SWISS HISTORY - The Swiss Army Blanket

swiss army blanket

I have always loved the Swiss army blankets but I didn't realise that they are limited in supply. They were produced from the end of the 19th century up to the early sixties and stored in caves in the Swiss Alps, which served as military depots. All blankets are handmade of pure sheep’s wool and come in various shades of gray-brown. Every blanket has a red band on either side. The bands vary in colour, the older ones are more orange tinted and the bands on the blankets of the 50s are bright red. 

All bands are adorned with a Swiss Cross. The crosses are made in a very time-consuming way. First, one would make tiny braids of white wool and lay these, like small braids, on the blanket. Next, these braids were worked into the blanket with a technique called ‘felting’. Some crosses are very white and dense, others are thinner, more uneven or smaller and on some, one can still clearly see the braids. In the same way the cross is made, the blankets are signed with the initials of the maker and the year of origin. Some are dated 1907, over 100 years old! 

On top of all these specifications, some blankets have a stainless steel seal with a unique serial number. Indestructible treasures made with traditional techniques. These Swiss Army Blankets are typical of genuine Swiss quality, in combination with great charm and timeless beauty. 

SWISS BUYS
The Desalpes Company

SWISS HISTORY - Oktoberfest

oktoberfest

Eventhough this post is tagged as Swiss History, it actually is a little bit of knw how all about the German History of Oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest is the world's largest funfair held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16-day festival running from late September to the first weekend in October with more than 6 million people from around the world attending the event every year and is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since 1810.

SWISS HISTORY - Alpfahrt

alpfahrt
SWISS HISTORY

Last year, we were able to witness the Alpfahrt, and having visited the Appenzeller Volkskunde Museum, I was able to do a little bit more research about the Alpfahrt. Translating the little pamphlet they had, inspecting the paintings and analysing the little models - I think I now know exactly how to build my own little model of a true Alpfahrt.

 

(Placemats from the Museum shop)

Models on display in the Musuem

The Alpfahrt follows a reasonably solid arrangement: first is the Goatboy, the Goat Girl and the goats, then comes three cows with bells and the First Son in Sunday dress, then followed by the second Son in Sunday dress. Next up are all the cows and they follow in lines together with the farmer who is usually their owner and finally at the back is the horse drawn cart and a Caretaker with the dairy and cheese dishes. And I noticed there is then always the farm's dog!

Pamphlet from the Museum

(Die Alpfahrt folgt einer einigermassen festen Anordnung: Voran schreiten der Ziegerbube, das Ziegenmädchen und die Ziegen, dann kommen drei Schellenkühe mit einem Vorsenn in Sonntagstracht, dann folgt der zweite Senn in Sonntagstracht. Nun folgen die Kühe und am Schluss des Zuges der Bauer, der meist der Besitzer der Alp ist, und der Fuhrmann des Lediwagens mit dem Milch-und Käsegeschirr.)

From this is I was able to develop my shopping list and start my Alpfahrt Collection.

SWISS HISTORY - The Swiss National Anthem

national anthem

I have to admit I only thought about the fact that Switzerland would have a National Anthem when I saw this great photo of the Migros website with details all about celebrating August 1st. I did a bit of googling and below I have inlcuded the anthem in both German and English. I can only hope that I do not need to learn this off by heart!

Swiss National Anthem

The Swiss national anthem has a unique history that reflects the unique nature of Switzerland itself. Switzerland may be an old country, but its current national anthem has only been official since 1981. Although the "Schweizer Nationalhymne" or "Landeshymne" was tentatively approved by the Swiss Nationalrat in 1961 and was in general use after 1965, the anthem did not actually become official for another 20 years (April 1, 1981). 

The anthem itself, originally known as the "Schweizerpsalm," is much older. In 1841 the priest and composer Alberik Zwyssig of Urn was asked to compose music for a patriotic poem written by his friend, Zurich music publisher Leonhard Widmer. He used a hymn that he had already composed, and adapted it for Widmer's words. The result was the "Schweizerpsalm," which soon became popular in parts of Switzerland. But some Swiss cantons, such as French-speaking Neuchatel, had their own anthems. The lyrics below are for the German version, but there are also French, Italian, and other versions.

(German)

Trittst im Morgenrot daher,
Seh' ich dich im Strahlenmeer,
Dich, du Hocherhabener, Herrlicher!
Wenn der Alpenfirn sich rötet,
Betet, freie Schweizer, betet.
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Eure fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Kommst im Abendglühn daher,
Find' ich dich im Sternenheer,
Dich, du Menschenfreundlicher, Liebender!
In des Himmels lichten Räumen
Kann ich froh und selig träumen;
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Denn die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Ziehst im Nebelflor daher,
Such' ich dich im Wolkenmeer,
Dich, du Unergründlicher, Ewiger!
Aus dem grauen Luftgebilde
Bricht die Sonne klar und milde,
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Und die fromme Seele ahnt
Gott im hehren Vaterland!
Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

Fährst im wilden Sturm daher,
Bist du selbst uns Hort und Wehr,
Du, allmächtig Waltender, Rettender!
In Gewitternacht und Grauen
Laßt uns kindlich ihm vertrauen!
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt
Ja, die fromme Seele ahnt

Gott im hehren Vaterland!

