Hello Switzerland Summer 2011

ISSUE No 02/04 | SUMMER 2011

HELLO SWITZERLAND

SWISS CULTURE | POLITICS | TOURISM | EVENTS

Presenting Partner:

Issue 2/4

Summer 2011

Contents

1

Hello Switzerland is an English-language magazine published 4 times a year as a service to the English-speaking community.

In this issue: Useful tips

4

Heimatort

6

More Switzerland for Less Money

8 10

International Food Festival Swiss Style

11

Swiss Politics: Power Divided by 7

12

A Visit to the Federal Palace

14

Lost and Found

15

Basel Region Brief News, Local Talent, Book Review, Bread and Circuses

17

A New Lease of Life for the Old Markthalle, Bookshop of the Year

21

Berne Region Brief News, Worthless to You, Precious to the Blind

23

Ice Cream and Ruins

26

Discover Switzerland: Castles

32

Romandie Region Brief News, The Reel Story, Soundtrack to Summer

37

A Table with a View, Quartier des Bains, Nyon Tourist Office

41

Zurich Region Brief News, Expat Do-Over, Finding Zurich‘s Sweet Spots

45

Fleet of Foot Historical Tours, Running in Zurich

49

Zug/Lucerne Region Brief News, Höllgrotten

52

Travel: Saarland and Luxembourg

54

What‘s Going On In Switzerland

56

Voluntary Organisations & Groups

59

Places of Worship

62

Classifieds

64

Presenting partner:

Free Subscription www.helloswitzerland.ch Editor-In-Chief Caroline Thonger / +41 (0)27 565 4128 +41 (0)79 874 5004 Caroline@helloswitzerland.ch Co-Editors Basel Anitra Green Anitra@helloswitzerland.ch Zurich, Zug, Lucerne Allison Turner Allison@helloswitzerland.ch Berne Querida Long Querida@helloswitzerland.ch Romandie Catherine Nelson-Pollard Catherine@helloswitzerland.ch Contributors Elisa Bieg Roger Bonner & Edi Barth Sibylle Dickmann & Beatrix Spring Nadine Gerber Barbara Gnägi Florian Hehlen Martin D. Hirsch Christian Langenegger Mary McKinley Laura Messenger Rashida Rashim Laura Leone Romanin Cover photograph Château de Nyon by twilight (© Peter Colberg) Publisher Hello Switzerland AG Advertising Lukas Hayoz / +41 (0)61 206 90 53 Lukas@helloswitzerland.ch Pre-press Layout & Printing Jordi AG – www.jordibelp.ch Distribution 13,000 copies all over Switzerland

www.roche.com

www.berneinvest.com

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www.aemovers.com.hk © The articles in Hello Switzerland may not be copied or reproduced in any form without the prior permission of Hello Switzerland AG or the author. Hello Switzerland accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions expressed by its writers.

Deadline for the Autumn Issue 20 July 2011

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Editorial Dear Readers, Summer in Switzerland heralds the season of festivals. There are numerous events taking place all over the country: from prestigious orchestral concerts to open-air jazz; from pageants in mediaeval costume to historical re-enactments; from film to classic cars.

Food Festival

11

Bread and Circuses

20

Castles

32

Summer Soundtrack

40

In this issue we highlight just some of the plethora of events on offer all over Switzerland. There’s something to suit even the most demanding of tastes: from the Blue Balls Festival in Zurich (p. 45), to the Roman festival held on the banks of the Rhine at Augusta Aurica near Basel (p. 20). We have suggestions on how to find restaurants and cafés with great views (p. 41), as well as for a family outing within easy reach of Berne (p. 26).

Swiss democracy is frequently held up as a model to the rest of the world, but how exactly does it work? An experienced journalist working on Swiss TV news gives us her insight into the functioning of Swiss politics (p. 12).

This is accompanied by an account of a fascinating visit (as announced under Upcoming Network Events in the spring issue of the magazine) to the Swiss Federal Palace in Berne.

