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Swiss National Exhibition

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Swiss National Exhibition is a periodically held national event showcasing Switzerland.

Bronze sculpture Wehrbereitschaft by Hans Brandenberger, symbol of the 1939 national spirit, now in the park of the Federal Archives in Schwyz

History

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In Europe, exhibitions emerged in the late 18th century. Unlike fairs and markets, they served only partially commercial purposes. Following early art exhibitions in England and France, the Exposition des produits de l’industrie française in 1798 marked Europe’s first major industrial exhibition, showcasing the achievements of the First French Republic.[1]

In Switzerland, the first art and industrial exhibition took place in 1804, with 399 exhibitors from multiple cantons.[1] These events were repeated in 1810, 1818, 1824, and 1830. The 1824 exhibition catalog explicitly stated that no items could be sold in the exhibition hall, nor could goods be produced specifically for the event. These exhibitions coincided with the summer sessions of the Tagsatzung.[2]

In 1843, St. Gallen hosted the first Swiss Trade and Industrial Exhibition,[3] repeated in Bern in 1848 and 1857.[1]

The 1857 Swiss Trade and Industrial Exhibition in Bern is considered Switzerland’s first national exhibition, as federal subsidies and the Federal Council’s presidency of the exhibition committee gave it an official character. However, it remained primarily a showcase for companies competing for sales-boosting awards. Exhibits promoting ideological values, typical of later national exhibitions, were still absent. Officially, the 1883 exhibition is recognized as the first Swiss National Exhibition, though some sources refer to it as the third[4] or fourth.[5]

Swiss National Exhibitions

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1883 in Zürich

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Main entrance and industrial hall of the 1883 National Exhibition, on the site of today’s Swiss National Museum

In 1883, Zürich hosted the officially recognized first Swiss National Exhibition, attracting 1.7 million visitors and surpassing all prior federal or cantonal events. The focus expanded beyond art, trade, industry, and agriculture to include ideological values. Significant space was dedicated to education to promote acceptance of compulsory schooling in rural areas. A highlight was the presentation of the Topographic Map of Switzerland.[6]

1896 in Geneva

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The next exhibition took place in 1896 in Geneva. For the first time, a pavilion from the Department of Defence showcased the Swiss Armed Forces to the public, achieving its goal. From September 8 to 12, the first Swiss Congress for Women’s Interests was held. Additionally, alongside the village suisse, a village noir featured mud huts and 230 Sudanese individuals.[7] The automobile was also introduced in Switzerland for the first time.[8] The exhibition’s machine hall was repurposed as a coking hall at the Gaswerk Schlieren from 1898 and remains preserved.[9][10]

1914 in Bern

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Catalog for the 1914 National Exhibition in Bern
The Landidörfli of 1939 at Zürichhorn, aerial photograph by Walter Mittelholzer

In 1914, Bern hosted an exhibition that coincided with the outbreak of World War I. The army pavilion emphasized Switzerland’s commitment to armed neutrality. A model village, the Dörfli, was constructed in Bern’s Länggasse district based on architect Karl Indermühle’s plans. One exhibit, the Dammahütte of the Swiss Alpine Club, remains preserved at its new location.[11]

1939 in Zürich (Landi)

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The 1939 exhibition, known as the Landi, took place in Zürich from May 6 to October 29, emphasizing national unity. Attractions included:

  • The Landidörfli, showcasing traditional-style houses from various cantons
  • The Schifflibach, where visitors traveled through the grounds in small boats
  • A cable car crossing Lake Zürich at 75 meters

Led by Armin Meili, the event sold over 10 million tickets.[12]

The Swiss Armed Forces pavilion and Hans Brandenberger’s Wehrbereitschaft sculpture reflected the era’s focus on defense, amid World War II’s outbreak on September 1, 1939. Modern elements included an aluminum industry pavilion, early television demonstrations by Franz Tank, and Hans Coray’s Landi-Stuhl, later featured on a 2004 Swiss Post stamp. The pavilion designs, known as Landistil, influenced Swiss architecture.[13]

