Anastasia

Eurovision Song Contest 2013 - Malmö, Sweden - The Grand Final

The 58th Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest  was held last night at the Malmö, Arena  Sweden and was broadcast  live. More than 125 million people from all over the world watched the planet's biggest song contest. Beautiful 20-year-old Emmelie de Forest from Denmark won the contest with her song "Only Teardrops" scoring 281 points. That was one of my favourite songs. Emmelie, singing barefoot and sitting on the floor sang her heart out on stage and deeply touched Europe. She definitely deserved the first prize.

 

Although I had predicted that Greece would be in the top ten, I was pleasantly surprised to see that  Agathonas and Koza Mostra scored 152 points and came sixth!

 

On the other hand, I was very disappointed to see that Bonnie Tyler came 19th although she did better than Engelbert Humperdinck last year. She gave a brilliant performance and her song "Believe in Me" was a magical rock ballad. I wonder...what went wrong? The final result was decided by a fifty-fifty split between professional juries and televoting from all 39 participants regardless of whether they had  qualified for the Grand Final or not.

 

Bonnie Tyler sings Believe in Me for the UK

Photo Credit

Emmelie de Forest - The Winner

Photo Credit

The Malmo Arena

Photo Credit

The Greek Entry - Agathonas and Koza Mostra

Photo Credit

 

Here's how Europe voted:

1. Denmark: Emmelie de Forest, Only Teardrops - 281 points
2. Azerbaijan: Farid Mammadov, Hold Me - 234 points
3. Ukraine: Zlata Ognevich, Gravity - 214 points
4. Norway: Margaret Berger, I Feed You My Love - 191 points
5. Russia: Dina Garipova, What If - 174 points
6. Greece: Koza Mostra feat. Agathon Iakovidis, Alcohol Is Free - 152 points
7. Italy: Marco Mengoni, L'Essenziale - 126 points
8. Malta: Gianluca, Tomorrow - 120 points
9. Netherlands: Anouk, Birds - 114 points
10. Hungary: ByeAlex, Kedvesem - 84 points
11. Moldova: Aliona Moon, O mie - 71 points
12. Belgium: Roberto Bellarosa, Love Kills - 71 points
13. Romania: Cezar, It's My Life - 65 points
14. Sweden: Robin Stjernberg, You - 62 points
15. Georgia: Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani, Waterfall - 50 points
16. Belarus: Alyona Lanskaya, Solayoh - 48 points
17. Iceland: Eythor Ingi, Eg a lif - 47 points
18. Armenia: Dorians, Lonely Planet - 41 points
19. UK: Bonnie Tyler, Believe In Me - 23 points
20. Estonia: Birgit, Et uus saaks alguse - 19 points
21. Germany: Cascada, Glorious - 18 points
22. Lithuania: Andrius Pojavis, Something - 17 points
23. France: Amandine Bourgeois, L'enfer et moi - 14 points
24. Finland: Krista Siegfrids, Marry Me - 13 points
25. Spain: ESDM, Contigo hasta el final - 8 points
26. Ireland: Ryan Dolan, Only Love Survives - 5 points

The host country, Sweden, went out of their way to offer the world  a glamorous show and great entertainment. I would like to congratulate Sweden and the city of Malmö on this impeccable evening which started with an Olympic style flag march where the artists entered the Arena to the anthem We Write The Story, written by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus.The latest IT technology was used to give the show that ultimate touch of perfection.

Eurovision Song Contest 2013 - Malmö, Sweden - The Second Semi-Final

The second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 took place last night and was aired live from Malmö, Sweden. The last 10 countries to go through to tomorrow's Grand Final are:

 

The Butterfly of the Swedish TV for Eurovision 2013 summarises the Eurovision spirit nicely. We are one in Europe.

 

- Hungary

- Azerbaijan

- Georgia

- Romania

- Norway

- Armenia

- Iceland

- Finland

- Malta

- Greece

Oh yes! I am so glad Greece made it through. It's an amazing song which I loved so much and deep down I knew it would qualify for the Final. Albania, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Israel, San Marino and Switzerland all failed to make it through to the Final. Just like yesterday, my vote will go to Greece tomorrow but I also liked some other songs like the songs from Denmark, UK and Bonnie Tyler, Estonia and Malta. UK along with Germany, Italy, France, Spain and host nation Sweden automatically qualify for the Grand Final on Saturday, May 18 2013. And may the best be the winner.