Our competition has been generously sponsored by Swiss Budget Hotels and Reka. Read our section on “Switzerland on the Cheap” to find out about all the excellent money-saving deals to be found in this country. And learn all about how the Reka and SBH organisations work in practice (p. 8).

For the “Discover Switzerland” section we present a major four-page feature on the theme of “Castles”. There are no less than 450 castles, historic fortifications and forts to be found all over Switzerland. Although some have fallen into ruin, many castles have been restored to their former glory. Some hold concerts or pageants, some are museums and others are frequently used for weddings or as upmarket restaurants. Here we present just a flavour of the wealth of history to be uncovered (p. 32).

In the travel section, our inveterate railway journalist Anitra takes the reader on a captivating exploration of Saarbrücken and Luxembourg (p. 54).

Between them, our four regional editors have provided the usual eclectic mix of local news and interesting articles from their specific areas of Switzerland.

And this time around, Roger Bonner’s story gives a wry portrayal of the Swiss definition of “place of origin”.

Hopefully as many of you as possible will be able to participate in the celebrations for Swiss National Day. As 1 August falls on a Monday this year, most of the festivities will be taking place over the last weekend of July. Our editorial team wishes you all an excellent and enjoyable summer, and happy reading.

Caroline

caroline@helloswitzerland.ch

Contributed by the Hello Switzerland Editorial Team Discover Real Switzerland!

Saturday 18 June 2011 Guided Tour of the FEDERAL JODELING FESTIVAL INTERLAKEN An exclusive event for Hello Switzerland readers! Join our group and discover real Swiss cultural highlights. In an Englishspeaking guided sightseeing tour through Interlaken we will have the opportunity to experience unique performances such as Jodeln, Fahnenschwingen and Alphornblasen including an interactive jodelling demonstration. The afternoon tour will be followed by a typically Swiss dinner at approx. 19:00.

Costs (the fee will be charged in advance) Adult Ticket CHF 79.- (including festival emblem and entry, guided tour in English, dinner including drinks) Meeting Place 14:00 at Info Point train station Interlaken West Sign up by 6 June 2011!

(Limited Tickets available) Send an email to Lukas@helloswitzerland.ch subject line ‘Interlaken’ and include your postal address and mobile no.

More information is available at www.packimpex.ch/events

Useful Tips Box Here are three tips on finding things for free in Switzerland, taken from Diccon Bewes’ “Swiss Watching” blog: Cathedrals: From the austere grandeur of Lausanne’s to the over the top riot of stucco inside St Gallen’s, Switzerland has some outstanding religious monuments, none of which you pay to go into. No trip to Zurich is complete without seeing Chagall’s magical windows in the Fraumünster, no visit to Bern over until you’ve admired the intricate West portal.

Maison Tavel: Tucked away in the old town near Geneva’s huge cathedral (also free) is this engrossing history museum. It’s spread over many floors of a splendid 14th century house, the oldest one in the city. My favourite bits: the coin collection and the vast wooden 3D model of Geneva in 1850, when it still had extensive fortifications.

Water: Centuries-old fountains spurting out cold, crystal-clear water straight from the Alps: almost everywhere in Switzerland has public drinking fountains in the street, and most of them are sights in themselves. http://swisswatching.wordpress.com

India-India Festival 2011 Zurich Main Station 26-28 August For the last three years this association has been organising the “India-India Festival” in Zurich’s main station, where up to 250,000 visitors can be expected over the 3 days of the event.

This year they are hoping to have as the main attractions: • the North Eastern region as the guest region from India; • a crafts Mela with support from the various NGOs working with artisans in rural India; • a fashion show showcasing the influence of traditional Indian arts and crafts on western fashion.

For full details of this exciting event, contact: Anjum Amirtham Secretary India-India Verein Bubental 57, 8852 Altendorf Mob: +41 (0)76 339 45 83 anjum@india-india.ch

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Contributed by Roger Bonner with illustration by Edi Barth

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Heimatort Sometimes defining your place of origin in Switzerland can be a problem.

