Next Saturday is 1 August 2020, Swiss National Day. Below we tell you where to get supplies from for your at-home celebrations and where you can celebrate out and about if you’re so inclined. Due to COVID-19 many of the usual annual celebrations have been cancelled but the celebrations continue, online.
Why do the Swiss celebrate on 1 August?
The date is inspired by the date of the Federal Charter of 1291, Pacte du Grütli, when “three Alpine cantons swore the oath of confederation” (Schwyz, Uri and Unterwald), an action which later came to be regarded as the founding of Switzerland.
How is it celebrated in Switzerland?
1 August is celebrated each year with paper lantern parades, bonfires, hanging strings of Swiss flags, and fireworks.
How to celebrate in Australia?
As mentioned above there are some online events, stockists of Swiss cheeses in various cities and some Swiss restaurants you can dine in at to celebrate Swiss National Day 2020.
ONLINE EVENTS
2020 is a special year and in many places people will not have the opportunity to gather as usual for Swiss National Day 2020.
But this is not going to stop us from celebrating 1st of August together wherever we are in the world!
Join, celebrate and share via the website! Full programme will be available on the website from 27 July 2020.
Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) Oceania
On Saturday 1 August join CSA Oceania for a virtual Swiss National Day 2020 celebration!
Many traditional 1 August events that the Swiss community in Australia normally organises cannot take place this year due to COVID-19. As an alternative, they invite everyone to log onto their website www.csa-oceania.org or visit them on their facebook page for special National Day contributions and messages from around Australia and Switzerland. Experience online Swissness to warm your hearts! 🇨🇭❤️
Brought to you by your CSA Oceania Team!
AUSTRALIA-WIDE DELIVERY
You can order your raclette and other cheeses and foodie delights from this store which ships cheese and charcuterie Australia-wide.
Fromart make and sell their own hand-crafted Swiss style cheese made on their farm. They also sell cheeses imported from Switzerland. A perfect place for cheese for your Swiss National Day 2020 celebrations.
The Adelaide Central Market’s Smelly Cheese Shop is your destination for all your Swiss cheeses with which to celebrate Swiss National Day 2020.
They also have a fondue for 2 pack for purchase. It contains:
🧀150g Swiss Appenzeller
🧀150g Heidi Tilsit
🧀150g Comte
🧀150g Cornichons
Smelly Cheese Shop can arrange delivery Australia-wide.
The Red Cow have released a special product for the 1st August Swiss National Day celebrations. The pack includes Gruyère, Emmental,Fondue and Birehong, pear reduction. You can purchase it here:
https://www.theredcow.com.au/shop/products/1st-august-celebration-pack/
NOTE: Orders need to be made by early Monday 27 July to ensure delivery for Swiss National Day.
ADELAIDE
The Adelaide Central Market’s Smelly Cheese Shop is your destination for all your Swiss cheeses with which to celebrate Swiss National Day 2020.
They also have a fondue for 2 pack for purchase. It contains:
🧀150g Swiss Appenzeller
🧀150g Heidi Tilsit
🧀150g Comte
🧀150g Cornichons
You can order for pick-up from the Adelaide Central Market from Tuesday to Saturday or for delivery Australia-wide.
Swiss Club of South Australia
Swiss National Day in the Forest
This year the Swiss Club of South Australia has changed its usual indoor celebration into an outdoor celebration with lots of space to stay safe and abide by COVID-19 restrictions. Their committee has developed a COVID-19 safe plan for your safety.
They invite you to pack your hiking boots, a warm jacket and bring your own picnic and join them at Kuitpo forest to celebrate Swiss National Day.
Where: Chookalaroo Camping Ground, Kuitpo Forest
When: Saturday 1 August, 1pm
What: Celebrate Swiss National Day in a relaxed atmosphere amongst the tall trees. Games such as tug of war, sack racing and natural crafts will keep you entertained.
They encourage you to bring:
- your lampions (paper lanterns if you have one) to join in the parade
- own cups and plates and cutlery
- chairs and picnic rug
- bring your own food and drinks (as they will not be sharing food due to COVID-19).
