Thursday, May 24, 2007

Switzerland's 2007 National Day Public Holiday Loses Its Legendary Venue

Sources: Le Temps and Switzerland public holidays. After weeks of discussions and attempts at reaching a solution, the Commission du Grütli announced, earlier today that, in 2007, there would be no celebration of Switzerland's National Day public holiday on the legendary Plaine du Grütli.

Analysis: This is highly significant for the Swiss, as legend has it, it is at the Plaine du Grütli that an oath of eternal union was sworn between the cantons of Uri, Schwytz and Unterwald, leading to the, very much real, Confederate Treaty of 1291, regarded as the founding moment of Switzerland. Due to the significance of this annual event, it is possible that a last minute solution might yet be found, before Switzerland's National Day public holiday, on August 1st. We will continue to monitor further developments.