Welcome to Bern - Switzerland and to the 192nd edition of the Forum Song Contest (FSC).
Theme: ‘Edelweiss: The National Flower of Switzerland’
Winner FSC January 2025
Congratulations! ^^
The Host city for this FSC #192-edition is : Bern - Switzerland, the de-facto Capital of Switzerland
the federal city. With a population of about 146.000 Bern is the 5th most populuous city in the cou
ntry (Bern metropolitan area ca 600.000). Bern is the capital of the canton (county) of Bern too. In
1983 the historic old town in the centre of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site/protected.
Bern is surrounded by the Aare , a major river of the Swiss Plateau . Although fortified settlements
were established since antiquity, the medieval city proper was founded by the Zähringer ruling fam
ily in 1191. Bern was made a free imperial city in 1218 and in 1353 it joined the Swiss Confederacy
Since then Bern became a large city-state and it pursued a policy of sovereign territorial expansion
The etymology of the name "Bern" is uncertain . It may be that the city was named after the Italian
city of Verona, which at the time was known as Bern in Middle High German . As a result of the fin
ding of the Bern zinc tablet in the 1980s, it is now more common to assume that the city was nam
ed after a pre-existing toponym of Celtic origin. There are also local legends about the city's name
No archaeological evidence that indicate a settlement on the site of today's city centre prior to the
the 12th century has been found so far. In antiquity, a Celtic oppidum (a large fortified settlement)
stood on the Engehalbinsel (peninsula) north of Bern thought to be 1 of the 12 oppida of the Helve
tii mentioned by Caesar. During the Roman era a Gallo-Roman vicus (village) was on the same site
The Bern zinc tablet has the name Brenodor ("dwelling of Breno") . In the Early Middle Ages, a settl
ement in Bümpliz, now a city district of Bern, was some 4 km from the medieval city. The medieval
city is a foundation of the Zähringer ruling family , which rose to power in Upper Burgundy (a Frank
ish dominion, established in 888 , within the territory of former Middle Francia) in the 12th century.
In 1353, Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy, becoming the eighth canton of the formative period of
1353 to 1481. Bern invaded and conquered Aargau in 1415 and Vaud in 1536, as well as other sma
ller territories , thereby becoming the largest city-state north of the Alps. The city grew out towards
the west of the boundaries of the peninsula formed by river Aare (main tributary of the High Rhine)
The Zytglogge tower ( now a landmark in Bern city ) marked the western boundary of the city from
1191 until 1256 when the Käfigturm took over this role until 1345. It was succeeded by the Christo
ffelturm ( formerly located, closer to the site of the modern-day railway station ) until 1622. During
the Thirty Years War , two new fortifications were built , to protect the whole area of the peninsula.
After a major blaze in 1405, the city's original wooden buildings were gradually replaced by half-tim
bered houses , and subsequently the sandstone buildings , which came to be characteristic, for the
Old Town . Despite waves of pestilence , that hit Europe in the 14th century, the city continued to gr
ow, mainly due to immigration from the surrounding countryside, people moving from other towns.
‘Edelweiss: The National Flower of Switzerland’
‘History and Background’
Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is the National Flower of Switzerland - and a National Symbol.
It is due to its historical, cultural and geographical significance . Edelweiss has long been associat
ed with Swiss identity and alpine heritage . It is a rare flower that thrives in the harsh conditions of
the Alps growing at 1500-3000m altitudes . Its ability to survive in harsh conditions, made it a sym
bol of resilience , purity & rugged beauty , qualities that resonate with the Swiss national character.
Historically , during the 19th century, the Edelweiss became popular as part of the Romantic move
ment, which idealized nature and untouched landscapes . Writers and poets romanticized the flow
er , associating it with bravery and adventure. The Edelweiss, growing in the high mountains , beca
me an emblem of Swiss patriotism and natural beauty . Edelweiss is also steeped in folklore . One
legend said, that a man who wanted to prove his love to a woman, would climb treacherous moun
tains, to pick an Edelweiss for her , emphasizing bravery , and devotion . This further strengthened
its image, as a symbol of love , commitment and courage . There have been other legends as well.
As Switzerland became a major destination for alpine tourism in the late 19th and early 20th cent
uries , Edelweiss was widely used in branding , and souvenirs . Just like the mountain Matterhorn,
Switzerland's most famous landmark (ref. also this Show's banners) , the Edelweiss was featured
on postcards jewelry and traditional Swiss clothing. The famous song Edelweiss from The Sound
of Music , though not originally Swiss , further cemented its association with alpine culture. While
not officially declared the national flower , Edelweiss is considered to be the national flower by its
people and citizens and therefore it remains a deeply cherished important symbol of Switzerland.
