More than a third with foreign ancestors: that’s how multicultural our country is

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A Dutch mother, a Senegalese father, born in Zurich, studied in the US, later also played in France. Coumba Sow (28) has come into contact with different cultures since birth and is the epitome of our multicultural country. “Switzerland is my home. But my strength of character and my fire are definitely African, I got my open-mindedness from my mother,” says Sow, who grew up in Zurich’s borough 11. This cosmopolitanism always impressed her as a child when she was on holiday in the Netherlands. “Life together was super nice.”

She herself has a very structured side, says Sow. But you don’t realize how Swiss you are until you live abroad. “Everything is much cleaner, clearer, faster and less bureaucratic in Switzerland,” says the midfielder, who lived in the United States for four years. Switzerland also has other advantages: safety. “And you can leave your bag in the pool without it getting stolen.”

Roots in Africa

Besides Sow, Eseosa Aigbogun (30/Nigeria), Amira Arfaoui (23/Tunisia) and Meriame Terchoun (27/Algeria) also have African roots. Terchoun has both Algerian and German ancestors. “Sometimes three people talk in my head,” says the striker – and laughs. She attributes the direct, hard, sometimes hurtful to her Algerian (and German) side. But also the smart, humorous way, their comical situation and the attitude of not always taking life too seriously. “I also occasionally take a siesta or sleep longer in the morning. And I’m sometimes late.”

As with Terchoun, Amira Arfaoui’s relatives in North Africa will also be in front of the goal if the Nati kicker goes to Leverkusen or Switzerland. “My family says I’m more Swiss than Tunisian,” says Arfaoui, whose mother tongue is French, in broad Bernese German. There are also advances from the Tunisian FA, but it was always clear to Arfaoui that she would play for Switzerland. “You should never forget where you come from, but I grew up here in Switzerland.” Her temperament is Tunisian. “I’m actually very calm – but I can also be different,” she says with a smile.

Rey and Maritz: born abroad

The parents of record player Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (32) come from Croatia. But much more than the name and “my occasional temperament” do not indicate their origin. “Everything else about me is completely Swiss; from dialect to punctuality to I don’t know what.” So it is with Viola Calligaris (27), who has Italian roots. “My temperament is Mediterranean, my accuracy and reliability Swiss,” said the defender.

Noelle Maritz (27) and Marion Rey (24) grew up abroad. Maritz was born in California and therefore also has American nationality. At the age of 10, her family returned to Switzerland. FCZ midfielder Rey grew up in Alsace and played in France’s youth teams. Even today, she commutes to her home country on weekends off, where her parents still live. Understandably, two hearts are beating in her chest. But she herself is proud and happy that she can play for the Nati. “Because Switzerland has given me everything.”

Source : Blick