The Swiss in the Netherlands
From mercenaries to students: Swiss people in the Netherlands – a centuries-old bond between two countries that continues to this day.
As early as the 15th century, lively contacts developed along the Rhine route between the Netherlands and the Swiss cantonal cities, initially primarily with Basel. The Reformation brought about and fostered this lively exchange between the two countries. Between 1815 and 1914, around 7,600 Swiss men served as mercenaries in the Dutch colonial army, often in search of work and adventure. In the 19th century, Dutch ports were important hubs for Swiss people hoping to find work or wishing to emigrate overseas. Even following famine crises (e.g. in 1817), Swiss people sought their fortune in Holland, though many remained destitute and were supported by wealthy and well-connected Swiss residents in the Netherlands. A so-called ‘support fund’, which can be seen as a successor to this private support, still exists today and is administered by the umbrella organisation of Swiss associations. Among other things, this fund now supports participation in youth camps in Switzerland and reimburses part of the expenses incurred by ASR delegates for their visits to meetings in Switzerland.
The ‘Amsterdam Group’ was founded in 1915 as the first Swiss club. The 1922 annual report of the ASO mentions the NHGH (Neue Helvetische Gesellschaft Holland) for the first time; this is the current umbrella organisation of Swiss associations in the Netherlands.
There are currently many reasons to emigrate to the Netherlands: to study, for love, or for work. The connections to Switzerland are close and the language is relatively easy to learn. Moreover, English is recognised as a working language.
There are 9,561 Swiss nationals registered in the Netherlands. Most live in the provinces of North Holland (in and around Amsterdam) and South Holland (in and around The Hague and Rotterdam); the rest are spread across the country, often in the larger cities.
Since 1915, there have been a number of changes over the years within the Swiss clubs in the Netherlands. Clubs or groups, as they were originally called, have been founded, merged, disbanded or renamed. Today there are three Swiss associations, geographically divided into the North (Groningen), Amsterdam (central), and the Centre & South. There is also a shooting section.
Club members meet several times a year for a cosy get-together: This might be a fondue dinner, a hike, a boat trip, a visit to a museum or a get-together over coffee and cake. Every year we celebrate 1 August together with Swiss sausages and wine in a suitably decorated setting. The annual Christmas events, which each club organises itself, are also a major highlight and are celebrated with fine food, lovely contributions and delicious Swiss biscuits.
In addition to the three associations mentioned and the shooting club, there are other Swiss communities such as ZWITSERnet for students and academics and the Swiss Dutch Business Council (SDBC) for businesses. It is interesting to note that there are around 620 Swiss companies operating in the Netherlands.
Fun Facts
In the province of Friesland, there is a village with the lovely name of Zurich (without the full stop!). Although it is not named after Switzerland’s largest city, its name does attract Swiss tourists time and again. So many, in fact, that the local council proposed using the Frisian spelling of the place name, ‘Surch’, from now on. This met with strong opposition from the residents and was ultimately rejected.
Café Bern in Amsterdam serves a delicious fondue prepared in the Swiss tradition.
https://www.cafebern.com
Many people associate Switzerland with banking; for example, the boss of one of our club members found it particularly amusing, especially at the beginning, to emphasise to clients that his accountant was a Swiss woman with a background in banking. Apparently, this fits the local stereotype of a reliable, precise and serious Swiss financial professional.
Further links
- NHGH and the Swiss clubs
Link - NHGH Rifle Section
Link - ASR Netherlands LinkedIn page
Link - Zwitsernet, the network for academics, students and alumni with links to Switzerland
Link - Swiss Dutch Business council
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