A “Swiss Women’s Pavilion” by women’s organizations showcased contributions to the economy and addressed political inequalities.[12]

1964 in Lausanne (Expo)

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Swiss municipal coats of arms at Expo 64
Main article: Expo 64

From April 30 to October 25, 1964, the Lausanne Expo highlighted modern Switzerland with a monorail and cableway. It sold 10 million tickets.[14]

The Swiss Army’s Igel-Pavillon reflected Cold War defense strategies. A submarine ride in Auguste Piccard’s Mesoscaphe explored Lake Geneva. The Switzerland in the Mirror project showed five films on Swiss life, and the Path of Switzerland displayed flags of all 3,000 Swiss municipalities.[14]

Failed 1991 Exhibition in Central Switzerland (CH91)

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Plans for a 1991 exhibition to mark the 700th Anniversary of the Swiss Confederation in Central Switzerland failed in 1985 after voters in the Canton of Lucerne rejected it. A decentralized concept for other central Swiss cantons (Obwalden, Nidwalden, Schwyz, Zug, and Uri) also lacked support, with funding rejected in April 1987. Instead, the national research exhibition Heureka was held in Zürich.[15]

2002 in Biel/Bienne, Neuchâtel, Yverdon-les-Bains, and Murten (Expo.02)

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Expo.02: The three pebbles at the Neuchâtel Arteplage
Main article: Expo.02

Originally planned for 2001 (Expo.01), the exhibition was postponed to 2002 due to planning difficulties and budget overruns. Held from May 15 to October 20, 2002, across four sites in three lakes and two linguistic regions, Expo.02 was organized by five cantons. It attracted over 10 million visitors with 40 exhibitions, 13,000 cultural performances, and numerous art projects across four Arteplages and the floating Mobile du Jura Arteplage.[16]

Projects after Expo.02

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Failed Gottardo 2020 Exhibition

To mark the Gotthard Base Tunnel’s opening, the Gottardo 2020 exhibition was planned for 2018 in Uri, Ticino, Grisons, and Valais. Themes like environmental protection, energy, culture, and mobility were to be showcased in Lucerne, Bellinzona, Chur, and Brig, with main events at the tunnel portals in Erstfeld and Biasca. The “Alpine Expo” was abandoned due to financing issues and time constraints.[17]

Failed 2027 Exhibition in Eastern Switzerland

Plans for a 2027 exhibition in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, St. Gallen, and Thurgau began in 2014–2015. A concept competition selected Expedition27: Three Landscapes. Two Worlds. One Adventure in December 2014.[18][19] Voters in Thurgau and St. Gallen rejected funding on June 5, 2016.[20]

Potential Future Exhibitions

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Several projects for future Swiss National Exhibitions have been proposed.[21]

Muntagna
AlpenExpo 2027+

The Muntagna association aims to host an Alpine-focused exhibition starting in 2027, promoting sustainable development in the Alps across Romansh, Italian, and Central Swiss regions. It emphasizes new work, lifestyle, leisure, economic, and mobility models.[22]

X-27 in Dübendorf

The X-27 initiative, organized as a private association, seeks to promote civic and public projects culminating in a 2027 event at the Swiss Innovation Park on the Dübendorf Air Base. Projects would begin before and continue after the event.[23][24]

NEXPO

In 2017, ten Swiss cities agreed on a decentralized exhibition planned for 2030 at the earliest.[25] The “NEXPO – the new Expo” association was founded in 2018.[26] By 2023, 26 cities and municipalities supported NEXPO, but federal funding delays pushed the event to 2032.[27][28]

Svizra 2027 in Northwestern Switzerland

The “Svizra 27” initiative, initially planned for 2027, aims to host an exhibition in Northwestern Switzerland focusing on work, volunteering, and social media.[29] Ten sites would each cover themes like “security and resilience,” “energy and resources,” or “nutrition and environment.”[30]

