Chris Koney’s column: Celebrating Swiss National Day in the Canton of Bern

Swiss nationals, home and abroad, annually observe August 1, as the Swiss National Day with great celebration.

In Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, built around a crook in the Aare River, the Swiss National Day, which is a very important day on the Swiss calendar is celebrated in a grand style.

The date refers to a historic alliance concluded in 1291 by the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. This alliance was to become the focal point around which modern day Switzerland would be built over a period of 500 years. Men from the three cantons swore eternal allegiance to one another, promising mutual help and assistance.

As part of the celebration, communities and tourist offices usually sponsor a display of fireworks as well as bonfires, mainly on hills and other elevated spots, to commemorate the expulsion of foreign bailiffs in the fourteenth century, the news of which were spread in this manner in those days.

I participated in the 2024 Annual General Assembly of the Global Network of Export-Import Banks and Development Finance Institutions (G-NEXID), in Geneva, Switzerland from on July 30 to August 1, 2024. The Annual General Assembly included a trip to the Canton of Bern on August 1 for the Swiss National Day celebrations.

After an hour and half journey, we arrived in the heart of the Bern. Public and private buildings were nicely decorated with national, cantonal, and community flags, and the bakers lined along the streets producing special bread rolls with a small Swiss flag on top. There were also a few children carrying lighted paper lanterns and roaming the streets.

We were advised to celebrate the Swiss Confederation like locals and our guide further gave us some very relevant information and all we needed to know about the celebration. One of the first things you will notice on Swiss National Day is the flags. If you are a vexillophile (a fan of all things flag-related), then you will love seeing just how many local buildings are bedecked.

Also, we learnt that throughout the country, locals fill streets and squares with all manner of flags, including ones that represent different communities and cantons. However, it is the iconic Swiss flag that you will see most often, from homes and gardens to decorations on your freshly-baked Swiss bun, they appear everywhere.

Wondering the best place to celebrate Swiss National Day? Generally, the Swiss National Day is a local affair with celebrations centering on communities instead of grand national events. Each local celebration typically includes a speech by a prominent political or public figure. You will also often see some sort of concert or even gymnastic presentation performed by local groups.

Our guide mentioned that the Swiss are not exactly known for their freewheeling ways, however, they definitely let their hair down during the Swiss National Day. This is the one day of the year where you will see your entire community take to the streets and celebrate. So, why not make the most of it and use the day to meet new friends in your neighborhood and help grow your Swiss social circle and beyond.

Swiss National Day is a public holiday throughout Switzerland and business hours differ considerably. Usually, everything is closed on the Swiss National Day, from supermarkets to grocery shops, however, some tourist hotspots in towns and cities remain open as well as cafes and restaurants.  In some rural areas, you might not find anything open and in those areas it is important to stock up on suppliers beforehand.

Celebration on the Bundesplatz

The federal square was transformed into a big birthday celebration for Switzerland. Barbecue, concerts, family programmes and many more were going on. The family programmes included lantern parade, games, kids theatre, face painting, play corners and more.

Open Day at the Parliament Building

There was a queue of hundreds of people waiting to have their turn to visit the Parliament Building which is open to the public on the Swiss National Day. On the day, there is no registration required to visit the building and the visit is also free of charge. Photos and films taken at the Parliament Building on the day can be published.

BärenPark (Bern Bear Park)

Since 1513, bears have been at home in Bern; until 1857 in the town itself, then in the bear pit, and in 2009 in the new and spacious BärenPark. We took time to visit the BärenPark. The site on the banks of the Aare stretches from the former bear pit opposite the Old Town to the river. Thanks to a lift, the entire facility is now wheelchair-friendly.

The “Bear Pit”, which still exists and has been listed as a federal cultural asset of national significance, remains at the bears ‘disposal. Guests can go on a tour of the old bear pit as well as the new bear park. You get to see the new park with its green hilly terrain, which includes caves and the “Bear Bath”

>>>Chris is a thought leader in Marketing Communications, Stakeholder Relationship Management Professional and International Cooperation Specialist. Over the last fifteen (15) years, he has made tremendous impact within Africa’s corporate communications and creative arts sectors. He can be reached at [email protected] / 233 20 854 1480

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