War graves monument with Nazi links found in Switzerland
A monument to German war dead, which has links to Nazi sympathisers, is the source of embarrassment in a city in southeast Switzerland.
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The large stone monument has been discovered by Swiss public television SRF in a cemetery in Chur, where it was erected in 1938.
It was built by the German War Graves Commission to commemorate soldiers lost during World War I. The problem is that the War Graves Commission was deeply influenced by Nazi philosophy in the 1930s.
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Up in arms: controversial legacies in Switzerland
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The debate on how to deal with racist monuments and symbols has been reignited in Switzerland.
The organisation had hoped to erect a number of monuments in German-speaking Switzerland in the same era, but the plan was stopped by adverse public sentiment, according to SRF.
After World War II, Switzerland purged Nazi groups and their supporters from the country. But the monument was left behind and forgotten about until now.
Several monuments linked to slavery and racism in different locations have come under the spotlight.
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Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
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Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
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Researchers find high microbial diversity in glacial streams
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Swiss researchers have discovered a surprising diversity of microorganisms in glacial streams around the world. However, this diversity is under threat as soon as it is discovered.
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Fewer electric cars were sold in Switzerland in 2024 compared to the previous year. The electric mobility association Swiss eMobility says this is only a temporary dip.
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Sunshine and fresh snow attracted winter sports fans to Swiss ski resorts over the holiday period. Many ski stations reported record figures.
New Year’s speech: President Keller-Sutter praises Swiss modesty
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The Swiss president for 2025, Karin Keller-Sutter, has underlined the importance of compromise and modesty in Swiss politics in her New Year’s address to the nation.
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Chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli has won a legal case against the retailer Aldi Suisse for infringing the trademark rights of its Lindor chocolate balls.
Campaigners want Swiss central bank to hold bitcoin in reserves
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Campaigners have launched a people's initiative to oblige the Swiss National Bank (SNB) to hold part of its reserves in bitcoin.
Switzerland welcomes 2025 with fireworks and ice plunges
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Fireworks lit up the skies in Switzerland to celebrate New Year's Eve. Some people welcomed the new year by plunging into lakes in freezing temperatures.
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Switzerland joins debate about removing controversial memorials
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Global anti-racism protests after the death of George Floyd have reignited the debate about contentious monuments in the US and Europe.
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Which monuments shape the public sphere is determined by tradition and administration. This should change, argues a group of academics and curators.
Johann August Sutter: a Swiss pioneer with a dark side
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From hero of the old West to racist colonialist: opinion on Swiss pioneer Johann August Sutter has changed in recent decades.
Zurich’s historical ties to slave trade are exposed
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As a result, the city’s authorities are examining several statues to see if they are suitable monuments and are looking into ways to highlight its murky past. The University of Zurich study highlights several investments, direct holdings and trade links between the Swiss city and slavery, mainly in the 18th century. The city itself bought…
University of Geneva removes controversial building name
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The University of Geneva has decided to remove the name of “Carl Vogt”, a 19th-century naturalist accused of holding racist views, from a building.
Switzerland calls ban of Memorial International a violation of freedom
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The Alpine nation raised concerns about the dissolution of Russian human rights NGO Memorial International by the Supreme Court.
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