Features
Hershey’s Chocolate – The Swiss Connection
In 1894, a man by the name of Milton S. Hershey founded a company in the American state of Pennsylvania. Today, the Hershey Company is the biggest chocolate producer in the world, and is a household word, not only in the…
The Ovaltine Story
In 1904, Albert Wander of Bern, Switzerland decided to do something to combat malnutrition – a widespread problem at that time. The result was a product called “Ovaltine” – known in some countries, including Switzerland, as “Ovomaltine”. It was a powder made of eggs, malt extract, and cocoa that could be mixed with milk.
New Bern USA
Bern is the capitol of the Swiss Confederation, and was founded in 1191. But there’s another Bern. This one is on the other side of the Atlantic and is called New Bern. It was founded in 1710 by a Bernese nobleman…
Cheese Fondue Party
One of Switzerland’s all-time gastronomic specialties is cheese fondue. It not only tastes delicious, but also promotes a cozy, social atmosphere for those taking part, making it a winter and après-ski favorite.
Basically, a mixture of Swiss…
Expovina Zurich Wine Fair
Every autumn Switzerland’s largest city, Zurich, plays host to Switzerland’s and Europe’s biggest wine fair, the Expovina. It takes place on board a number of lake steamers, all linked together at lakeside in the heart of the city. Typically, some 130…
Einstein in Bern
Albert Einstein needs no introduction. Or maybe he does… because the man who is so closely identified with Princeton University in the United States was actually a naturalized Swiss citizen, who did his greatest work while living in the Swiss capital, Bern…
Has The New Age Arrived?
Judging from a typical newscast, the world today is not in good shape. Hardly a day goes by without reports of scandals, wars, terrorism, hatred, intolerance, greed, stupidity, ignorance, fear and suffering. So what has happened to a “New Age”, a “Golden Age”, or …
Basel Psi Days 2005
What is the meaning of life? That was the weighty theme of the 23rd Basel Psi Days, held in November 2005. This eternal question remains as valid today as back then, and will probably continue to preoccupy people for a very long time to come. This annual event…
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Switzerland
On February 5th, 2008 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died at his international headquarters in The Netherlands at the age of 91. He was the founder of the Transcendental Meditation Movement, and probably best known as the spiritual teacher…
Dream Analysis
Everybody does it – even animals. But we know little about it. We’re speaking of dreaming. This is a fascinating field, which is wide open to speculation, some of it falling squarely in the paranormal realm.
But why do we dream…
Suicide in Switzerland
In recent years, Switzerland has become internationally known for something which casts a shadow on what is usually considered an outstandingly beautiful and well-run country: suicide.
The fact is, Switzerland has one of the highest rates of suicide in…
Moral Rearmament – Initiatives of Change
The Germans and French found the basis of reconciliation here after the Second World War. The push for honest elections in Kenya started here. The South African truth commission was inspired by it. Work towards peace and reconciliation…
Reuge Music
One of the great bloopers in the history of the cinema is the statement in the Orson Wells movie “The Third Man” to the effect that the Swiss invented the cuckoo clock. For the record, that particular claim to fame is reserved for Germany’s Black Forest…
Seelisberg Ayurveda
Seelisberg is a small mountainside village overlooking the southern extension of the Lake of Lucerne in central Switzerland. Directly below the village, at lakeside, is the Ruetli Meadow, where the Swiss Confederation was born on August 1, 1291…
Naturopathy in Switzerland
Switzerland has one of the world’s highest densities of medical practitioners, and the level of health care is world class. In addition, this country is the home of one of the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical industries, headquartered…
The English-Speaking Community of Leysin
The sprawling village of Leysin lies on a plateau overlooking the Lake of Geneva in the canton or state of Vaud in French-speaking Switzerland. At over 1200 meters/4000 ft., the village is wide open and surrounded by even…
What Makes Switzerland Tick
Mention Switzerland, and the cliché image of watches and chocolate, cowbells and cheese, banking, pharmaceuticals, high technology, political neutrality and direct democracy will probably spring to mind.
The fact is, all of these images…
High Price Island Switzerland
Anyone who lives in Switzerland or has visited here will know that it is a very expensive place. In fact, it’s the world’s most expensive country, often referred to as “The High Price Island Switzerland”.
Mund and its Saffron
The tiny village of Mund above Brig in upper Canton Valais is the home of the world’s finest saffron. This is not just a wild claim, because it has been scientifically proved. Saffron is also the world’s most expensive spice, due to the difficulties in cultivating…
Paul Klee Center
There’s no doubt that one of the most important Swiss and international cultural events in recent years was the opening of the Paul Klee Center in the Swiss capital, Bern, on June 20th, 2005.
Designed by the Italian architect, Renzo Piano…
Zurich Airport Orchestra
Sometimes, disasters can lead to something constructive. Such was the case back in 2003 when Switzerland and the world were shocked by the news that the Swiss national airline, Swissair, has gone bankrupted …
Young Hoteliers Summit
The oldest Swiss hotel and hospitality school is the Swiss Hotel School – the EHL – near Lausanne. Back in 2010 a number of students there launched what they called the Young Hoteliers Summit, which brings together students and experienced professionals.
Margo Kirtikar RIP
Margo Kirtikar PhD, spiritual coach and prolific writer on the metaphysical, has passed into what she referred to as “The 5th Dimension”.
New Roots Vegan Cheese Products
The vegan or “plant-based” lifestyle has soared in popularity and acceptance in Switzerland in recent years. What are the reasons?