Exhibition to mark the 150th anniversary of General Guisan's birth in Pully VD

An exhibition is being dedicated to Henri Guisan in his last residence in Pully VD to mark the 150th anniversary of his birth. It will focus on the work of the Swiss general during the Second World War.

According to the Henri Guisan Foundation, the retrospective will show "how Henri Guisan's personality gradually asserted itself in his role as commander-in-chief of the army from the summer of 1940". It shows how Guisan became the "leader behind whom the country could rally and unite".

Guisan's call for resistance on July 25, 1940 on the Rütli meadow and the decision to withdraw part of the army to the Réduit occupy a special place in the exhibition. Film archives, which are accessible via QR codes and numerous images, allow visitors to "virtually immerse themselves in some of the most important moments that shaped this tragic period in European history".

The exhibition, which runs from December 10 to 22 at the Verte Rive residence in Pully, is aimed at visitors of all ages and admission is free. Guided tours with commentary are also offered. One of the highlights is Guisan's former office, which can be visited.

Guisan was elected General of the Swiss Army by the United Federal Assembly in 1939 - a military rank that does not exist in the Swiss army in peacetime. During the war, Guisan repeatedly succeeded in strengthening the will of the Swiss soldiers and population to fight. His service ended on August 20, 1945. Guisan died in Pully in 1960.

SDA