1 August is the most important date in the Swiss calendar. This year, almost all of French-speaking Switzerland will celebrate it without firecrackers, without rockets, and without fireworks in the sky. The heatwave has pushed the fire risk to level 4 out of 5 in most cantons, and to level 5 in Geneva and much of Valais. The authorities have not minced their words.
In Valais, the ban has been in force since 25 June and applies to absolutely anything that produces a flame. The canton even banned the sale of fireworks in shops this week. Only Le Bouveret, on the shores of Lake Geneva, will be allowed to set off fireworks from the lake. In Vaud, the situation may change in the coming hours: if the risk level remains at 4, official fireworks displays from the lakes may be authorised. If it rises to 5, there will be a total ban. In Fribourg and the Jura, there is a complete ban, except for official fireworks displays on Lakes Murten and Neuchâtel. In Geneva, the formal decision had not yet been published yesterday, but it is expected to follow the same line as the rest.
What will certainly be everywhere are the speeches, the concerts and the children’s entertainment. The national holiday isn’t going away; it’s simply adapting. Although it’s hard to imagine 1 August without that moment when the children look up at the sky. The theory sounds lovely – until the drought hits.