I

was born in Geneva, Switzerland; not Geneva, Minnesota, population 449, in case you might mix up the two. I’m proud that my mother delivered me in such a sophisticated, world-renowned city, but I can’t brag about it. In my Swiss passport, under the date of birth, there’s a quaint little section entitled: Heimatort or Lieu d’origine, Luogo di attinenza, Lieu d’origin (this time without an ‘e’), and finally, just in case you didn’t get it the first time, Place of origin. Under this cumbersome category, Laupersdorf SO is written in prominent letters.

SWITZERLAND

“But I was born in Geneva, international playground of the rich, seat of the UN…” This would be of no concern to

any stern Swiss official, who, frowning through his or her window at the local council, demands: “Heimatort…Lieu d’origin…(is that with or without ‘e’ ?) bitte!”

If I wasn’t born in Laupersdorf SO (the abbreviation stands for SOlothurn), then why is that place mentioned in every one of my legal documents?

Quite simply because that’s where my father comes from, not my mother but my father, which sounds awfully patriarchal. And as if that wasn’t enough, as a Swiss citizen I must also have a Heimatschein, a Certificate of Origin, to get that all-important Niederlassungs-Ausweis, a Residence Permit, which I must produce for the authorities

even if I want to move from BaselStadt across the road to the town of Binnigen. I would, however, have to pay any taxes owing to Basel, change the status of my health insurance, among many other formalities, and re-register my car to Baselland, which is not a bad thing because I wouldn’t have an embarrassing BS on my license plate anymore but a harmless BL. The Heimatort has little importance nowadays, but since the Swiss cling to their cherished values and traditions, such as keeping army weapons at home, I’m sure a Heimatschein will be required on the final Day of Judgment for entrance to Heaven or Hell. In the past a person’s Heimatort was very important because it gave a citizen many rights, such as something called Allmendweide and Holzgerechtigkeiten, still valid in some rural areas. As far as I can figure it out, Allmendweide allows me to put a cow out to a pasture belonging to the community. With Holzgerechtigkeiten I am entitled to a share of the wood that’s cut down from the forest. This is just what I’ve always wanted. On the negative side, I would have to serve in the army of the territorial lord ((Landesherr Landesherr) Landesherr) whenever he felt like invading another community. Moreover, if I couldn’t pay my bills and became impoverished, the town where I reside could shove me off to my Heimatort and it would be obliged to take care of me. This was still the case up until a few years ago.

Things change, even in Switzerland, although at glacial speed. For example, married women can have their own Heimatort back. Until the new Marital Law came into effect in 1988, women were mere appendages of their husbands. So if in the unlikely event a Baselerin married a Zürcher, she would automatically become a Zürcherin!

Last year I read in the local paper that Basel-City, where I live, had a sale on becoming a citizen at the extremely good price of CHF 350. In some cantons such an Einbürgerung, or naturalization, can cost up to thousands. Since

I quickly decided to remain a citizen of Laupersdorf, a modest, friendly, down-

to-earth village tucked away in a valley between Balsthal and Moutier. That’s where the family roots go back to 1590.

I plan to go there this summer with my cow Blanca, who’s tired of being cooped up in an apartment, and let her graze and munch grass to her heart’s content because Basel doesn’t have much in the way of communal pastures. At the same time, I’ll also demand my share of wood … lots of wood!

Roger Bonner is a Swiss writer/ poet who runs a writing/editing business, Right Style. A collection of his funniest stories and columns entitled “Swiss Me” (CHF 24.90), with illustrations

by Edi Barth, is available from Bergli

Books Basel (www.bergli.ch), or bookshops throughout Switzerland.

You can reach him at info@roger-bonner.ch Home Page: www.roger-bonner.ch

7

Need a cartoon for a birthday, anniversary or other event?

Edi Barth, a Swiss/American cartoonist /tattoo artist, will draw a witty cartoon (also in colour) of whatever subject you want for that special occasion. He is the author of “Menue Surprise” (www.boderverlag.ch). His cartoons and illustrations for ad campaigns have been published in many magazines and newspapers.

Email address: edi.barth@bluewin.ch

SWITZERLAND

I love sales and bargains, I sent off a letter to the Basel Bürgergemeinde, a kind of citizens’ council but not the actual government, requesting more information and got back a fat envelope full of forms. In essence, I had to prove that I have no criminal record, have never been prosecuted for debts, and have always paid my taxes, with no cheating. Of course, I fulfil all the criteria, but I would have had to prove it by obtaining official attestation from the various government departments which charge separate fees, making the whole complicated procedure cost almost twice as much. What were the benefits? Besides the cachet of being a superior human being, I could take part in Bürgergemeinde meetings and join one of the many guilds and societies, if they would have me.

Contributed by Anitra Green

8

More Switzerland for Less Money!

If you have a tight budget, this is the just the thing for you: Swiss Budget Hotels and REKA checks.

S

witzerland may be a beautiful country with lots of splendid scenery, attracting millions of tourists from all over the world, but it also has the reputation of being expensive. It’s true that people like film-stars and multimillionaires for whom money is no object choose to live here at least part of the time, and some of the world’s most prestigious and priciest hotels are on Swiss soil.

SWITZERLAND

Luckily, you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy what this country has to offer. Swiss Budget Hotels has been offering good quality, inexpensive accommodation all over the country for the last 15 years, and it now cooperates with the Reka-check organisation, which was founded to enable families who can’t afford it to go on holiday.

says Peter Escher, managing director of the Swiss Budget Hotels, which recently came under new management.

The website (www.rooms.ch, also in English) has been revamped and you can make a direct booking with any hotel in the organisation. It’s also developing an iPhone App to be available by the time you read these lines, and there’s an attractive new hotel guide.

“We also have a new Budget Stars programme, where clients can collect stars,” adds Peter Escher. He explains that when clients book through www. rooms.ch they are awarded double stars, so that after around 10 overnights the tenth one is offered free in any of the 150 participating hotels. This equates to a discount of about 10%. As part of his effort to create the best possible deal for both guests and the hotels taking part (which includes pooling arrangements for purchasing supplies and

equipment, advertising and so on), he’s also forging cooperation arrangements with partners like Reka.

Reka/Reka-Card/Reka-Check/ Reka-Checks Though well known to Swiss people, Reka checks are a closed book to most foreign visitors. Reka is short for Reisekasse (travel fund). The organisation was founded over 70 years ago as a non-profit making cooperative society (Genossenschaft) issuing its own checks. Over 4,000 companies in Switzerland now take part in the scheme, offering Reka checks as a fringe benefit to their employees, who can buy a yearly quota at a hefty discount typically amounting to 20%.

Seven of the ten largest firms in the country take part, including UBS, CS, Novartis and Coop for example. If you have a Coop Supercard you can also buy them through the Coop at 3% dis-

Swiss Budget Hotels This is a non-profit organisation with about 150 hotels, offering anything between 6 and 60 rooms each. They are essentially independent and not subject to a rating system; the standard is up to a three-star equivalent, comfortable, and many of them are family-run. They obviously appeal to families, but there are also lots of older people who use these hotels, especially for mountain holidays, or younger people looking for cheap accommodation after a concert, and even business people who just want an uncomplicated hotel to overnight.

“About 40% of our guests are Swiss, but the rest come from all over the world,”

Enjoying the summer holidays for less. Many travel agents accept payment with Reka checks.

ski-lifts, mountain railways, petrol (AVIA and BP), hotels, restaurants, camping sites, travel agents and even football matches and air fares. Reka offers a growing number of holiday activities including accommodation, which now of course includes Swiss Budget Hotels. It also runs its own holiday villages with organised programmes for children, which is a real boon for budget-conscious families.

Or you can use a Reka card, which is even more convenient than the checks.

Reka is currently developing a system for customers to use its Reka card to pay for hotel accommodation direct on the Swiss Budget Hotels website, and it has other ideas for special offers in the pipeline.

Hotel Walserhuus Davos

count. Reka’s website (www.Reka.ch) is also in English, and there’s an iPhone App as well.

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An exclusive competition for readers of Hello Switzerland sponsored by Swiss Budget Hotels and reka! www.swissbudgethotels.ch www.reka.ch Prizes 1st A 2-night stay for 2 (breakfast included) in a Swiss Budget Hotel of your choice.

The checks can be used to pay for a wide variety of leisure facilities (look out for the Reka sign): public transport,

A full list is available on www.Reka-guide.ch

We books.

3rd

An overnight stay for 2 (breakfast included) in a Swiss Budget Hotel of your choice.

4th

A Victorinox penknife with the Reka design.

5th

A large Reka bathing towel.

6th

1 original Swiss Budget umbrella in a starry design.

To take part in the prize draw, just send an email by 10 June 2011 to Lukas@helloswitzerland.ch including your postal address and with the subject line ‘More Switzerland!’

Switzerland’s Bookshop of the Year 2011 – come and browse through our selection.

At Bankenplatz | Aeschenvorstadt 2 | 4010 Basel T +41 (0)61 206 99 99 | F +41 (0)61 206 99 90 www.biderundtanner.ch

SWITZERLAND

2nd 2 Reka Cheques worth CHF 200.

Contributed by some of the Romandie team: Rashida Rashim, Laura Messenger and Catherine Nelson-Pollard

10

Cheap as Chips Frites There are some surprising money-saving deals to be had in Switzerland.

60chf for double rooms. They often have self-catering kitchens or reasonable priced restaurants that won’t break the piggy bank. And if these are fully booked there is always the Swiss Youth Hostel Association that is part of the Hostelling International group, which is cheaper than a budget hotel but may charge you 6chf extra if you are not already a card-carrying member.

To cut your costs take your own picnic for lunch out—view priceless.

Getting from A to Z As the Swiss have one of the most efficient public transport services in the world, it might be worth investing in a Swiss Half Fare Card which gives the traveller 50% off any ticket, be it on the trains, buses or boats. In addition the Half Fare Card also gives substantial discounts on most mountain railways, cable cars as well as free admission to over 400 museums across the country.

For the young and adventurous there is the Swiss Youth Pass that can be valid from 4 days to one month or the more “grown up” version is the Swiss Flexi Pass for a period of 3 to 8 days. www.sbb.ch

SWITZERLAND

Alternatively, there are a number of discounted rent-a-car options that gives you the freedom to take a road trip without busting the bank balance. Two such companies can be found at: www.enzolocation.ch www.secondlocation.ch

“if you don’t want the commitments that owning your own car entails”.

Once registered this service enables you to take the train and then hire a Mobility car at the end of your journey.

Their site is in English and has an FAQ section on how Mobility works, with a price comparison table on the advantages of using this service as opposed to buying a private car. It’s easy to drive off too, as you simply hold your Mobility-Card against the red sticker on the windscreen. The central locking disengages automatically. The onboard computer then confirms your booking and displays your reservation and voilà!

Check their site out for more information and happy driving! www.mobility.ch

Mobility If you have just arrived in the country and don’t have a car, but would like the use of one from time to time, then there is a great car sharing system available in Switzerland called “Mobility”.

Alternative accommodation If the adventurer in you is open to new friends and trends, to sharing and connecting with others, then www.coachsurfing.com may be the best way to stay in Switzerland. With over 14,800 places available across the country, not only does it enable you to share and exchange your experiences with strangers that may become your friends, but it also definitely lowers the overall financial cost of exploring the country.

There are over 2,050 vehicles at 1,250 stations throughout Switzerland and you can reserve them online, so it’s a great idea if you are planning a holiday and intend exploring the country but you don’t want to drive a long distance.

Or according to the Mobility website,

On the other hand the more traditional budget-minded traveller may prefer the hostels and backpacking places, of which there are a few. The website www.swissbackpackers.ch group thirtyfour independently run hostels around the country with dorms from 32chf to

In the city First of all visit the local tourist information office or ask your hostel/hotel if the city offers a free Transport Card.