It is featured on Swiss coins, company logos , military insignia, & traditional costumes. The flower
is legally protected in Switzerland to prevent overpicking further highlighting its national importan
ce and significance . One could say, and some people have said so, that Edelweiss represents the
Swiss people's strong connection to their alpine environment , their resilience as a people , & their
appreciation, for nature . It therefore remains one of the most enduring symbols of Swiss identity.
During the 18th century , the city of Bern was at one point the largest shareholder in the South Sea
Company, a British joint-stock company. From 1689 to March 1798 in the town was printed in Fren
ch the biweekly newspaper Gazette de Berne , which reflected the opinions of Bern, usually hostile
to the politics of Pre-revolutionary France (the political & social system of the Kingdom of France).
Bern was occupied by French troops in 1798 during the French Revolutionary Wars, when it was st
ripped of parts of its territories. It regained control of the Bernese Oberland in 1802 , and following
the Congress of Vienna of 1814, it newly acquired the Bernese Jura. At this time, it once again bec
ame the largest canton of the Confederacy , as it stood during the Restoration (period 1814-1830).
On 28th November 1848, during the revolutions that year, a majority of the new Swiss Federal Ass
embly deputies chose Bern as the Federal City (Seat of the Government) of the newly created Swi
ss federal state, ahead of Zürich and Lucerne . Bern was chosen as not to concentrate all the pow
er in Zürich's economic powerhouse & there was scepticism to Catholic and conservative Lucerne
In addition , Bern had a more central location , and was supported by the French-speaking cantons
due to proximity to them. However, the constitution doesn't define Bern as official capital of Switze
rland, but as the seat of government. It is considered the de facto-Capital even so. The city's popul
ation rose from about 5.000 in 15th century to about 12.000 by 1800 and to above 60.000 by 1900
Today Bern is a city of culture and history. It includes the entire Old Town (a UNESCO World Herita
ge Site). Some of the most notable in the Old Town include the Cathedral, the Zytglogge and Käfig
turm towers , and the "Holy Ghost Church", one of the largest Swiss Reformed churches in Switzer
land. Within the Old Town, there are eleven 16th-century fountains, most attributed to Hans Gieng.
The city has a prestigious university , the University of Bern. It also has many theatres & museums
incl. Bern Theatre, The Theatre of Effinger-Street, and Theatre am Käfigturn . Also Museum of Fine
Arts Berne , Historical Museum of Bern , and Einstein Haus ( a museum and a former residence of
famous scientist Albert Einstein ). Bern hosts several jazz festivals and the popular Gurtenfestival
Bern has plenty to offer visitors with hotels , cafes, restaurants and modern amenities aplenty. Sig
hts incl. the Zentrum Paul Klee (a museum dedicated to the artist), The Zibelemärit (onion market
, annual fair), aforementioned Käfigturm and Zytglogge (Clock Tower), the Parliament building and
square , Old Town, the Cathedral and churches , and several important monuments and fountains.
The Host venue for FSC #192 February 2025 is: the Stadion Wankdorf , in Bern , Switzerland. It is a
football stadium, the second largest all-seater football stadium in Switzerland, the home ground of
BSC Young Boys . The stadium was one of the venues for the 'UEFA Euro 2008'. Fifteen years after
the new stadium opened in 2005 (back then called Stade de Suisse) it was renamed Stadion Wank
dorf in June 2020 in an effort to return to the stadium's roots. The stadium capacity for football ga
mes is 32.000, for concerts it's 45.000. The stadium functions as a multi-venue arena & many fam
ous singers and bands have performed concerts there includ. Bruce Springsteen , Elton John, AC/
DC, Bon Jovi , Rammstein, & also Celine Dion. They are proud to host this evening’s edition of FSC.
Our wonderful Hosts this evening are:
Jennifer Bosshard, Nemo and Céline Dion
Jennifer Bosshard is a Swiss tv-presenter at Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF). She studied hi
story and German at the University of Basel , & her aim was to become a journalist . A tv internship
was the start of her versatile tv career , & activities . She is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
Nemo (Nemo Mettler) is a Swiss musician & singer-rapper, best known for winning ESC for Switze
rland in 2024. He identifies as non-binary, is 1st non-binary winner . In 2015 he released his 1st EP
‘Clownfisch’ . In 2018, he won 4 Swiss Music prizes . He is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
Céline Dion is a famous Canadian singer who has had a long career as an artist. She gained intern
ational recognition by winning the 1988 ESC where she represented Switzerland. She has released
countless albums and singles & is world renowned. She is proud to co-host this edition of the FSC
And we are now pleased to announce
The Opening Acts
Exclusive International Guest Appearances
Lady Gaga (USA)
Colonia (Croatia)
-
’Alejandro’
’Lažu oči moje’
