Switzerland expressed solidarity with India in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic by projecting the tricolour on the most photographed mountain in the world, Matterhorn, situated in the Swiss Alps.
The photographs of the mountain with the tricolour were shared by Gurleen Kaur, Indian Foreign Service Officer based in Geneva.
As the world grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, Switzerland has been sending out messages of hope, love and empathy to the world by illuminating Matterhorn.
Every night from sunset, the 4,478-metre (14,692-foot) high national symbol is splashed with words and images to inspire solidarity as people face up to the alarming spread of the deadly pandemic.
The light projections, nearly 800 metres high, have been beamed for more than a few weeks from four kilometres away onto the north and east faces of the mountain, which straddles Switzerland’s southeastern border with Italy.
“We started with a Swiss flag because it speaks to the mountain and our nation,” said light artist Gerry Hofstetter, known for transforming buildings around the world with his displays.
The words “hope”, “solidarity” and “stay home” have since been projected onto the peak, along with a giant red heart on a white background — in the Swiss national colours. Our life is not the same as before. But together, we can endure and defy the virus.
The flags of Switzerland, Italy and the Swiss region of Ticino were also beamed onto the mountain on Wednesday night. The southern Ticino canton, which borders stricken northern Italy, has been the hardest-hit in Switzerland.
Along with India, the flags of the US, Germany, Spain, the UK and Japan have also been projected on the mountain.
Dominating the skyline, Hofstetter said the Matterhorn stands out like a lighthouse, which triggered the idea of beaming out messages. The Matterhorn was here before mankind was.
