Most Swiss glad to celebrate National Day

The vast majority of Swiss people are planning to mark Swiss National Day on August 1 and find it important. But one in five will ignore the occasion.

According to an opinion poll carried out by market researchers DemoSCOPE, men are more enthusiastic about the celebrations than women.

Just under half of those questioned said they would celebrate among friends and family while 17 per cent plan to attend a public event.

Those who have chosen to skip the flag waving and fireworks on Monday are more likely to be middle-aged and single.

The Swiss fare less well in another test of patriotism – the ability to sing the national anthem. Almost half (44 per cent) of the telephone survey participants admitted they did not even know the words of the first verse of the anthem.