 

Bonnie Tyler represents the UK with the song "Believe in Me" Isn't she ageless and divine?

Eurovision Song Contest 2013 - Malmö, Sweden - The First Semi-Final

Being a Eurovision fan, I watched the first semi-final on Tuesday night. I wasn't surprised Cyprus did not make it to the Grand Final on Saturday. I hated both the song and the singer's poor performance. Despina Olympiou was simply miserable despite her effort to ...sing! The countries that got the ticket to the Grand Final are:

Estonia

Denmark

Russia

Ukraine

The Netherlands

Belgium

Belarus

Moldova

Ireland

Lithuania

 

In less than half-hour tonight, there's the second semi-final and I hope that Greece gets through because the Greek song is a hit! I love it! Good luck Agathona and Koza Mostra!

 

Smoking Ban in Cyprus: Much Ado About Nothing!

A NUMBER of MPs have co-signed a law proposal to amend the current smoking ban, which hopes to offer venues the right to have separate smoking areas.

According to DISY MP Andreas Themistocleous, who prepared the proposal, the current ban is not being adhered to, with members of the public smoking freely in entertainment venues – especially bars and nightclubs - in direct violation of the law, which came into effect in January this year.

The deputy felt it should be up to the public to decide whether they want to smoke or not – as long as they are not affecting anyone else.

“When the law was being passed, the margins were left for amendments,” he explained yesterday. “MPs promised to those who were reacting that the law would be implemented, a few months would pass and any weaknesses spotted would lead to amendments.”

He said the DISY, EDEK and DIKO MPs’ proposal offered venue owners the right to offer up to 50 per cent of the area to smokers – provided that the venue has an area of 70 square metres or more and the designated smoking area is completely separate and cut off.

“Our proposal for the smoking law is complete with justifications, it is balanced and it affects in no way whatsoever the rights of non smokers,” Themistocleous explained. “One thing is for sure: if the law remains as it is, it isn’t being implemented. So what is the use of this law? It needs to be amended. What we achieved here is a money-making machine for the government.”

The MP reasoned that it was illogical to allow the legal importation and sale of tobacco products, and then ban people from smoking them.

“Parliament can’t prevent members of the public from creating a club, where they could use this product,” he pointed out.

Ireland, Norway, Italy and Britain are among the states that implemented full smoking bans successfully.

However, Themistocleous suggested Cyprus follows the example of states such as Belgium and Bulgaria, where the smoking laws are not so severe.

“The seven MPs who co-signed the proposal feel the need for amendments,” he said. “Amendments that don’t affect non-smokers and don’t put their health or dignity at risk,” he added.

A prime example of how the current law has failed, said Themistocleous, was that there had been an increase in sales of tobacco products in the first four months of 2010, compared to the year before.

“The state’s income from taxes on tobacco products – without these being increased or altered in any way – reached €59 million in the first half of 2010, compared to €54 million in 2009,” he pointed out. “This means we have achieved the exact opposite from what we hoped to achieve with this law.”

The relevant law today is not being implemented, said Themistocleous. “A quick stroll around the island’s nightclubs will show you that from 11 pm onwards, youths are smoking freely.”

The DISY MP maintained there should be a place in society for non smokers as well as smokers. “I won’t go into the ethics of whether someone should smoke or not; obviously we shouldn’t smoke,” said the keen smoker.

“But if someone is to quit something, this is something that can’t be enforced with orders or laws. It is the personal life of each person and in a complete democracy, anyone can affect their health as much as they like. Anyway, there may be many other things that could be a lot more harmful than smoking.”

Themistocleous admitted there were many laws that were passed in parliament but had never been implemented, “due to their extremity or hollowness”.

The law proposal, which was submitted to the House Health Committee, and is still to be discussed, was co-signed by DISY’s George Georgiou, Soteris Sampson and Andreas Kyprianou, as well as DIKO’s Neophytos Constantinou and Zacharias Koulias, and Rikkos Erotokritou of EVROKO.

by Jacqueline Agathocleous

Published in Cyprus Mail on October 16, 2010

via www.cyprus-mail.com

Last night, I watched on TV a debate on the "severe" smoking ban in Cyprus which came into effect on January 1, 2010.  The gist of the debate was that two years later the smoking ban doesn't work in Cyprus . Consequently, both smokers,  non-smokers and many government officials are disatisfied with the law. Many breeches of the law have been reported, yet the police don't seem to be in contol! Now, it seems, we're looking for amendments to the law.