The Swiss Club of SA will provide hot water, tea and coffee to keep warm. Feel free to bring any other drinks.
If you have any questions please reach out to our committee via email [email protected]
BRISBANE
New start-up Olala Raclette is delivering raclette boxes to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
$69 gets you a box for two which contains:
🧀 Raclette Cheese | 400G |
🥔 Potatoes | 1KG |
🥓 French Charcuterie | 18 slices |
🥓 Saucisson | 4 | Prosciutto | 4 | Coppa | 4 |
🥓 Bresaola | 4 | White Ham | 2 |
🥖 French Baguette
🥒 Pickles and Onions
📄 Guide to make a good Raclette
Boxes are also available for up to 8 people. You can order via the Olala website.
The Red Cow have released a special product for the 1st August Swiss National Day celebrations.
The pack includes Gruyère, Emmental,Fondue and Birehong, pear reduction. You can purchase it here:
https://www.theredcow.com.au/shop/products/1st-august-celebration-pack/
NOTE: Orders need to be made by early Monday 27 July to ensure delivery for Swiss National Day on Saturday.
GOLD COAST
Swiss Club Queensland – Gold Coast group
https://www.swissclubqld.org.au/events/swiss-national-day-picnic/
MELBOURNE
Harper & Blohm stock a range of cheeses from around the world and some Victorian organic raclette from L’Artisan, made by French-born cheesemaker Matthieu Megard.
Their s shop-front is not open at the moment except for to click and collect pre-made orders. You can order for delivery around Melbourne & Victoria or to Click & Collect
from 365 Sydney Rd Monday – Friday via their online shop.
You can order Swiss cheeses for delivery in Melbourne from Maker & Monger.
NOTE: Orders must be a minimum of $50 and delivery is only to selected suburbs within a 10km radius and is for a fee. Delivery is only available from Thursday to Sunday, which works well for Swiss National Day 2020 celebrations.
New start-up Olala Raclette is delivering raclette boxes to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
$69 gets you a box for two which contains:
🧀 Raclette Cheese | 400G |
🥔 Potatoes | 1KG |
🥓 French Charcuterie | 18 slices |
🥓 Saucisson | 4 | Prosciutto | 4 | Coppa | 4 |
🥓 Bresaola | 4 | White Ham | 2 |
🥖 French Baguette
🥒 Pickles and Onions
📄 Guide to make a good Raclette
Boxes are also available for up to 8 people. You can order via the Olala website.
Raclette Melbourne is offering a 20% discount for all orders placed between 25 July and Saturday 1 August.
With the COVID-19 restrictions, you cannot dine in but Smithward is offering take-away on Fridays and Saturdays, which is perfect for your Swiss National Day 2020 celebrations.
Smithward’s online store is open 24/7 to take your order for contactless collection on Friday and Saturday. They will have their 24hr-fermented sourdough, will be grilling amazing local Raclette cheese and recommending some Victorian wine for you.
SYDNEY
At time of publication, we have not been able to confirm if CJ’s is doing anything special for Swiss National Day 2020. However, their usual menu includes a varied choice of fondues:
- Swiss-style Cheese Fondue
- ‘French-style’ Fondue (Beef, Chicken & King Prawns)
- Chocolate Fondue
New start-up Olala Raclette is delivering raclette boxes to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
$69 gets you a box for two which contains:
🧀 Raclette Cheese | 400G |
🥔 Potatoes | 1KG |
🥓 French Charcuterie | 18 slices |
🥓 Saucisson | 4 | Prosciutto | 4 | Coppa | 4 |
🥓 Bresaola | 4 | White Ham | 2 |
🥖 French Baguette
🥒 Pickles and Onions
📄 Guide to make a good Raclette
Boxes are also available for up to 8 people. You can order via the Olala website.
The Matterhorn will celebrate Swiss National Day over the weekend of 1st and 2nd August. They are fully booked for lunch and dinner on Saturday 1st but due to popular demand The Matterhorn will open for lunch on Sunday 2nd.
They will be offering a new menu of Swiss dishes, similar to their current menu. Swiss beer and wine will be available too.
How will you be celebrating Swiss National Day 2020?
