The Consulate General of Switzerland in Jeddah celebrated the National Day of Switzerland with patriotism, enthusiasm and simplicity on Thursday at the residence of Swiss Counsel General Hans Stalder.
Stalder said the National Day is being celebrated late this year due to Ramadan. Worldwide Swiss National Day was celebrated on Aug. 1 with the speech of the president, fireworks and festivities.
The Swiss National Day dates to 1891.
“Actually it goes back to a historical treaty between the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. The historic union concluded in 1291. They made a mutual agreement of resistance mainly to fight against Hapsburg soldiers. This strengthened their position in the region leading over the Gothard Pass, the North and South connections of Switzerland with Europe,” said Hans.
He said the mountain pass was first conquered in 1888. The Swiss built railway tunnels and roads in the 1970s and are now making a third tunnel scheduled to open in 2016.
“There will be three tunnels ranging from 15 km to 40 km in length,” he said.
Hans applauded the relationship of Switzerland and Saudi Arabia in various fields including economic. He said the Swiss Consulate will continue to work in Jeddah. It had been scheduled to close at the end of the year.
An exhibition by Swiss artist Jorg Rohner was the highlight of the celebrations with copper, gold- and silver-plated art objects on display. Diplomats and friends of Switzerland were present at the celebrations.
