Zermatt’s Illumination Of The Matterhorn Shows Solidarity With Italy. Confirms Kumme Gondola Project
The theme of the projections on the Matterhorn on Saturday, 28 March 2020 is Italy - the country in Europe most affected by the coronavirus pandemic and located directly behind the Swiss landmark.
The Matterhorn illuminations, which started on Tuesday, 24 March 2020, met with enthusiasm from people around the world and generated many positive reactions. On the evening of Saturday, 28 March 2020, the lighting will be dedicated to solidarity with Italy.
Flag
With the Italian flag on the Matterhorn, Zermatt shows that people are mentally attached to Italy, the country in Europe that has been hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic. The projection is symbolic of the solidarity that is currently clearly felt throughout society. Not only is the country most affected - it also borders directly on Zermatt. The Italian village of Valtournenche, which lies on the other side of the Matterhorn, even shares the international ski area with Zermatt. This fact is one of the reasons for the strong bond and friendship between the two communities.
Neighbouring community
It was therefore a matter of great concern to those responsible in Zermatt that the neighbouring community should be able to determine today's message on the Matterhorn. "We want to express our great gratitude", says Nicole Maquignaz, Vice-Commune President of Valtournenche, who has written a poem about it (attached to the message). The thanks go to the people who are currently in the front line and who are committed to the fight against the emergency: the doctors, the medical staff, the volunteers, the police, the fire brigade and all the others who protect and save lives. Thus, beside the Italian flag, also the word #grazie will be projected to the Matterhorn.
New subjects
The illuminations, created by the light artist Gerry Hofstetter, are expected to last until 19 April 2020, until which time new subjects will appear on the Matterhorn every day between sunset (19:30 hrs in winter time, 20:30 hrs in summer time) and 22:00 hrs – if weather conditions permit – in connection with hope, solidarity and gratitude in the current coronavirus crisis. Should the mountain be enveloped in clouds in the evening of 28 March 2020, the Italian subject will be postponed until the next day with good weather.
Pictures of the action
A trip to Zermatt is not worthwhile, as one cannot see the projection with the naked eye. Those who are interested can watch the projections on the webcams Rothorn, Trockener Steg and Hirli from home. There you can also create time-lapse videos and download pictures in high quality. The time function allows the recordings to be rewound, so that past images can also be downloaded. The recordings may be used freely in connection with the action.
More information: www.zermatt.ch/en/hope
Additionally, in spring 2020, once snow and weather conditions allow, Zermatt Bergbahnen will make a start on the Kumme gondola construction project. A new ten-seater gondola made by cable car manufacturer Garaventa-Doppelmayr will replace the destroyed Kumme chair lift. From the beginning of the 2020/21 winter season, the new lift will carry winter sports fans from Tufternkehr up to the Unterrothorn via an intermediate station in Wyss Gufer. It will be the first fully automatic cable car system in Zermatt, with the valley and top stations remotely monitored by the intermediate station. Zermatt Bergbahnen AG hopes this lift will offer a huge boost to the winter sports facilities and quality of transport in the Rothorn area.