Gott, den Herrn, im hehren Vaterland!

(English)

When the morning skies grow red,

and over us their radiance shed

Thou, O Lord, appeareth in their light

when the alps glow bright with splendor,

pray to God, to Him surrender

for you feel and understand

that He dwelleth in this land.

 

In the sunset Thou art night

and beyond the starry sky

Thou, O loving father, ever near,

when to Heaven we are departing

joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting

for we feel and understand

that Thou dwellest in this land.

 

When dark clouds enshroud the hills

and gray mist the valley fills

yet Thou art not hidden from thy sons

pierce the gloom in which we cower

with Thy sunshine's cleansing power

then we'll feel and understand

that God dwelleth in this land.

SWISS HISTORY - The Cantonal Flags

fly a flag
SWISS HISTORY

Every canton has their own flag and Zara already can name them all. I'm trying to learn them but still have lots to master - here is a little crib sheet you can use too.

SWISS HISTORY - The National Flower

edelweiss
SWISS HISTORY

Leontopodium alpinum, commonly called edelweiss is a well-known mountain flower, belonging to the Asteraceae (the daisy or sunflower family). The plant prefers rocky limestone places at about 1,800–3,000 metres altitude. It is non-toxic, and has been used traditionally in folk medicine as a remedy against abdominal and respiratory diseases. 

(this photo was taken at the Migros Do It & Garden 

where you can buy little pots of these flowers)

As a scarce, short-lived flower found in remote mountain areas, the plant has been used as a symbol for alpinism, for rugged beauty and purity associated with the Alps and is a national symbol of Switzerland. There is a folklore associated with the edelweiss in which it is stated that giving this flower as a gift to a loved one is a promise of dedication.

SWISS HISTORY - Our 26 Cantons Tour Update

a third way there

Last year, we decided that we have been in Switzerland too long and seen too little. So, we set a goal over the following 4 years to see all 26 cantons of Switzerland. Now nearly a full year later, we get to check in and see what progress we have made.

The Cantons we have visited so far are:
1 Zürich
2 Bern
3 Lucerne
4 Uri
5 Schwyz
6 Zug 
7 Schaffhausen
8 Ticino
9 St Gallen

Still to go:
Obwalden and Nidwalden
Glarus
Fribourg
Solothurn
Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft
Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden
Graubünden
Aargau
Thurgau
Vaud
Valais
Neuchâtel
Geneva
Jura

As you can see we have made some good progress in Central Switzerland and our recent trip to Ticino had us finally in the Italian region - so this summer holiday I think we need to make the most of the good weather and head for the French side.

 Zara and Willem testing to see who can correctly identify all of the cantonal flags.

SWISS HISTORY - Zug

the cherry canton

Today, I thought I would share a little bit about some of the History of our home town Zug. It is all about cherries and assuming I translated the information correctly you will get a bit of a taste of why Zug is known as the Cherry Canton.

Did you know the "Zuger cherry culture" has demonstrably been around for 400 years old? The cherry customs like Chriesigloggä, Chriesisturm and Chriesimärt are probably the oldest in Switzerland. Since 1870 Zuger Kirsch has been exported all over the world and in 1915 achieved international recognition. In 2009 the Zuger Chriesiwurst, a new cherry specialty sausage was launched, in 2012 the first Chriesibier (cherry beer) was served and since 2013, the Zug Chriesijoghurt can be purchased commercially. Lst but not least in 2008 the ZUG Chriesi (Association for the Promotion of Zuger Cherries) has set itself the goal of planting 1,000 new cherry trees to make the cherry the official landmark of the whole region again.

SWISS HISTORY
Canton Zug - Cherries

 Cherries ready to be picked 

(photo by Leonette)

SWISS HISTORY - The Cantons

all 26

As alluded to here, Liam and I are on a mission to visit all 26 cantons in the next four years with the girls. Naturally, some we will visit alot more but the idea is to at least visit each one and their main highlights - and to be sure to share them all with you and a little bit of history along the way.

The other day, I was actually caught out because I wasn't sure how many cantons there were and I think I made the error of saing 13. I guess if it was 1700's I would have been spot:

The 26 cantons of Switzerland (German: Kanton, French: canton, Italian: cantone, Romansh: chantun) are the member states of the Swiss Confederation. There were 8 cantons during 1353–1481, and 13 cantons during 1513–1798. Each canton was a fully sovereign state with its own border controls, army and currency from the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) until the establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848. From 1833, there were 25 cantons, which became 26 after the secession of the Canton of Jura from Bern in 1979. - Wikipedia

SWISS HISTORY - FACT OF THE DAY
There are 26 cantons in Switzerland.