At this very moment, 15 Swiss Gift Sets are on their way to the lucky winners of the swissQuiz. We were delighted that the competition proved so popular – we received a total of 2920 entries. It would seem that Switzerland is definitely "in" and that are alot of people out there who are keen to own a little piece of Switzerland!

Thanks to everyone who entered the competition!

With impeccable timing, our summer newsletter is here, as is the updated Swiss Special on watches.

Did you know that only Swiss watches have made it to the moon? That the clock with the longest second hand in the world is in Geneva? Or that French-speaking Switzerland is the heartland of the Swiss watchmaking industry? If not, then it may be the right time to delve into the fascinating world of Swiss watchmaking.

From 24 to 26 July, the village of Nendaz, nestled high in the Swiss Alps (altitude: 2,200 metres), will provide the picturesque setting for the 8th International Alphorn Festival. Some of you might be surprised to learn that interest in this ancient wood instrument is not limited to Switzerland. All across the world, people have been charmed by the hauntingly beautiful sound of the alphorn, making their way every year to the canton of Valais to attend this unique folk festival.

But there is even more to Swiss folk music than the Alphorn. There is also yodelling (of course), and the "Schwyzerörgeli". Click on the following link to find out more or cast your eye through our DVD "Customs and Traditions in Switzerland".

Switzerland is definitely the place to be this summer. Wherever you go, there’s sure to be a festival… Whether you’re a movie buff or simply a star spotter, don’t miss the Locarno International Film Festival this August. For rock fans who also love the great outdoors, then head to the open-air festival in the Val Lumnezia (valley of light) in Graubünden. For more great summer ideas, take a look at our partner site www.ch.ch or the Swiss Tourism website.

In 2010, Shanghai will play host to the World Expo. From 1 May to 31 October, visitors will have the chance to take in exhibits from 200 countries and international organisations which deal with the concept of “Better City, Better Life”, the theme of the 2010 exhibition.

Switzerland will also be there. The Swiss Pavilion will be home to a thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition on “rural-urban interaction”, a sub-theme of EXPO 2010. Occupying an area of 4,000m2, Switzerland’s contribution is not only highly original, but also manages the difficult feat of rendering sustainability tangible. It weaves together technology and nature, the city and the countryside to form one harmonious whole. If you would like to find out more, check out the official website: http://www.swisspavilion.ch/en/home.html