Swiss Review / February 2022 / No.1 25 The “Rütli of the Fifth Switzerland” celebrates 30 years of existence A small commemoration took place in Brunnen (SZ) at Lake Lucerne in November in honour of the Area for the Swiss Abroad set up in 1991. It represents a piece of home for all Swiss living abroad. The 5,400 square metre area on the shores of Lake Lucerne is a place of “great emotional significance”, said Alex Hauenstein, at the celebration on 18 November 2021. Hauenstein, President of the Area for the Swiss Abroad foundation, recalled howmany Swiss all over theworld have a connection to the square: many of themcontributed financially to the purchase of this small piece of Switzerland. The location is often referred to as the “Rütli of the Fifth Switzerland” due to its symbolism. Petra Steimen, President of Schwyz cantonal government, also emphasised this significance in her address. She spoke of a “point of reference” and a “place of longing” for Swiss Abroad. Irène May, mayor of Ingenbohl (Brunnen, SZ, is in Ingenbohl municipality), also pointed out that the square contributes to the quality of life of Brunnen’s inhabitants too: children fly their kites, older peoplewalk by the lake and partygoers let off steam there. The Area was opened in May 1991, the 700th year of the Confederation. The choice of Brunnen as a location is also significant, as it is prominent in the emergence of Switzerland as a country. Leading figures fromSchwyz, Uri andUnterwaldenmet there a number of times. The gradual establishment and development of the Confederation thus began in Brunnen. The Federal Charter drafted in Brunnen on 9 December 1315, known as the “Morgartenbrief” in Swiss history books, bears witness to that At the event, Foundation President Alex Hauenstein also expressed his hope that the square in Brunnen would continue to represent the allegiance of Swiss Abroad to the Confederation and their connection to their home country as well as uniting the Swiss living in Switzerlandwith their fellow citizens in near and more farflung foreign locations (PD/MUL) www.auslandschweizerplatz.ch and revue.link/brunnen Popular online language courses for young people to be repeated Last year was the first time the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) offered online language courses to young Swiss Abroad aged 15 to 25. The courses were so popular that the OSA intends to offer them again this year. Intensive two-week courses inGermanor French are available to young people aged between 15 and 25. Online teaching will give them the opportunity to learn a language or improve their language skills in an effective but creative way togetherwith other young Swiss fromall corners of the world, in a fun and social atmosphere. The language courses will take place from 14 to 25March 2022 and from11 to 22 July 2022 and will be run by qualified teachers. With “Switzerland” as the dedicated theme, participants will be able to acquaint themselves with one of the official Swiss languages fromthe comfort of their own home, thus nurturing an attachment to their home country even if they live far away. For further details on all OSA Youth Service offers as well as the relevant application forms, visit our website at www.swisscommunity.org > Youth offers. MARIE BLOCH Youth Service of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Berne, Switzerland; tel. +41 31 356 61 24 Email: youth@swisscommunity.org Web: www.swisscommunity.org Petra Föllmi plays the accordion – and President Alex Hauenstein (left) and his deputy Norbert Mettler (right) appear in good spirits. Photo: Josias Clavadetscher
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