FIRE OF RUETLI

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 August 1941, Page 6

FIRE OF RUETLI

SWITZERLAND’S ANNIVERSARY. 650 YEARS’ INDEPENDENCE. On August 1 the Swiss will celebrate the 650th anniversary of Switzerland’s independence, commemorating the “oath of federation” sworn at Ruetli in 1291 by the men of the three original cantons in the following terms: — “We wish to be one united nation of brothers; we will never be divided in any distress or danger. We will be free as our fathers were. We will die rather than live in slavery.” Switzerland today is a confederation based on this oath, which is to be renewed during the celebrations. Events will begin at midnight of July 31-August 1: the Beacon of Feder-/ ation will be lit by the leading Magistrates of the three “original .cantons.” From this blaze torch-bearers will light their torches and carry them in relays to all cantons of the country—thus the same fire, the same flame, will burn in all parts of Switzerland on August 1 when Swiss individually \vill renew the oath.

The day will begin with a salvo of 21 guns and peals of Church bells in Schwyz, the town from which the nation takes its name. Official guests will be received, troops reviewed, and speeches honouring the day will be delivered. At night for fifteen minutes bells all over Switzerland will be rung, and at 8 o’clock the celebrations in the town square of Schwyz will be started by the arrival of the torch-bearer from Ruetli, who will light the Schwyz fire. Addresses will be delivered in the three national languages, and these will. be relayed by radio all over Switzerland, so that all celebrations will proceed in harmony with those at the central point. At 9 a.m. in a play written for the occasion, the scene at Ruetli in 1291 will be reconstructed. This play will be repeated at intervals during the following two months. After the performance of the Ruetli scene there will be one speech —that of the President of the Confederation, and the National Anthem will conclude the proceedings. By means of short-wave transmission it is hoped that Swiss people all over the world will be put in touch with the renewal of the oath of union on which has been built the free and independent confederation in which Swiss people live in happiness, enjoying the respect of all hations of goodwill.