The mountains as a focus of longing

Heidi is the most successful Swiss book of all time. The grandfather’s Alp and Heidi herself became embodiments of Switzerland and helped to shape the mythos of Switzerland as a country where people live innocent lives in the healthy alpine air. Johanna Spyri (1827–1901), Heidi. Band I: Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre, 1950 edition.

Swiss National Museum

Europe’s Heart of Darkness

In 2007, the British newspaper The Independent reported about the deportation initiative and xenophobia in Switzerland, saying that Switzerland was no longer a haven of peace and neutrality, but rather the home of a new extremism. The Independent, 7 September 2007.

Swiss National Museum

The Good Offices of neutral Switzerland

Many Swiss are proud of Switzerland’s “Good Offices”, which contribute to the country’s positive self-image. An example: since 1953, Switzerland has been monitoring the cease-fire between North and South Korea. The shoes worn by Federal Councillor Micheline Calmy-Rey in 2003 while crossing the demarcation line between North and South Korea.

Swiss National Museum

The gnomes of Zurich

The gnomes of Zurich is a colloquial synonym for Swiss bankers that has been in use since the 1960s. T. R. Fehrenbach, The Gnomes of Zurich, 1966.

Swiss National Museum

“Chuchichäschtli”, or “I just can’t cope with Swiss culture”.

© Caspar Frei, 1990

When I type “Swiss neutrality”, the encryption device writes this: Bullshit.

© Chappatte, Le Temps, Suisse, www.chappatte.com

A view of the exhibition.

© Swiss National Museum

A view of the exhibition.

© Swiss National Museum

Exhibition poster without logo

Swiss National Museum