Alexander Paul Burton, Canada

What does ‘homeland’ mean to you?

For me, 'homeland' evokes a deep, almost ancestral connection to Switzerland. It's about the roots, the cultural bedrock, the shared history, and the landscapes that are etched into my earliest memories and family stories in Canada, the UK and Switzerland. It's the place where a fundamental part of my identity was forged, even if I no longer live there. It's less about a physical address now, and more about a feeling of origin and belonging to a specific heritage, the feelings that it evokes. 

In which location or country do you say, ‘This is my home’?

Toronto, London and Zurich.

Is a sense of belonging a matter of age?

I think a sense of belonging certainly evolves with age. When you're younger, belonging might be more tied to immediate family, school, or a very specific peer group. As you mature, your understanding of belonging can broaden. It can become more about shared values, intellectual connections, professional networks, or even a sense of global citizenship. For expats, the process of finding and establishing a new sense of belonging in a different country can be a lifelong journey, constantly adapting as one's life circumstances change.

What is it like for you being connected to more than one country? 

Torn. I am very torn, especially as I have so many creative pursuits and projects on the god. I feel obliged to bring my Swissness into my work, my everyday life.

Do you ever feel like a foreigner when you visit Switzerland?

Yes, somewhat. It’s always changing and so fast. But the people remain the same in a good way.