Hope you've been having a fun summer. We have!
Most of the fun in question has to do with the launch of our new lifestyle section: Helvetica Bold. Helvetica Bold is your portal to all things "Globally Swiss". We've got our eye on Switzerland and Swiss heritage, and also the Swiss flux of culture and influence. This is nothing new, our name comes from a variation of the 1956 font, Helvetica, from type-designers Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffman of Zurich. Their font Helvetica, became extremely popular with designers worldwide, and to date is easily the most utilized typeface of all time. More importantly, Helvetica came to epitomize Swiss International Style—a graphic aesthetic that emphasizes cleanliness, readability and objectivity. Which is exactly our goal.
Speaking of Swiss International style, the focus of this season's newsletter is on Swiss international relations. Switzerland has become more diverse than ever and who better crystallizes this than Swiss NBA rising star Thabo Sefolosha. We talked to him about living in America and growing up Swiss. We profile the new book Protokoll by Geneva based photographer, Christian Lutz, who followed Swiss diplomats around for three years and captured with a critical and discerning eye the theater of codes and ritual in the diplomatic arena...
We will be offering a signed copy of Protokoll for the best anecdotal story posted on the community pages. Watch out for details in our CONTEST section.
In a kindred vein, we are featuring the LandesMuseum of Zurich's wonderfully inventive exhibit On a Delicate Mission which catalogs the last few centuries of Swiss diplomacy. Erdmann Schmocker, creator of the Helvetica Americana map has devoted 35 years researching Swiss settlements in the U.S—we devoted less time than that speaking with him, but we're glad to say, he's imparted some wisdom which we by way of proxy impart to you in "A Tale of Six Berns."
From the world high politics to grassroots diplomacy, the New York duo SwissMiss have created a fantastical mélange of revved-up alpine folk songs with a neo-bossanova gloss. We caught up with Eliane one part of the duo after their American West Coast tour. Next we asked culinary critic Adrian Iten the burning question: What is the trouble with fondue? Adrian breaks down Swiss Identity via it's food culture.
Many of you have been active in the community forums and have posted some fantastic stories. Some honorable mentions include Scent of My City, Tyger's beautifully lyrical reminiscence of her Zurich years. We ourselves have featured a mystical gliding tour of the "Cape of Zurich". One of our newer members, known as the Rec+or has constantly made us smile with his incisive wit and observations. He shared one of his new tenets with us, "If you could buy Swiss, why wouldn't you?" Get a copyright on that one Rec+or! If that's not genius marketing, then what is? We also liked his Observations About Switzerland. One entry, My Brother , was submitted by a young member via his mother, Rutli. This prompted us to create a Young People section where young people can post their stories, artwork and photos. We're looking forward to hearing from our younger members—so please get them busy!
By all means delve into this summer edition of Swiss Roots and Helvetica Bold, and stay tuned! We'll be back with more!
Your Friend,
Ms. Helvetia
