SUSANNE WENGER The cover of the first-ever “Swiss Review” in 1974 promised “fresh impetus” – albeit with regard to the revised statutes of the Solidarity Fund for the Swiss Abroad, and not the magazine’s own debut. Only towards the end of this inaugural publication did it become apparent to readers that this was the moment when all expats were now receiving the same information from the mother country. The launch of the “Swiss Review” was a pragmatic undertaking by its publisher, the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), and by the federal government, which news via the existing regional expatriate publications. Firstly, a large print run saw all Swiss living in France receiving an expanded edition of the “Messager suisse de France” free of charge. Around a dozen other publications gradually followed in other parts of the world, “and this new global information network was up and running within four years”, says Wyder. It was before the internet – at a time when Mother Helvetia became increasingly aware of her children scattered around the globe. An article of the constitution was created in 1966, stating that the Confederation “shall encourage relations among the Swiss Abroad and their relations with Switzerland”. The aim of the “Swiss Review” would be to “strengthen people’s attachment to Switzerland”, it said in the first-ever publisher notes. The magazine would contain official communications and Swiss-related articles of general interest. A piece on the successful Valais ski racer Roland Collombin fulfilled this remit in the first edition of the “Swiss Review”. The journalist described Collombin as a “straightforward, happy-go-lucky sort of guy”. “Strengthening people’s attachment to Switzerland” Why did the first “Swiss Review” appear in 1974? And what about its journey since then? We look at the magazine’s evolution over the years – on its 50th birthday. Colour and substance This mixture of information and articles, supplemented by local news from expatriate associations, would continue for the next 50 years. Nevertheless, the magazine has changed a lot in the intervening time between its first edition and this, the 259th edition – as anyone can see who delves into old editions that are now available online (see box). Not only did the magazine eventually switch from black and white to colour, but its contents also gained substance. Launched as a way to disseminate information to the Swiss Abroad, it initially came across as a very official ❮ The inaugural edition, 1/1974 ❮ Edition 1/1979: Federal Councillor Hans Hürlimann lends a distinguished touch to the cover of the “Review” Edition 2/1992: ❯ Strengthening the political rights of the “Fifth Switzerland” was the main theme Edition 1/1987: ❯ In colour for the first time provided the magazine with funding from the outset. “Both parties wanted to keep all Swiss Abroad up to date with news,” says Berne-based historian Rudolf Wyder, who was responsible for the “Swiss Review” in his role as OSA director from 1987 to 2013. Wyder also looks back at those early days of the “Swiss Review” in his 2016 book “Globale Schweiz”. He explains that the magazine was a federalist project. It started in France In 1970, the OSA and the federal government began disseminating Swiss Review / July 2024 / No.4 22 A word from the editor
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjYwNzMx