UNC-TV's Public Affairs blog UNC-TV Reports

Bern, Switzerland Part 1

Bern, Switzerland Part 2

Bern, Switzerland Part 3

Bern, Switzerland Part 4

This year marks a milestone for North Carolina's second oldest town and its first capital—New Bern celebrates its 300th birthday in 2010. Remarkably ancient by American standards, in the global context New Bern's but a baby. Its Swiss namesake of Bern, founded in 1191, was already half a century old when Christophe de Graffenried, a citizen of a small community outside the Swiss capital, established North Carolina's New Bern as a colonial outpost.

In the UNC-TV original production Bern and New Bern: 300 Years Later, premiering Thursday, February 4, at 9:30 PM, Rob Holliday joins a New Bern-based delegation as it travels to "Old" Bern to explore connections between the Tar Heel city and its Swiss family. His series of special reports originally aired on North Carolina Now. Now, with additional original material, Bern and New Bern: 300 Years Later highlights the ties between the two Berns, showcases anniversary events and takes a closer look at the Graffenried family, whose mark continues on the "old" Bern. Coverage also includes Bern, Switzerland's centerpiece of the celebration—a special month-long exhibition at its history museum.

Holliday brings a fresh view of Bern, Switzerland, seasoned with his insider's knowledge of New Bern, where he spent three years as a local television reporter. During his trip, Holliday filed lively and informative blog posts detailing his insights into historic connections and the city's warm, welcoming people. His online observations from Switzerland and Germany, found on UNC-TV's Public Affairs blog, UNC-TV Reports, complement the UNC-TV special, providing a robust look at New Bern’s historic tercentenary as seen from its namesake city.