Constitution Center, Philadelphia

For the first time since its creation about 700 years ago, the Bundesbrief - a treaty generally seen as the point of origin of the Swiss Confederation is traveling abroad an is displayed in a special exhibit at the Constitution Center. First, the exhibit is pretty hard to find in the sweeping building - and despite this being the opening ceremony, the staff doesn't seem to be aware of its existence. Once we find it, tucked into a corner of the main exhibit hall, between the exit and the bathrooms - we wonder where the exhibition is that would provide some in-depth historical context, e.g. on the history of self government, republican ideas, the philosophies of the enlightenment etc.

It turns out, there isn't really an exhibition, rather something that resembles a trade-show booth - the standard, modular one, for small companies who can't afford the large walk-on custom design pavilions. The product for sale is the image of Switzerland. Since the dormant accounts affair a few years back, there seems to be the understanding that active lobbying and PR for a positive image of Switzerland in the US is a good investment, since in this day and age one can always be sued in the US for anything and it helps to have a positive image in the hearts and mind of the Jury. Besides it's always good for tourism. I guess my mistake for expecting anything else. At least we get to visit the Constitution Center permanent exhibition, which at least succeeds to make it obvious to anybody who might have had any doubt that it is the US alone who has invented freedom and democracy - single-handedly.