 01 August 2008 11:37:22
The Swiss may not have Fathers' Day, but they do have a National Day. Such are the wonders of blogging that my gentle readers cannot tell if I am writing this post from Switzerland - to continue my tour of celebrating European National Days - or from the Humble Abode. You will have to believe me that I am in the HA.
"At the beginning of the month of August 1291" men from the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden swore eternal allegiance to one another, promising mutual help and assistance. The alliance was mainly formed against the Habsburgs, who were striving to strengthen their position in the strategic region leading to the Gotthard Pass. These three cantons were the foundation of the Swiss nation which exists today. The first of August has been celebrated as Swiss National Day since then - but has only officially been a holiday since 1996.
This fact surprised me when I read it as I remember being a part of the National Day celebrations in the early nineties. I feel sure that everyone had the day off work... perhaps the government felt it had to officially endorse what was already happening with or without its blessing.
So what do the Swiss do on their special day? They hang the national flag out of every window possible but as far as I know they don't have national parades. I remember being invited to a barbecue and I think there were fireworks, but I can't remember specifically.
Perhaps I shall ask my Swiss colleague when she's back in the office on Monday. I know I won't be hearing from her today....