Switzerland says sorry! The Chicken Dance of neutrality

In our satirical video format, comedian Patrick Karpiczenko apologises for Switzerland’s transgressions - this time for its stance on neutrality and how it has enabled a cosy relationship with autocrats.

This content was published on January 27, 2023 - 13:29

1 minute

Patrick Karpiczenko/ml

What does neutrality even mean? Where does the world famous “chicken dance” come from? And why is Switzerland to blame? In our video we take a close look at the history of the famed Swiss neutrality and the diplomacy attached to it – and as always we have a reason to apologise!

If you want to know more about Switzerland’s “good offices” and its history of neutrality, check out some of our sources:

💫 “Switzerland as a mediator – the successes and failures“

💫Official information about Switzerland’s good officesExternal link

💫 “Iranian protests test Switzerland’s special status with Iran“

💫“At least 58 Iranian children reportedly killed since anti-regime protests began” External link

Or check out our focus page on Swiss neutrality:

What does the future hold for Swiss neutrality?

Switzerland is grappling with a key question: should it follow a path of openness or isolationism?

Suggestions for things Switzerland should apologise for?

Send them to sorry@karpi.international

“Switzerland Says Sorry” is written, performed and produced by Swiss comedian Karpi; Music by artlist.io;
Produced by Apéro Film in 2023 for Swissinfo; Thanks to Natascha Beller

'You know the first sign that you’re going to have to leave your neighbourhood? It’s when vintage clothing shops show up. Nothing is worse for a neighbourhood than poor people with style.'

Culture

Wealth is not all: how gentrification in Zurich has led to housing shortage

People walk in front of the main building of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the sculpture "The Convalescent" by Otto Charles Baenninger, in Zurich, on November 30, 2024.

Foreign Affairs

How a top Swiss university is screening Chinese students

Swiss Abroad

Switzerland, the promised land of coats of arms

Swiss Abroad

How Swiss festive bad boy Schmutzli cleaned up his act

Science

Swiss youth in vocational training seek jobs less prone to automation

Did you lose or gain Swiss citizenship? How did that affect your life?

What impact has this had on your life? Tell us your story.

Join the discussion

Nov 1, 2024

19 Likes

67 Comments

View the discussion

Are direct democracies more vulnerable to disinformation?

The wave of disinformation is expected to particularly affect direct democracies such as Switzerland or many US states.

Join the discussion

Dec 5, 2024

15 Likes

39 Comments

View the discussion

Have you ever heard anything peculiar about Switzerland that you found interesting?

Is there anything peculiar related to Switzerland that has caught your interest? Share it with us, and we might feature it in an article!

Join the discussion

Nov 13, 2024

12 Likes

24 Comments

View the discussion

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.

Switzerland Says Sorry! The Crypto Valley Gold Rush

This content was published on Dec 15, 2022 In our satirical video format, Swiss comedian Patrick Karpiczenko apologises for Switzerland’s handling of cryptocurrencies.

Switzerland says sorry! Oligarchs’ paradise

This content was published on Aug 12, 2022 In our satirical video format we apologise for Switzerland’s transgressions – this time for so-called golden visas.

Switzerland says sorry! The fondue invasion

This content was published on May 20, 2022 Swiss comedian and director Patrick Karpiczenko apologises for the Cheese Union, a mafia-like cartel that has flooded the world with cheese.