In 1947, the Federal Authorities invite French geographer André Siegfried to Switzerland. After his stay he publishes La Suisse, démocratie témoin, a book which is in tune with the myth of the Swiss Sonderfall
. It is translated into many languages and serves Swiss diplomacy as an excellent tool for propaganda.
Swiss National Library
In 1947, the Federal Authorities invite French geographer André Siegfried to Switzerland. After his stay he publishes La Suisse, démocratie témoin, a book which is in tune with the myth of the Swiss Sonderfall
. It is translated into many languages and serves Swiss diplomacy as an excellent tool for propaganda.
Swiss National Library
1959 Pro Helvetia finances a Japanese version of La Suisse, démocratie-témoin by André Siegfried.
Swiss National Library
The Spanish version of La Suisse, démocratie-témoin is published in Mexico, 1958.
Swiss National Library
André Siegfried’s book is published in English by J. Cape in London, 1950. The myth of the Sonderfall
is reinforced and spread in the English speaking world. In Great Britain the book is placed at the disposal of University libraries as well as distributed to many journalists.
Swiss National Library
The German translation of André Siegfried’s book is published in 1949.
Swiss National Library
In March 1950, the English newsmagazine The Economist publishes a review of André Siegfried’s book.
Swiss Federal Archives E 2001 (E) 1972/33, Vol. 271
André Siegfried’s book is by far not the only propaganda used to spread the image of the perfect Swiss Democracy abroad. 1973 the shortwave broadcasting service of SRG transmits a programme about the cantonal assembly of Glarus, aimed at the Latin American audience.
Swissinfo Archives, in collaboration with Memoriav
