Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin.

The first of August is Swiss National Day. It was first celebrated in the wonderful city of Berne in 1891 marking the 600th anniversary of the Federal Charter of 1291 (the charter mentions 'early August' which is why they chose the 1st of the month to celebrate it). For those of you who don't know the Federal Charter (or Letter of Alliance) documents the Eternal Alliance; the union of three cantons in what is now central Switzerland.

Thank you Wikipedia.

It is celebrated in different ways in different cantons. Many hold a firework displays because they "serve as a reminder of the expulsion of the foreign bailiffs in the 14th century, for the great news was announced in this very way." Some have big parades with flags and paper lanterns and stuff. Some have a brunch. Because the people that signed the charter ate food on that fateful day in 1291.

And everything closes. This is no foreign concept in Switzerland, I challenge you to come over here and doing some shopping on a Sunday. You won't manage it. As far as I know St. Andrew’s day is never celebrated like this in Scotland, it's just another day. On Burns Night you get a bit of nosh and some booze, maybe even someone wailing on a set of bagpipes if you’re unlucky, but nothing closes.

So, how will I be celebrating Swiss National Day? Brunch and maybe something else too. Who knows? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Watch this space...