Discover Switzerland culture news, traditional customs, heritage sites, arts, music, literature, festivals, cultural events, and stories celebrating the rich diversity of Swiss life and history.
Switzerland is taking a significant step toward addressing long-standing disputes over artworks linked to the Nazi era, with a newly established commission preparing to begin handling restitution cases involving contested cultural property. The move marks one of the most important developments in Swiss cultural policy in recent years, reflecting growing international pressure on museums, collectors…
The Zurich Film Festival has become the center of a political debate after Switzerland’s largest conservative party accused the event of presenting an overly critical view of Israel through parts of its 2026 program. The criticism emerged shortly after the festival unveiled a lineup that includes several films and documentaries addressing the war in Gaza…
ETH Zurich has lost its position as the highest-ranked university in continental Europe in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, after being overtaken by China’s Tsinghua University in a result that highlights the growing influence of Asian institutions in global higher education. The Swiss university moved down one place in the newest…
Switzerland is increasing its investment in provenance research as authorities seek to strengthen transparency surrounding cultural artefacts held in museums and public collections across the country. The federal government has approved new funding aimed at helping institutions investigate the ownership histories of objects whose origins may be incomplete, disputed, or insufficiently documented. The initiative reflects…
The Zurich Film Festival has added an unexpected guest to its 2026 program, announcing that climate activist Greta Thunberg will participate in a public discussion focused on Western Sahara following the world premiere of a new documentary examining the region’s long-running political and humanitarian challenges. The appearance introduces an international activist voice to one of…
Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore is set to receive one of the Zurich Film Festival’s highest distinctions, adding another milestone to a career that has spanned more than three decades and earned recognition across the global film industry. Festival organizers announced that the American performer will be presented with an honorary award during this year’s event…
The city of Neuchâtel is once again preparing to welcome thousands of visitors as one of Switzerland’s most recognizable cultural celebrations begins its annual three-day run, bringing together wine traditions, public festivities, and regional heritage. The Neuchâtel Wine Harvest Festival, known locally as the Fête des Vendanges, opens on Friday and is expected to transform…
A rare collection of Swiss raclette cheese wheels spanning nearly a century and a half has provided researchers with an unusual window into the changing relationship between food production, microbes, and agricultural practices. Scientists from Switzerland’s agricultural research center Agroscope and ETH Zurich have analyzed eight wheels of raclette cheese produced between 1875 and 2017,…
Switzerland’s postal service is turning to one of the country’s oldest forms of public communication to spotlight a modern conservation challenge. A newly released series of commemorative postage stamps features endangered farm animal breeds, bringing national attention to livestock varieties that have played a significant role in Swiss agricultural history but now face uncertain futures….
A remarkable archaeological discovery in Basel is shedding new light on how medieval communities in Switzerland managed indoor comfort centuries before modern heating technologies emerged. Researchers working at a redevelopment site in the historic center of Basel have uncovered an exceptionally well-preserved hot-air heating system dating back to the Middle Ages. Archaeologists describe the find…
