What does it mean to be Swiss? Or, how to justify the existence of the Swiss nation? Within a country defined by cultural heterogeneity, a pervading influence is exerted by what has to be labelled an Alpine myth over any idea and practice to legitimate a national unity. Today, for a great number of people, the Alpine myth is still a widely shared belief that serves to unite the country. But for those who no longer believe in such a founding myth, the question of the very existence of Switzerland is a more and more relevant one, as it becomes increasingly difficult to define what holds together the various parts of the country.