Geneva and Lausanne both offer the use of the entire public transportation network within the city centre for free.

You may also want to check if there is a free museum day. For example, Lausanne has free entry to all museums on the first Saturday of every month.

And for those planning a cheap day out in Geneva …

Bains des Pâquis One look around at the number of people and it’s hard to imagine that the site was once destined for destruction. But saved from the wrecking ball, the Bains des Pâquis, on the rive droite in Geneva, has become one of the most popular places to spend a lazy afternoon. Not only because its location makes it so picturesque, but also because it provides some of the best value for money anywhere in the city. And if you want to feel like part of the Genevois scene, there are few spots better. It’s where all the locals go.

If you are hungry, the Buvette des Bains offers tasty food at very reasonable prices. www.bains-des-paquis.ch (in French) As a final word, Diccon Bewes (author of the ever-popular “Swiss Watching”) writes a blog full of useful facts, tips and information on how to save money in Switzerland. http://swisswatching.wordpress.com

Contributed by Caroline Thonger

International Food Festival Swiss Style

11

One visitor’s impression of an annual event organised by the Swiss School of Tourism and Hospitality.

O

Following its heyday around the time of the First World War and with the advance of modern medicine, the spa hotel gradually fell out of favour over the next decades until it was finally forced to close its doors in 1979. The building has been in the possession of the SSTH since the early 1990s, undergoing much renovation and improve-

Russian students with their meatball speciality

Brazilian students with their tropical fruit salad

ment to produce a school housing some 250 students a year. Although relatively small by comparison with the larger (and perhaps more renowned) of the Swiss hotel schools, its big attraction to potential students is its much more intimate atmosphere. The proportion of Swiss to overseas students is around fifty-fifty, with courses being run simultaneously in German and in English.

Many alumni will stay in touch with their former teachers, and for the foreign students there is the added bonus of being invited into the homes of their Swiss counterparts.

The international food festival has been an annual event open to the public since 2002, usually occurring in April or May, and is entirely organised by third-year students on the hospitality management course as part of their final year assessments. Now attracting around two thousand visitors in a single day, the food festival has become a firm favourite in Chur’s calendar of events.

Apart from food-tasting, a Dallmayr coffee lounge and stalls selling souvenirs, the event this year also offered workshops in molecular cookery, Sushimaking and sensory testing. And I was just one of the participants eager to sample the vast array of tempting foods from all over the world.

One part of the ground floor of the main school was taken over by Africa and the Far East, with exotic offerings such as hot lamb curry from Indonesia, cauliflower pakora from India, sweet dumplings with adzuki beans from Japan, and roast ostrich from South Africa. Outside but under cover was the European section, with contributions from countries including Greece and Turkey, Russia and Poland, Portugal and Spain, Scotland and of course Switzerland. The most popular item seemed to be the marvellously sweet and light-as-air waffles produced by the Benelux stand. Further along the garden the emphasis was on the Americas, including the USA, Brazil and Columbia.

One of the highlights of the whole day was a thunderingly noisy, but passionately performed, 20-minute session by a four-man troupe of djembe drummers from Senegal.

The occasion was raucous, crowded, enthusiastic, colourful and filled with a wealth of sensory delights. As an example of the “theory of hospitality put into practice”, this annual event organised entirely by students could not have been bettered. And I hope I get invited again next year! www.ssth.ch

SWITZERLAND

n a splendidly blue and boiling hot day on the second Saturday of April of this year, I was invited to participate in an exuberant celebration of food from all over the world. This gave me the opportunity of travelling to a part of Switzerland I don’t normally visit. The train journey takes about 90 minutes from Zurich, and carries you in a south-easterly direction along the length of two lakes and close to the mountainous frontier with Liechtenstein, and thence as far as Chur, the principal town of the largest Swiss canton of the Grisons (Graubünden).

