Glarus Cantonal Assembly

Category:
Social practices
Canton:

Description

Weather permitting, the electorate of Glarus gathers together on the first Sunday in May on the Zaunplatz, the central square in Glarus town. Normally a car park, on this day the square is transformed into an open-air parliament. At least since 1387 the Landsgemeinde, or Cantonal Assembly, has represented the core of public life in the canton, serving as the arena for passing laws and electing judges. The people voice opinions about governmental matters and tax rates and have the right to put forward amendments to motions, which are subject to an immediate public vote.

Image gallery

  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Newly elected judges © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Guests of honour on the Town Hall balcony before the procession into the ring © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Glarus residents in formal traditional dress at a window on Zaunplatz square, Glarus © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Police checks at the entrance ensuring that only the electorate enter the ring © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: The debates are simultaneously interpreted into sign language © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: A smiling Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor, with court bailiffs © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: The market at the Glarus Cantonal Assembly © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Military unit Geb Füs Bat 85 marching off – with admirers © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Newly elected judges © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Guests of honour on the Town Hall balcony before the procession into the ring © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Glarus residents in formal traditional dress at a window on Zaunplatz square, Glarus © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Police checks at the entrance ensuring that only the electorate enter the ring © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: The debates are simultaneously interpreted into sign language © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: A smiling Doris Leuthard, Federal Councillor, with court bailiffs © Heinrich Speich, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: The market at the Glarus Cantonal Assembly © Klara Hübner, 2011
  • 2011 Cantonal Assembly: Military unit Geb Füs Bat 85 marching off – with admirers © Klara Hübner, 2011

Video

The procession to the Cantonal Assembly of 1923 © Filmarchiv Willy Leuzinger

References and documentation

Publications

  • Jürg Davatz: Die Landsgemeinde des Kantons Glarus. Geschichte und Gegenwart. Glarus, 2001

  • Verena Speich, Jürg Davatz: «Hoochvertruuti, liebi Mitlandlüüt...»: Der Kanton Glarus und seine Landsgemeinde (Dokumentarfilm). Küsnacht, 2001

Documentation