Landammann Markus Heer, the head of government for Canton Glarus in Switzerland, visited New Glarus on Sunday, Oct. 4, for a series of discussions centered on strengthening the historic relationship between the Swiss canton and the Wisconsin village that bears its name.
The Swiss Center of North America hosted Heer during the visit. He met with local stakeholders representing education, tourism and economic development, with discussions focused on ways the two communities might expand their longstanding cultural and institutional ties.
The visit carried unusual historical weight in a community whose relationship with Canton Glarus stretches back to New Glarus’ founding in 1845. A landammann serves as the head of a Swiss cantonal government, a position roughly comparable to a governor in the United States.
The relationship between Old Glarus and New Glarus has never been one-way. It has repeatedly crossed the Atlantic in both directions through money, civic support, cultural exchanges and symbols that remain visible in the village today.
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