First Cooperation in 2022

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In autumn 2022, NEXPO and X-27 agreed to collaborate on content and communication, prompted by federal pressure after the Federal Council, in summer 2022, expressed openness to a national exhibition with potential financial and ideological support. A framework report was planned by the end of 2023.[31][32]

Federal Delay in 2023

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In spring 2023, the federal government halted plans, stating no exhibition with federal involvement would occur before 2030, with funding decisions deferred until 2028.[33]

References

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  • Kreis, Georg. "Landesausstellungen" [National Exhibitions]. Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (in German). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  • Cordey, Pierre (1964). Das Buch der Expo von Lausanne [The Book of the Lausanne Expo] (in German). Lausanne.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Rudolf Rast (2003). Architecture.Expo.02. Basel. ISBN 3-7643-6853-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Weilacher, Udo (2001). Schweizerische Landesausstellung, Landi 1939 [Swiss National Exhibition, Landi 1939] (in German). Visionäre Gärten. Die modernen Landschaften von Ernst Cramer. Basel. ISBN 3-7643-6568-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  • Christian Koller (2004). Georg Kreis (ed.). Der ausgestellte Volkskörper: Sport an der schweizerischen Landesausstellung 1939 [The exhibited national body: Sports at the 1939 Swiss National Exhibition]. Basel: Schwabe-Verlag. pp. 89–117.
  • Béatrice Ziegler (2001). ""Der gebremste Katamaran". Nationale Selbstdarstellung an den schweizerischen Landesausstellungen des 20. Jahrhunderts" [“The restrained catamaran”. National self-presentation at 20th-century Swiss National Exhibitions]. Schweizerische Zeitschrift für Geschichte. 51: 166–180.
  • Auf zur Expo! Sechs Familien reisen durch die Schweiz und besuchen die Landesausstellungen [Off to the Expo! Six families travel through Switzerland and visit the national exhibitions]. Zürich: Lehrmittelverlag des Kantons Zürich. 2002.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Schweizerische Landesausstellung.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Ruedi Brassel-Moser (24 November 2015). "Ausstellungen" [Exhibitions]. Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  2. ^ Verzeichniss der Kunstwerke und andrer Gegenstände der Kunst- und Industrie-Ausstellung in Bern [List of artworks and other items of the art and industrial exhibition in Bern, opened in the years 1804, 1810, and 1824]. 1804. pp. 1, 2, 4. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  3. ^ H. Schinz (1843). Bericht über die Schweiz. Gewerbs- und Industrie-Ausstellung in St. Gallen [Report on the Swiss Trade and Industrial Exhibition in St. Gallen].
  4. ^ [s.n.] (1883). "Die Schweizerische Landesausstellung 1883" [The Swiss National Exhibition 1883]. Schweizerische Bauzeitung. 1 (16): 99. doi:10.5169/SEALS-11056.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Adolph Jnwyler (1884). "Die Medaillen auf die IVte schweizerische Landesausstellung in Zürich 1883 nebst einer kurzen Rundschau über diese Ausstellung" [The medals of the fourth Swiss National Exhibition in Zurich 1883, with a brief overview of this exhibition]. Bulletin de la Société suisse de Numismatique. 3 (1). doi:10.5169/SEALS-170596.
  6. ^ "Erste schweizerische Landesausstellung 1883 Zürich" [First Swiss National Exhibition 1883 Zürich]. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  7. ^ Marc Tribelhorn (19 September 2016). "Das «Negerdorf» der Landesausstellung 1896 – Begaffte «Exoten»" [The “Negro Village” of the 1896 National Exhibition – Gaped-at “Exotics”]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  8. ^ Rolf Gisler-Jauch (21 January 2015). "Automobil" [Automobile]. Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  9. ^ Albert Weiss (12 February 1898). "Vortrag über den Bau des neuen Gaswerkes der Stadt Zürich" [Lecture on the construction of the new Zürich gasworks]. Schweizerische Bauzeitung. 31 (7): 53.
  10. ^ List of cultural property in Schlieren
