I miss the lovely celebrations and fireworks.
It’s only once a year.
Understandable due to Covid this year, but in normal times it’s a beautiful moment.

I love watching the firework displays and the celebrations too, it is kind of special.

What I do mind is the people letting off fireworks randomly in the days leading up to and just after the celebrations.
Fireworks can be terrifying for animals. Pet owners can put measures in place to safeguard them during the scheduled times but there are always irresponsible people who don’t respect the rules.

Really? A groan, Urs and stlemans? Do you not have anything better to do. So petty.

Let me clarify - this is nothing against an organized and safe display. Fireworks are beautiful. This is about little shitheads in my neighborhood setting off continuous noise bombs.

A dog in a nearby neighborhood escaped earlier this week when one of these shitheads set off a noise bomb. Poor thing has been gone for two or three days. Try as we might, sometimes pets escape given our best efforts.

But go ahead and groan because I’m restricting your freedom. Freedom to loose eyes and fingers and scare the shit out of people and animals. A big half peace sign to you both.

Happy Swiss Day, indeed.

It started classy and low key last night when a local attractive group of amateur cirkus performers suspended themselves above the lake on a loading port crain. They dove and moved to a live rock guitar impro. It was fab.

I sincerely wish all the Swiss citizens, potential immigrants and other hangers on, a very good day, our national day.

Stay safe, stay cool and stay healthy.

Happy Anniversary, Switzerland!

Folks here have started partying yesterday, fireworks too. It was quite pleasant to feel this atmosphere, neighbours downstairs are still partying it seems...

We don't have many plans for today, just enjoying the weather and having own anniversary on a very small scale...yesterday we still worked, OH was too tired to think of a grill. We enjoyed the neighbours' excitement.

What do other EFers do on this day?

Me too. Last year on this day we watched the fireworks at the lake, can't believe how many things have changed...

For the record, I can appreciate fireworks but generally speaking I do not enjoy them - seen one, seen them all more or less

My wife's best friend from Burundi effectively suffers from PTSD due to the war and while happy/proud to be Suisse she abhors the fireworks

One one hand we have the kids have a whale of a time. And then we have the people with cats/dogs etc that are getting a little emotional about the whole thing.

I sort of view fireworks as a sign of our freedom in this country to do what we want. But yes it does interfere with the latter groups serenity.

Yeah, different things for different people. I like fireworks, my family too.

If you can imagine, we celebrated (sort of) the French national day in France, what a show there even in that small town, impressive. And then two weeks later we were back here watching another fireworks show....even more impressive.

I'm sure it's a nightmare for dog/pet owners. I don't think they're aware of dogs and other pets and even so...

Can I just point out that this thread is in the Pets Corner; the intent is to discuss how to help our critters cope with what is a stressful - and sometimes downright dangerous - day.

No one is trying to take anything away from those who love (responsible) fireworks.

We owners of distressed pets are simply trying to support one another and share coping strategies.

Besides irresponsibly launching fireworks?

Whatever the problem, your language is unacceptable ennui. The kids don't know any better.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

If kids are old enough to be letting off fireworks they are definitely old enough to know better.

Old enough =/= actually knowing

Regardless, that language is beyond acceptable.

The new kittens sat through the thunderstorm with hardly a blink, but the fireworks scared the hell out of them.

They were not happy campers.

It seems to me that they are designed to be as loud as possible and not just look pretty. I wonder if the same visual effects are possible without the loud, repetitive bangs.

The kids should be allowed to celebrate their national day regardless whether uptight expats approve of it or not.

I’m not, however. If parents are letting their small children who don’t know any better set off potentially dangerous fireworks, the problem of is far worse than my language.

And you’re not the language police. At least you have no business policing my language. You should be ashamed of your pettiness. As should everyone who thanked your last Posts complaining about my language. Are you going for the Swiss Miss Manners?

Later, alligators......

The traditional way is with a bonfire. But for safety reasons those were banned this year. How dare the authorities deny children their national day celebrations?

Nobody is saying that they can’t but letting off fireworks randomly on days leading up to and days afterwards is not celebrating the national day, it’s being a nuisance and a potential danger to animals.


It’s not just expats who think that, all my Swiss friends and neighbours agree as do the animal welfare associations.

Letting them off on the day itself is to be expected as that’s the nature of the celebration.