Much ado about nothing, if you ask me. I am a smoker and the ban made me cut down a lot! I don't have a problem to go outside and smoke if I feel like it. But I do hate people smoking indoors in public places and NO ONE tells them off!   What's more, the ban does not consider smokers as second-rate citizens. Yet, I hear that there are indoor smoking areas in many EU countries such as Germany, UK, Austria, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian Countries, Hungary, Spain - the exceptions being Cyprus, Italy and France.   OK, here in Cyprus no one can smoke in any public place. You can only smoke at home or outside. I believe that the smoking ban shouldn't be amended.  I also believe that non-smokers shouldn't be forced to work in smoking areas or breathe in our smoke! To me  this is a crime.I also think that the Greeks and Greek Cypriots should follow the law.  The law does not only protect non-smokers from our bad habit, but it also helps us smokers to cut down - don't you think so?

Is there a smoking ban law in your country? How do you feel about it?

 

 

   

CNN Doesn't Know Where Cyprus Is!

Photo Credit

CNN International has been left red faced after reporting on APOEL FC’s Champions League victory with a map of Nicosia in Sicily in the background.

“We are sorry about this error,” a CNN official said in an email to the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “The story ran once and was immediately corrected.”

Nicosia team APOEL made history on Wednesday, when it became the first Cypriot team to make the last eight of any European competition, after beating Olympique Lyon and making it to the Champions League quarter finals.

CNN confused the local capital with the small Sicilian city in the province of Enna, southern Italy, which has a population of under 15,000.

 

Source

Christmas in Vienna

Saint Stephen's Cathedral

If you asked me to describe Vienna in one single word, I'd hesitate a lot. It's hard to find one word to describe the city where Europe's heart beats fast. Vienna is definitely a multi-faceted city: romantic, cultural, modern, musical, magical, surprising, light-hearted, tranquil, safe, peaceful, sophisticated, warm and friendly, awe-inspiring. This was my first impression of possibly the most seductive city in Europe.

Day 1 - Wednesday, December 22, 2010

I spent most of the morning packing while Alkis was at work - yes, it was his own choice to go to work. I made a mental note while packing: google "workaholic and cure!" Alkis came back at 1:00 pm, we had a snack for lunch and then called a taxi to drive us to the airport. I hadn't flown Austrian Airlines before and, I must admit, that was the best flight I've ever had in years! I completely forgot all about my fear of flying during the 3-hour flight to Vienna, Austria. Must be this delicious Viennese coffee they served after a light lunch!

Just arrived - Vienna International Airport

We arrived on time - 7:30 pm local time - and couldn't wait to meet the...snow! I don't usually like snow but when you live on a sunsplashed Mediterranean island, you sometimes long for  white Christmas. Once out of  Vienna International Airport, I could only feel the ...cold.  Minus 2 C. And NO SNOW! The taxi driver said there had been a lot of snow the previous week but it hadn't snowed for the last four days! When most of Europe was literally frozen - covered with snow to such an extent that most European airports closed, causing havoc, Vienna was spared! During the taxi ride to our hotel, Alkis asked me not to complain too much about not having snow. We were lucky to be in Vienna when other airports such as Heathrow in London and Roissy -Charles De Gaulle in France - not to mention Germany - had closed because of the snow.

Twenty minutes later, we were shown to one of the best rooms of Vienna Marriott Hotel situated near Saint Stephen's Square. We unpacked and soon afterwards we went for a walk in the city centre where Alkis kept taking photos of the fabulous Christmas tree and the Christmas decorations at Saint Stephen's Square.

I guess Alkis did his....best as a photographer! We ended our first night in Vienna at Huth's - a Viennese restaurant where I tried the boiled beef roll! I can't say I loved it but I do like trying the local cuisine when I travel.

Day 2 - Thursday, December 23 2010

After breakfast, we walked to the city centre, did some window shopping and had coffee and Sacher Torte at Sacher Cafe.

