My name is Saani and I am a special breed of white goats called Saanen, which come from the Saanen Valley in Switzerland. We are among the most widely distributed dairy goat breeds in the world and among the largest too. A buck (male goat) can reach an impressive 200 pounds / 90 kilograms in weight. We, the Saanen, are known for our calm and friendly nature, which makes us very popular among farmers. While we adapt well to various climates and environments, we prefer cooler weather due to our Swiss roots.  

I am wearing a traditional male costume from Bern, Switzerland. The sturdy brown trousers are paired up with a distinctive short-sleeve black jacket made from velvety soft material, with recognizable white-and-red-line decoration and metal buttons in a double row. It is worn on top of a long-sleeved white fabric shirt.  Edelweiss is typically embroidered on the lapel. A round black tie (Der Jodlerknopf) is worn around the neck (It virtually translates as ‘the yodelling button’. Yodelling = Alpine singing

Swiss flag throwing (Fahnenschwingen), is a traditional Swiss sport, performed at festivals and national events. It involves skilfully twirling and tossing large, heavy flags with precision and grace, often accompanied by traditional Swiss music (on the photo you would see people playing the Alphorn). Dating back to the Middle Ages, initially used as a way to communicate during battles. It evolved into a ceremonial and competitive sport, symbolizing national pride and heritage.

A skilful flag-thrower practices over many years to achieve a continuous and graceful motion.

The little flower on my lapel (lower part of my collar) is the flower edelweiss. The Edelweiss grows in the harsh, rocky conditions of high altitudes, typically between 1,800 and 3,000 meters in the alpine regions of Europe. It is one of the national symbols of Switzerland. The flower’s woolly, white appearance helps protect it from the cold and UV radiation in its high-altitude environment.  In traditional herbal medicine it is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Symbol of Love: Historically, suitors would climb treacherous heights to pick the best edelweiss flowers as a symbol of their love and bravery.

Let me tell you a little bit about our flag. The Swiss flag is one of only two square national flags in the world (the other is the flag of Vatican City). The white cross on the red field design dates back to the 14th century, making it one of the oldest unchanged national flags. Switzerland doesn't have an official flag day, but Swiss National Day on August 1st is when you'll see the flag displayed most prominently throughout the country.

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture. Bern boasts one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe, with 6 kilometers of arcades known as ‘Lauben’.Bern is also famous for its Bear Park, home to the city’s symbol, the bear, and for its Rose Garden which offers stunning views of the city and more than 200 varieties of roses. Also, did you know that Albert Einstein developed his famous theory of relativity while living in Bern?