According to the organisers, this is a reaction to a documentary by Swiss public television SRF about child abuse accusations at a private school. The SRF documentary broadcast on Thursday “stirred everyone up”, the film festival said in a statement.
After an “open exchange”, the festival and the chocolate company “jointly decided to end their partnership”.
More
More
SWISS drops chocolate maker accused of homophobia
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines has severed links with Läderach after negative headlines about the CEO’s opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion.
Although there were no accusations against the current Läderach management, “the suffering of the alleged victims is associated with the family and company name”, wrote the management of the festival, which will start next week. Läderach would have been a partner of the festival for the first time this year.
Corporal punishment
Jürg Läderach, patron of the chocolatier until 2018, co-founded the evangelical school “Domino Servite” (Serve the Lord) in Kaltbrunn in canton St Gallen in 1995. In the SRF programme “Dok”, former pupils talked about beatings with belts and living in a climate of fear in the religious institution.
Johannes Läderach, head of the company based in Bilten, in canton Glarus, since 2018, told Swiss newspaper group Tamedia that he attended this school himself. He could confirm the climate of fear, but he was not been beaten there.
He was burdened by the fact that he wasn’t able to prevent the abuse. A 2019 investigation triggered a change within the Free Church, as the church leadership resigned. He separated from this denomination.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
Magnitsky case: How Switzerland failed to investigate Russian millions
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Euro 2024: England knock Switzerland out in penalty shootout to reach semi-finals
This content was published on
The Swiss were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the European Championship after a penalty shootout, losing 5-3 to England in Düsseldorf.
Swiss police identify storm victim found in canton Ticino
This content was published on
The latest casualty is a 67-year-old Swiss citizen, bringing the confirmed death toll from last weekend's severe storms in Switzerland to six.
Europe’s Ariane-6 rocket set to launch into space with Swiss collaboration
This content was published on
Switzerland is one of the 13 countries participating in the Ariane-6 programme, contributing 2.4% of the total project cost.
Severe storms: over 140 unable to go home in southern Switzerland
This content was published on
In southern Switzerland some buildings have become uninhabitable following the storms. A total of 141 residents are unable to return to their homes.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss chocolatier denies being homophobic and misogynist
This content was published on
Johannes Läderach, an evangelical Christian, has defended his opposition to same-sex marriage and a woman’s right to have an abortion.
Swiss myths fall apart at the Zurich Film Festival
This content was published on
From a portrait of ‘national painter’ Albert Anker to a fascist-hunting Heidi, the ZFF offers unconventional approaches to Swiss history.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.