Daily Times

As the world reels from the coronavirus crisis, a beam of light is illuminating Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain with a message of hope for a time of darkness. Every night from sunset, the 4,478-metre (14,692-foot) high national symbol is spalshed 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 week 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. The flags of Switzerland, Italy and the Swiss region of Ticino were also beamed onto the mountain on Wednesday night.