  11. ^ Zuerich, ETH-Bibliothek. "Die Berner Woche in Wort und Bild : ein Blatt für heimatliche Art und Kunst". E-Periodica (in German). Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  12. ^ a b Marguth, Mario (1963–1964). "Die Armee an der Landesausstellung 1939 in Zürich" [The Army at the 1939 National Exhibition in Zürich]. Schweizer Soldat: Monatszeitschrift für Armee und Kader mit FHD-Zeitung. 39 (17): 378. doi:10.5169/seals-707047. ISSN 0036-7451. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "Landi 1939" [Landi 1939] (PDF). www.zuonline.ch. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Site officiel de la ville de Lausanne - Attractions principales" [Official Website of the City of Lausanne - Main Attractions]. www.lausanne.ch (in French). Archived from the original on November 24, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  15. ^ "Da war doch was, im Jahr 1991". www.derfreiaemter.ch. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  16. ^ "National exhibitions". Archived from the original on 2025-03-26. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  17. ^ swissinfo.ch, S. W. I. (2010-11-23). "Landesausstellung "Gottardo 2020" beerdigt". SWI swissinfo.ch (in German). Retrieved 2025-06-09.
  18. ^ "Konzeptwettbewerb Schweizerische Landesausstellung Expo2027 Jurybericht 1. Stufe" [Concept competition Swiss National Exhibition Expo2027 Jury Report 1st Stage] (PDF). 5 December 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Konzeptwettbewerb: Expo 2027" [Concept competition: Expo 2027]. www.expo2027.ch. Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  20. ^ Jörg Krummenacher (5 June 2016). "Volksabstimmungen zur Expo 2027: Ostschweiz beerdigt Landesausstellung" [Referendums on Expo 2027: Eastern Switzerland buries national exhibition]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  21. ^ Michael Surber (11 June 2020). "Landesausstellung: Vier Projekte buhlen um Gunst der Bevölkerung" [National Exhibition: Four projects vie for public favor]. Neue Zürcher Zeitung. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  22. ^ "Die AlpenExpo 2027+" [The AlpenExpo 2027+]. muntagna.ch. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Motto "Treffpunkt Zukunft": Die Landesausstellung X-27 will Bögen schlagen" [Motto “Meeting Point Future”: The X-27 National Exhibition aims to make waves]. Limmattaler Zeitung. 16 May 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  24. ^ "Treffpunkt Zukunft" [Meeting Point Future]. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  25. ^ "NEXPO – die neue Expo: Zehn Städte für eine Landesausstellung" [NEXPO – the new Expo: Ten cities for a national exhibition]. Stadt Zürich. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Über uns" [About us]. nexpo.ch. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  27. ^ "Um fünf Jahre verschoben: Schweizer Städte wollen Nexpo erst im Jahr 2032 durchführen" [Delayed by five years: Swiss cities want to hold Nexpo in 2032]. Berner Zeitung. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Dezentrale Expo. Nexpo: Die wichtigsten Antworten zur geplanten Landesausstellung" [Decentralized Expo. Nexpo: Key answers about the planned national exhibition]. SRF News. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  29. ^ "Expo-Initianten müssen das Volk gewinnen" [Expo initiators must win over the public]. Aargauer Zeitung. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  30. ^ "Landesausstellung "Svizra27". So steht es um die nächste Landesausstellung" [National Exhibition “Svizra27”. The status of the next national exhibition]. SRF News. 22 January 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  31. ^ "Nächste Landesausstellung: "Nexpo" und "X27" spannen zusammen" [Next National Exhibition: “Nexpo” and “X27” team up]. Aargauer Zeitung. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Bundesrat wünscht: Organisatoren sollen ihre Projekte zusammenlegen" [Federal Council wishes: Organizers should merge their projects]. Aargauer Zeitung. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  33. ^ "Keine Landesausstellung bis mindestens 2030 – Bundesrat verordnet Svizra27, Nexpo und Co. einen Marschhalt" [No national exhibition until at least 2030 – Federal Council halts Svizra27, Nexpo, and others]. Aargauer Zeitung. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
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