Vienna Marriot Hotel

Day 3 -  Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve. We decided to spend yet another day exploring the city centre in Vienna. We also did some Christmas shopping and bought each other presents. In the evening , we enjoyed one of the most beautiful Christmas Eves I've ever had - filled with Christmas Carols, Mozart, and Strauss Waltzes. The food was delicious! I loved the parfait of smoked trout with crayfish and...honey cucumbers, the Christmas goose with caramelized chestnuts and red cabbage and all the desserts!

The Christmas Eve Buffet at Vienna Marriott Hotel

Christmas in Vienna - Vienna Marriott Hotel

Christmas Eve 2010

Day 4 - Saturday, December 25 2010

Christmas Day. Having attended the Christmas Mass at Saint Stephen's Cathedral, we had a coffee at Sacher Cafe and then went on to see the Vienna Boys' Choir sing Christmas Carols. They were beautiful!.Then we had lunch at Huth Da Moritz - one of the best Italian restaurants in Vienna.

In the evening , we enjoyed a good Igler ( red austrian wine) and candlelit dinner at the hotel.

Day 5 - Sunday, December 26 2010

Bratislava, Slovakia is only a one hour train ride from Vienna. So, being adveturous, Alkis and I caught the train to Bratislava and then all ...the wrong buses to the city centre! After having toured Bratislava on various bus rides, we got off a bus at the airport and asked the bus driver how to get to the city centre. He didn't speak English or German or French or Greek but he was so helpful! He told us in his language the bus number .... osso sometihing. I thought osso could be eight and said so to Alkis. Then Alkis drew in the air  83. The slovakian bus driver smiled and said YES! Well, it was the only English word he knew. And he showed us which bus to take in order to get the 83 to the city centre. At the bus stop, a young lady whose English was almost perfect clearly explained how to get to the city centre. And so we did. But it was freezing cold! Minus 4, pretty much like in Vienna but there was a cold wind that made things worse. So, that's all we saw in Bratislava.

Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, Slovakia

Day 6 - Monday, December 27, 2010

Salzburg. Being a great Mozart lover and a great Sound of Music freak, I couldn't leave Austria without visiting Salzburg. We set off at 7:00 am on a day trip tour. We were 6 people  - 5 Greeks and an Australian! AND Peter - our Austrian driver and guide. We had a stop at Linz for a coffee break. Peter explained that not far from there was Hitler's birthplace - Braunau-am Inn (Upper Austria). He went on to say that Adolph Hitler went to school in Linz before leaving Austria for Germany. And YES! Snow at last !

Linz, Austria

Next stop: Mondsee - The Moonlight Lake - the lake where part of The Sound of Music was filmed.  I couldn't believe I was looking at that very lake where Maria and the children fell into the water! We had a brief stop to take pictures. But I think that even the best photographer will be unable to capture so much beauty!

Next stop: Wolfgang Lake and Saint Gilgen - the village where Mozart's mother was born.

And finally, the beautiful town of Salzburg. We visited Mozart's birth house and the castle. I only wish we had some more time to visit the house of The Sound of Music located at about 25 km outside Salzburg.

Salzburg Castle

Salzburg Cemetery

That was the place where the Von Trapp family escaped from the Nazis in The Sound of Music. Fox wasn't allowed to film in the cemetery, so they made an exact copy of it in the studios.

Day 7 - Tuesday 28 December 2010

On our last day in Vienna we visited the Hofburg Palace. What was for 700 years the residence of the Habsburg Dynasty - to be more accurate from the 13th century to 1918 -is in fact a cluster of buildings erected at different times and in different styles. What I loved most was the Sisi Museum. Photos were strictly prohibited in both the palace and the museum but here's the main entrance.

Vienna, the Austrian capital, sits on the banks of the Danube, right at the foot of the last slopes of the Alps and is surrounded by that large green belt made up by the Vienna woods. Life in what was once the capital of one of the most powerful 19th century empires  unfurls at the pace of a slow waltz. At the same time, it is the city of lively flea markets and modern fashion stores, of Sachertorte, appfel strudel, schnitzel, the unique viennese coffee and select pastry shops, of the Habsburgs and the headquarters of different international organizations. Now you see why it is impossible to describe Vienna in one single word.

