Swiss National Day speech template (Switzerland)
Published 10 October 2026 · Date checked on 5 October 2026 · Written by the Cue Card Converter team at EventProgrammer, event production professionals
Swiss National Day is celebrated on 1 August. It commemorates the Federal Charter of 1291, an alliance between the valley communities of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden that is traditionally regarded as the founding of the Swiss Confederation. Towns and villages mark the evening with bonfires, lanterns, fireworks and speeches, and many farms host a 1 August brunch. A ceremony is also held on the Rütli meadow above Lake Lucerne, where the founding alliance is traditionally said to have been sworn.
- Date
- August 1
- Next dates
- Sunday 1 August 2027
Tuesday 1 August 2028
Wednesday 1 August 2029 - Country
- Switzerland
- Tone
- Celebratory
- Typical events
- Village and commune celebrations, farm brunches, Swiss clubs and embassies abroad, and company gatherings for Swiss staff and guests on 1 August.
- Length
- 155 spoken words · about 1 min at 130 words a minute · 4 cue cards
The Swiss National Day speech, ready as cue cards
A complete host script in 4 cards, about 1 minutes of speaking. Open it in the editor to add your names, change the card size or highlights, and print.
- GRÜEZI, BONSOIR, BUONASERA, ALLEGRA1 / 4
Good evening, and welcome to {Venue}. I'm {Your name}, and on behalf of {Organisation} it's a pleasure to celebrate Swiss National Day with you. Four national languages, twenty-six cantons, and one shared evening under the red flag with the white cross. - AN OLD ALLIANCE2 / 4
In 1291, the people of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden agreed to stand by one another. Their charter is remembered as the starting point of the Swiss Confederation. More than seven centuries later, the idea still feels familiar: different communities, choosing to work together. - THE FIRST OF AUGUST ADDRESS3 / 4
In towns and villages across Switzerland, speeches are being given tonight. Ours comes from {Speaker, title}, and I am delighted to hand over the microphone. Please give our speaker a warm welcome.
[APPLAUSE – SPEAKER TO THE PODIUM] - THE SWISS PSALM4 / 4
Thank you. Please rise for the national anthem, the Swiss Psalm.
[NATIONAL ANTHEM]
Now the lanterns are lit and the bonfire is ready. Enjoy the evening, keep a safe distance from the fireworks, and happy National Day to all of you.
Red is used only for names, titles, organisations, dates, times and section headings. Replace the words in {curly brackets} with your own details; lines in [SQUARE BRACKETS] are stage directions and are not read aloud.
How to adapt it
- Switzerland has four national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Greeting guests in each, as in the first card, is a well-received touch; adapt the order to your audience.
- The Swiss Psalm exists in all four national languages. Print the first verse in the language most of your guests speak, or play an instrumental version if you are unsure.
- If you plan a bonfire or fireworks, check local rules first; cantons and communes may restrict them during dry summer weather.
- Ask your guest speaker to keep the address to about five minutes and to focus on community and shared values rather than current political debates.
Print and rehearse
“Edit and print these cards” opens the script in the free cue card maker, where you can choose A5, 4 × 6 or 3 × 5 inch cards, print several per sheet with cut lines or export PDF, PowerPoint and Word, and rehearse full screen in practice mode. To write your own programme around it, see how to write an MC script and the run of show template.
Sources
Date and background checked on 5 October 2026 against: National holiday and national anthem. Customs vary between organisations and regions; always follow the official programme of your event.