Switzerland’s Birthday with Swiss Family Masueger

The Swiss celebrate their national day each August 1 and last year’s party was extra special for CHEERS CEO Claudia Masueger. This was Claudia’s first national day with her family in 20 years!

Friends and family gathered at the mountain house the Maseugers have called home for 200 years. This house has no electricity, but it does have a unique energy, a timeless power that comes from the mountains and provides both revitalization and tranquility.

It also has no shortage of animal friends. Mother Erika was kept busy taking care of eight chickens around the home. She seemed to have learned their language, too, as they followed her wherever she went.

Mother Erika

The chicken ensured there were fresh eggs for breakfast just as the cows provided fresh milk. Children especially love these animals, including our young friend Dillon, who tried to mimic the cows and put his tongue inside his nose.

Living in the fresh mountain air, surrounded by nature, is healthy and feels so good.

The morning bath in the fountain at the Masueger’s home is a tradition for family and guests.

During the day kids and adults have a lot of fun sledging down the grass hills.

The family also collects wood from nearby forests and heaps it high for a bonfire on August 1. It is a tradition, especially in the countryside, to have such a fire for national day. 

And as families in Switzerland are competitive, everyone wants to have the biggest and nicest fire. A few fireworks are also used to start the evening.

In the evening, father Tieni prepares raclette -- a dish of melted cheese that is often served with potatoes -- on the fireplace behind the house in a traditional way.

And he also sometimes prepares pizza while Erika grills fish in the fireplace.

And, of course, for a family with four generations in the wine business, a few good bottles are never far away!

As there is no fridge in the mountains, drinks and food are kept nice and cool thanks to the spring water in the fountain.

Finally, national day means the national anthem, which is played across the country in all sorts of ways, including on the alphorn.

Playing the national anthem with alphorn

Athelete hanging up the Swiss flag with body