Strong reactions to Radio 24's special program in High German
To mark «German Unity Day,» Radio 24 dedicated its morning show, «Ufsteller,» to the German people. The program, broadcast in Standard German, had already sparked strong reactions in the run-up to the event.
To mark "German Unity Day", Radio 24 dedicated its morning show "Ufsteller" to Germans. As a gesture to the German citizens living in Zurich - the city's largest group of foreigners - presenter Patrick Hässig spoke exclusively High German for once in his morning show from 5 to 9 a.m. on Friday.
When this was announced on the station yesterday, Switzerland's tense relationship with its big neighbor was revealed once again: "We have received several dozen emails," Radio 24 program director Karin Müller told 20 Minuten. "I already have to listen to enough High German in Zurich, I don't want to put up with it on the radio," wrote one listener, while others even announced that they would boycott Radio 24. There were also numerous positive reactions. "The topic is extremely polarizing," Müller told the commuter newspaper.
Radio Energy Zurich had a similar experience last year when the station employed the German Katrin Wilde as a presenter: after a few weeks, she returned to Germany head over heels.
Presenter Hässig hopes that his show will contribute to international understanding. His show on Friday morning included an interview with a member of the Bundestag, sketches by comedian Otto and songs from the New German Wave.
When this was announced on the station yesterday, Switzerland's tense relationship with its big neighbor was revealed once again: "We have received several dozen emails," Radio 24 program director Karin Müller told 20 Minuten. "I already have to listen to enough High German in Zurich, I don't want to put up with it on the radio," wrote one listener, while others even announced that they would boycott Radio 24. There were also numerous positive reactions. "The topic is extremely polarizing," Müller told the commuter newspaper.
Radio Energy Zurich had a similar experience last year when the station employed the German Katrin Wilde as a presenter: after a few weeks, she returned to Germany head over heels.
Presenter Hässig hopes that his show will contribute to international understanding. His show on Friday morning included an interview with a member of the Bundestag, sketches by comedian Otto and songs from the New German Wave.