The Eurovision Song Contest - Part I

I rarely watch TV but there's one show I never miss: The Eurovision Song Contest. I've been watching this show since I was 12. When I was a student in Switzerland, all my Greek friends would gather together at my place to watch the show and cheer for Greece and Cyprus, of course. I'm not really a respected Eurovision fan as I don't know or remember the details of 54 yearly shows! Considering I was not born when the Contest started in 1956, here is some more info about the show.

Already for 54 years, the Eurovision Song Contest is Europe's favourite TV show. After more than five decades featuring some 1,100 songs, the contest has become a modern classic, strongly embedded into Europe's collective mind. Read on to find out how it all started over half a century ago...

After 54 years, the database with Eurovision Song Contest facts and figures, stories and anecdotes is huge! A true, die-hard fan knows how many points Luxembourg got in 1980 (56), who came last in 1972 (Malta, with 48 points) and how many times the Netherlands got 12 points in 1996 (once, from Austria). Because no one can expect you to become a living Eurovision Song Contest encyclopedia, Eurovision.tv takes you through the contest's history in fast forward. It's all you need to know before you dive into the rich history of the Eurovision Song Contest...

How it all Began

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was formed on 12th February 1950 by 23 broadcasting organisations from Europe and the Mediterranean at a conference in Devon, United Kingdom. It was on the 6th of June, 1954, that Montreux became the venue for the first transmission by the EBU's Eurovision Network of the Narcissus Festival and its flower-bedecked procession floats. The first Eurovision viewers eagerly watched on four million television sets in homes, bars, and shop windows in Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

An Ambitious Project

In 1955, the EBU came up with the idea of an international song contest whereby countries, represeted by their respective public broadcasters, would participate in one television show, to be transmitted simultaneously in all represented nations. This was conceived during a meeting in Monaco in 1955 by Marcel Bezençon, a Frenchman working for the EBU. The competition was based upon the Italian Festival di Sanremo, held for the first time in 1951, and was also seen as a technological experiment in live television: In those days, it was a very ambitious project to join many countries together in a wide-area international network. Satellite television did not exist yet at that time, and the Eurovision Network comprised a terrestrial microwave network. Le Grand-Prix Eurovision de la Chanson Européenne was born!

The Success

Without interruption, the Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcast every year since 1956, which makes it one of the longest-running television programmes in the world. In 2003, the first ever Junior Eurovision Song Contest took place, while the Eurovision Song Contest celebrated her 50th anniversity 2005. Viewers picked ABBA's Waterloo as best ever Eurovision Song Contest song. In 2007, Europe could see the first ever Eurovision Dance Contest.

The 2008 running saw a record of 43 represented countries, as Azerbaijan and San Marino joined the family. The competition has been broadcast throughout Europe, but also in Australia, Canada, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States, even though these countries do not participate. In 2010, the format will be launched outside of Europe so that various other parts of the world will be introduced to the concept behind the show.

via The Eurovision Song Contest - Oslo 2010

In the Eurovision Song Contest 2005, our Elena Paparizou gave Greece the first prize for the first time!

And last year's winner was Alexander Rybak from Oslo, Norway, who enchanted Europe with his Fairy Tale

Cyprus and Denmark top the EU garbage heap - Cyprus Mail

CYPRIOTS Danes and the Irish produce the most waste per capita in the whole European Union, while the Czechs, Poles and Slovaks the least, data from the EU's statistics office showed yesterday.

Eurostat said one Dane produced on average 802 kg of municipal waste in 2008, the highest rate in the 27-nation bloc. Cypriots generated 770 kg of waste on average – 10 kilos per person more than the average American - and the Irish 733 kg.

However the data also showed that even though Danes produce more waste, Denmark burned 54 per cent of its waste, recycled a further 24 per cent and composted 18 per cent, putting only 4 per cent of it into landfills.

Cyprus, however, stowed 87 per cent of the rubbish in landfills and recycled only the remaining 13 per cent, compared to 48 per cent in Germany – the top country for recycling in the EU.

The island was in sixth highest position when it came to landfill dumping. But taking into account the fact that the other countries ahead of Cyprus - five eastern European states - only produce half the amount of rubbish per person, the situation changes.

The Czechs produced 306 kilos of rubbish per capita, the Poles 320 kilos and the Slovaks 328 kilos.

The figures leave Cyprus clearly in the landfill lead along with Malta, which although produces 100 kilos per person less, throws 97 per cent on landfills and recycles only three per cent.

Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou said yesterday the difference between Cyprus and Denmark when it came to the waste issue was that the latter had efficient system to dispose of it. “This is the difference. It’s what you do with the waste after you produce it,” he said.

“Other countries have policies to cut waste, strict checks strict recycling laws. Not anyone who wants is allowed to dump waste.

He said that in other countries companies, supermarkets and others who produce a lot of waste are not allowed to dump them in landfills. They are forced to take them for recycling.

“They are very strict,” he said. “We have landfills and we dump whatever we want.”

Last week DISY deputy Kyriacos Hadjiyiannis described Cyprus as an “open landfill” during a House

Environment Committee.

Chairman Andreas Fakontis said 113 landfills are currently in operation across Cyprus and there was absolutely no policy for scaling back the production of refuse. He said no measures are taken to cut waste and save money by having smaller waste processing units.

He also said abandoned landfills were one of the most serious environmental problems in Cyprus. “While they are closed, they continue to be sources of pollution; the ground continues to be contaminated; the aquifers; toxic substances are produced and foul smell,” Fakontis said.

Fakontis added that people continue to dump rubbish in these landfills illegally.

The House wants inspectors who will be responsible to penalise those who dump waste illegally by imposing a substantial on-the-spot fine.

Fakontis said the government has given its okay but these ‘green’ inspectors have not been appointed yet.

The committee said it would send a letter to Interior Minister Neoclis Sylikiotis in a bid to expedite the procedure and tackle the problem.

via www.cyprus-mail.com

I am very willing to recycle but there are NO recycle bins in my neighbourhood. And I don't always have the time to drive to the city centre for recycling. I believe that the government should place recycle bins everywhere in Larnaca. Just like in Germany!

Photo Credit - Cyprus Mail

Switzerland or A Paradise on Earth

The popularized image of Switzerland is almost too perfect and timeless: spectacular Alpine scenery, cozy mountain chalets, dazzling ski runs, window boxes spilling over with red geraniums, tidy cities set on serene lakes, elegant grand hotels. Though you'll undoubtedly encounter these along the way, they don't present a complete picture of this modern country. Switzerland may guard its neutrality and assert its independence, but it is very much an active participant in the world.

If you're going for the scenery or for the skiing, there are few places that can equal it (in quality or high prices). And there are few places as clean, safe and orderly as Switzerland. Likewise, few countries have such diversity in terms of culture and language: German is prevalent in Zurich and the northern, central and eastern regions; French in Geneva and the western region; Italian in Lugano and the southern region; and Romansh in St. Moritz and the southestern region. Despite its varied cultures and linguistic traditions, Switzerland is one of the most politically and economically stable countries in the world.

Switzerland is also known as "Confoederatio Helvetica", therefore the abbreviation CH. "Confoederatio" stands for "confederation", "Helvetica" derives from the Latin word "Helvetier", the name of the people who lived in the area which became later Switzerland.

The white cross on the red back  has a religious background. The cross represents the cross, Jesus was put on, the red colour represents his blood.
Each arm of the cross has to be of the same size and must be 1/6 longer than wide.

The capital of Switzerland is Bern City, also the capital of the canton.

Year	Fact
1848	The Swiss Federation changes from a Union of States to a Confederation. Its first Federal Constitution ("Bundesverfassung") is set up.
1864	Foundation of the International Red Cross
1872	Start of the construction of the railway across the alps ("Gotthardbahn").
1882	Opening of the "Gotthardbahn".
1932	Swiss physician Auguste Piccard sets record when he reaches a height of 16'940 m with his balloon. This was the first ballon equipped with a preassure cabin.
1-feb-1959	Vaud was the first canton to give women the vote, followed by Neuchâtel (27-sep-1959) and Genève (6-mar-1960).
1960	Jacques Piccard (son of Auguste Piccard mentioned above) sets record when he dives together with american Don Walsh in a Bathyscaphe (special type of submarine) called "Trieste" as low as 10'916 m below sea level.
1971	Swiss people vote for the women's suffrage.
1978	Some villages leave the state Bern and found the new state Jura.
2-oct-1984	The combined federal assembly ("Vereinigte Bundesversammlung") elected Elisabeth Kopp as the first woman as Bunderat (executive authority). Ms. Kopp had to step back on 12.1.1989 due to some possible illegal activities of her husband.
30-apr-1989	Appenzell Ausserrhoden was the last canton to give women the vote; Appenzell Innerrhoden had to be forced by the Swiss federal court ("Bundesgericht") to give women the vote (27-nov-1990).
1992	Swiss people vote against becoming a member of the EEA (european economic area).
31-jul-1992	Claude Nicollier (born 2-sep-1944) takes off on board of the space shuttle Atlantis (ST-46) and becomes the first Swiss in space.
10-mar-1993	The combined federal assembly ("Vereinigte Bundesversammlung") elected Ruth Dreifuss as the second woman as Bunderat (executive authority).

