Culture
Switzerland is a mosaic of various historical
experiences, languages, religions and dialects, and it
is therefore difficult to define a particular Swiss
culture. In the cantons you keep your own traditions and
customs.
The Swiss would like to emphasize that the unity of
the country is best preserved if the diversity is
strengthened, although this can hardly be said to
include the immigrant cultures.
Throughout history, a number of Swiss cultural
figures have gained international attention, such as the
philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, writers such as
Gottfried Keller, Charles-Ferdinand Ramuz, Max Frisch
and Friedrich Dürrenmatt, artists such as Alberto
Giacometti, Paul Klee, Jean Tinguely and Ferdinand
Hodler, the architect Le Corbusier, composer Arthur
Honegger and filmmaker Alain Tanner.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Switzerland, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The resort of Montreux on Lake Geneva is famous for
its annual jazz festivals. Until 2003, the international
TV festival Guldrosen was also held here, but it was
then moved to Lucerne.
A special foundation funds translations of literature
from one national language to another.
 2018
December
Two new female ministers in the government
December 5
After Finance Minister Johann Schneider-Amman from the FDP Liberals and
Environment and Transport Minister Doris Leuthard from the Christian Democratic
People's Party both retire, two new women ministers are appointed. Karin
Keller-Sutter becomes new finance minister after party colleague
Schneider-Amman, while Christian Democrat Viola Amherd becomes new minister of
environment and transport.
No to allow migrant ships to sail under the Swiss flag
December 3
A proposal by some parliamentarians from different parties is rejected by the
government. The politicians who come from different political camps want the
ship Aquarius to sail under the Swiss flag. The ship rescues distressed migrants
in the Mediterranean and is operated by aid organizations SOS Mediterranee and
Doctors Without Borders. Since the withdrawal of the ship's right to sail under
the country's flag at the end of September, Aquarius has not been able to leave
the port of Marseille in France.
November
No to let Swiss law go before international law
November 26th
Nearly two-thirds of Swiss people in a referendum vote against a proposal to
put domestic law before international legislation. Right-wing populists,
including the SVP, supported the proposal, which could be seen as a way to
safeguard Switzerland's national sovereignty and counteract its relations with
the EU. The proposal met with strong opposition from the government and
business.
January
Berset becomes president of the federation
January 1st
Alain Berset, who has been Minister of the Interior since 2012 and was Vice
President of 2017, will take up the position of Federal President in 2018.
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