What to buy the canton which has everything

As previously reported the 47th Zug Fair opened on Saturday with neighbouring Argovia as the guest canton this year.

Present on the occasion was Urs Hoffmann, the deputy head of the Argovian cantonal government. He can seen in the photograph wearing what looks like a diving mask but is actually one which shows how drivers’ vision is impaired by excessive alcohol, and which visitors can try out themselves at the police exhibition.

Prior to his visit, Hoffmann was wondering what on earth he could give Zug. “After all, they have got everything already,” he joked. “Bringing them a wad of banknotes would be like pouring water in the Rhine.” In reality what the guest canton is bringing with its special exhibition is an eight-day opportunity for visitors to get to know the beauty of Argovia and its less well-known aspects.

Welcoming Hoffman to the fair was Manuela Weichelt-Picard (in the diamond necklace), the retiring head of the Zug cantonal government. In her speech in the opening ceremony, she asked whether such fairs had a future, bearing in mind everything could be viewed and bought online these days. Answering her own question, she said they definitely did, as they meant people could meet up directly and they provided them with the opportunity to seek advice prior to buying anything, something which could not be offered in the same way online. “The fair is an indispensable visiting card for our trade as well as a social event,” she said.

On the extreme left in this photograph is Daniel Burch, the Speaker of the Zug cantonal government.

Who should also pop up on the stage on the occasion but Heinz Tännler, not so much in his capacity as director of finance in the canton but as chairman of the organising committee of the National Swiss-Wrestling Tournament and Alpine Festival which is to take place in Zug next summer. As can be seen in the second photograph, he was suitably attired in Swiss-wrestling apparel. Asked by Tele-1 presenter Fabienne Bamert how plans for the event were going, he said he was not under any particular stress but there was still lots to do, not least in relation to traffic and security matters. “Then there are a few budgetary matters we have to sort out, too. We are cutting back to the tune of CHF 2 million though not on essential things, more on what we would just like to have. What is certain is that there will be lots of skilful wrestling to watch,” he concluded.