The scent of alpine flowers and spicy herbs is in the air again and the faint ting-a-ling of the cow and the goat bells accompanies hikers from alp to alp. Mountains and valleys are magnificently decked out. The natural experience of Switzerland is unique and so varied that you can hike and experience new things for weeks: snow-reliable mountains, slopes galore, winter hiking through fairytale landscapes, and resorts packed with character.

In some parts of Switzerland, people still live their lives in symbiosis with nature - a close interaction that continues to benefit both. For countless generations, the farming population has lovingly tended and vitalized the charming Alpine landscape. Some of the farmers know everything about local mushrooms and are experts at their cultivation, others seem to speak the language of marmots. It's truly fascinating to see how a mountain farmer leads his daily life.

Mysterious moors, rushing waterfalls cascading down the mountains, jagged rock formations, and lush Alpine meadows covered with flowers never fail to enchant the onlooker. Quaint inns devoid of luxury - but with all the more charm and ambience - offer more than just accommodation. Here you will find total relaxation, leisure time to breathe deeply, to marvel at the simple things in life, which make Switzerland so wonderful.

Eurospeak

We may laugh at hotel notices like "Our wines leave you nothing to hope for" (Switzerland) or "Please leave your values at the front desk" (France), but Britain is more closely linked to Europe than many people realise. The country's mother tongue is fast becoming the universal foreign language of Europeans. Part of the reasons for its popularity is that English is the "pop-speak": many European artists and groups make recordings in English or besprinkle their lyrics with catchy English words like baby, maybe, happy.

In the early 1980s, the French Minister of Culture, Jacques Lang I think, wanted to restrict the number of British and American records that radio stations and discos could play, but had to abandon the idea because they would all have gone bankrupt. Not surprisingly,many words to do with an Anglo-American youth-culture have passed into the languages of Europe. Russians play their diski and Italians listen to long playings. Russian teenagers put on their shoozy (trainers) to joggen (German) or to watch hoki (Hungarian = ice-hockey) .

Another strain of Eurospeak arises,indirectly, from the motivation of many young Europeans to improve thair job prospects - since learning English is a passport to  wider horizons or higher status. Career ads in many European newspapers are often formulated in English and often demand ..."a working knowledge of English"! I was surprised to read in a French newspaper - La Libération - that English is the official language in Spain. When I visited Spain a couple of years ago, no one at the hotel spoke or understood English! It seems that French, though traditionally influential there, is fast declining in prestige. In Germany, Greece and Cyprus English is big business, whether in boom or crash. At street level, we can see fastfood, cocktail bar and check-outs.

Although there are seven other official languages in the EU, English is by far the most commonly used. , and English Euro-jargon abounds among the Eurocrats and Euro-MPs in their Euro-quangos. Wittingly or unwittingly, the French and Swedish, Germans , Greeks and Dutch are being exposed to English in all aspects of their lives, in all media, and are fast becoming sort of ..bilingual!

Not everyone sees Euro English as a welcome development. Most aggressive have been the tactics at a high level of the French government. There are vigilant committees which actively recommend the replacement of English words by purer, native forms : jumbo-jet by gros-porteur, fast food by prêt-à-manger download by télécharger etc. Some effort to exclude English words from the native language has also been made in Greece. Ταχυφαγεία instead of fast food, Ιστιολόγιο instead of blog. Κυκλικός κόμβος instead of round-about, σταμάτα instead of  STOP (on the road).

For many years, the British banned the Irish from using their own language (Gaelic). There are now very few people who speak Gaelic as their mother tongue. To my mind this was one of the worst forms of crime - linguistic imperialism. And I applaud the effort of European governments to try and protect the purity of their national language.