Some thoughts on August 1 - Swiss National Day

Patriotism?

Well, I guess it depends on your definition. If a patriot is somebody who loves their country and feels grateful and lucky to live there, count me in. If a patriot is somebody who is proud to be from a specific country, I think I'm out. Being Swiss is not an achievement. It’s not something I did. I love that I am Swiss, I love that I have a very Swiss last name, I love the opportunities being Swiss gives me.

I am proud of any Swiss sports team or individual athlete who does well at e.g. the Olympics. Mainly because I know how difficult it is to become a professional athlete in Switzerland. What an achievement in and of itself.

The Swiss flag is a big plus 😉

Sometimes we are a weird people. I mean just the fact that there are four language regions just randomly or not so randomly lumped together into a country the outline of which has me fascinated to no end. I challenge you to find a straight line in our country border. And did you know that August 1 has only been an official holiday since 1994? Before that most cantons were “Swiss National Day? – So what?!” and people were working a full day.

I can’t say that I remember how I voted in September 1993, because of course there was a vote, but I’d assume it was a “yes”. An overwhelming majority (>80%) voted in favor of August 1 becoming a national holiday. As a result of that all shops are closed today, public transport runs on a Sunday schedule and everybody is flying their Swiss flags.

Well, not everybody. I don’t even own one myself. And I saw more flags on display on people’s balconies during the recent European soccer championships, but there you go. Actually, I can see NO Swiss flags anywhere out my window. Hilarious.

Maybe people are on vacation and if they had their flags out for more than one day, others would know they were away.

We also put flags on top of hills/mountains. Climbed up to this one last Monday.

Now on the other side of my building there will be the traditional August 1 speech by – I actually have no idea who - but it’s usually a politician or a public figure of sorts. It’s been about 25 years since I went to a August 1 celebration. Then there is food and people sing the National Anthem. Of course, we get the words to that printed on the invitation because nobody can remember more than the first few lines.

There are bonfires, fireworks, lanterns and special August 1 brunches on local farms too. I read somewhere that the Swiss wear traditional Swiss clothing today. Well, I’m wearing gym shorts and a cute sleeveless top. Not sure if that counts 😉 I know traditional clothing is a thing in other parts of the country, not so much where I live.

We have our flags out – they put them on the lamp posts along the main road. It’s always the Swiss flag, the flag of the canton you’re in and the one of your town.

Or then there’s this. Aarau on August 1, 2022.

So, while everybody else is celebrating Swiss National Day, I got a book to finish. My plan for today: reread and edit about a third of the book, then go into panic mode thinking it’s complete crap, eat chocolate because it’s one of our main food groups, hyperventilate and repeat.

Have a great day everyone! Oh and if anybody wants to guess how old Switzerland is without checking – feel free.