From mercenaries to modern migrants: the museum at the Domaine des Penthes.
penthes.ch
The Foundation for the History of the Swiss in the World, which has operated a museum near Geneva since 1978, has fallen victim to Covid-19, according to the foundation’s director.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
Ronald Asmar told the Tribune de Genève newspaper on Monday that he had done “everything possible” to save the foundation, but the financial repercussions of the pandemic had been impossible to overcome.
This means bankruptcy for the foundation, the closure of the Museum of Swiss in the World, near Geneva, and the laying off of a dozen staff who worked in the museum and adjacent restaurant.
Asmar said the closure of the restaurant and the cutting short of the most recent exhibition at the Domaine des Penthes site, due to coronavirus measures, had led to falls in income that couldn’t be compensated by measures like short-time working hours.
More
More
Swiss Abroad Council needs to keep up with the times
This content was published on
The Council of the Swiss Abroad has clout. But to keep it, it needs to be more democratic.
The museum’s website said its goal was to “evoke the history of the Swiss people from another angle, through the destiny of men and women who left their native land – for a short time or for ever – and who then made their mark on the world”.
Exhibitions focused on various undertakings of Swiss abroad, from early mercenaries to modern diplomats, bankers, explorers or artists.
Asmar said canton Geneva had also refused to extend the lease at the Domaine des Penthes beyond its expiration date in January 2022. The authorities are mulling using the site for a new Centre for International Cooperation linked to International Geneva, he said.
More
More
Pandemic year ‘not all bad’ for the Swiss abroad
This content was published on
The director of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) says the interests of the “Fifth Switzerland” have been boosted in 2020.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
UN and Switzerland against forced displacement of Palestinians
This content was published on
The UN and the Swiss government are opposed to any forced displacement of Palestinians, as proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Swiss diocese introduces code of conduct to tackle church abuse
This content was published on
The Diocese of Sion has introduced a code of conduct to tackle all forms of church-related abuse. A prevention commission has also been established.
Women are the victims of most domestic shootings in Switzerland
This content was published on
Between 2015 and 2022, only one of the 41 perpetrators of domestic gun homicides was female. The vast majority of these cases were femicides.
Swiss army to invest in military equipment and decommission Patrouille Suisse jets
This content was published on
The Swiss army is set to spend CHF1.5 billion on new armaments. The 2025 Armed Forces Dispatch also plans to decommission the current Patrouille Suisse.
Geneva report urges ICJ action against Nicaragua for ‘repression’
This content was published on
International investigators in Geneva have accused Nicaragua's regime of possible crimes against humanity, urging the country be brought before the ICJ.
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.