The main part of the school is located in a former spa hotel (founded at the end of the 19th century), where clients once congregated to “take the waters”.

There’s still a local plant at Passugg, producing bottled mineral water. The surroundings of the school are breathtaking, lying as it does at an altitude of some 700m in delightfully undulating countryside, about 10kms up a steep and winding road from the centre of Chur.

Contributed by Nadine Gerber

12

Swiss Politics: Power Divided by 7 The political system in Switzerland is the only one of its kind in the world.

P

ower in this small nation is not focused on one person, but is divided equally amongst seven, each called Federal Councillors. Since 2010 there have been more women than men in this Council, for the first time in Swiss history. The advantage of this system of government by seven is that there can never be any arbitrary decision-making made by a single ruler.

All major decisions are made jointly.

And when there are four councillors in favour and three against a particular motion, the three losers have to support the view of the winners. For the people it is not evident (or it shouldn’t be evident) which councillor has voted in favour of which decision.

SWITZERLAND

In the past the Federal Council was appointed in accordance with the socalled “magic formula”. This unwritten law demanded that two representatives should be elected from each of the SP,

FDP and CVP, as well as one representative from the SVP (see info box on the next page). The SP is a party of the left concerned with social issues. The FDP and CVP are “middle-of-the-road” (centrist) parties. In recent years, however, the political map in Switzerland has undergone radical changes; the right-wing SVP is attracting many new voters and now demands two seats in the Council.

On one occasion the SVP was indeed able to win a second seat, when their elected female Federal Councillor had resigned from the party because of a serious disagreement. But since then the SVP has only been accorded one seat. Of course they want to change that in the next elections. In the wake of the internecine strife in the SVP itself other parties have emerged such as the BDP, and the left-leaning Greens have split into the centrist Green liberals. These

new parties have been making their voices heard with loud fanfares and also want to play an active role in politics at Federal level.

The Federal Council is elected for a total of four years by the United Federal Assembly, which constitutes the Swiss Parliament. It consists of two chambers. The “Large Chamber” or National Council represents the people.

200 Members of Parliament sit here.

The “Small Chamber” or Council of States represents the 20 Swiss cantons and six half-cantons. Every canton has two members of the Council of States, and each half-canton has one member.

Members of both the National Council and of the Council of States are directly elected by the people for the same period of four years. The next election for the total replacement of all members will take place in October 2011, an event of major importance in Switzerland. Speculation is already rife at both the political level and in the media about potential party tactics and how the seats will be divided.

Four times a year the Swiss Parliament meets in Bern for what are called “sessions”. Both chambers have equal power; until it has been independently accepted by both chambers a resolution cannot be valid. Resolutions are dealt with separately by both chambers.

If after the first debate the National Council and Council of States fail to agree on the same wording, then a corrective adjustment is made. This is when the law in question is shuttled back and forth between the two chambers. After the third time without a unanimous agreement, then a conciliation meeting will take place.

The Federal Council (l-r): Johann Schneider-Ammann, FDP; Didier Burkhalter, FDP; Doris Leuthard, CVP; Micheline Calmy-Rey, SP, President; Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, BDP; Ueli Maurer, SVP; Simonetta Sommaruga, SP; Corina Casanova, CVP, Federal Chancellor (Photo by Monika Flückiger)

The citizens of Switzerland themselves have the right to anchor laws into the Federal Constitution, launching an initiative in the process. The initiator must collect 100,000 signatures, after which the suggested law is voted on by referendum. The government refrains from comment, simply recommending the acceptance or rejection of the

the Council of States. Calls have been made, for example, for the dismantling of three of Switzerland’s oldest nuclear power stations. The nuclear debate will have its own special session in the normal session period. It is also possible to follow the debate live from the spectators’ gallery in the Federal Palace.

Major Political Parties in Switzerland SP FDP CVP SVP BDP GPS GLP

Swiss Social Democratic Party The Liberals Christian Democrat People’s Party Swiss People’s Party Conservative Democratic Party Swiss Green Party Swiss Green Liberal Party

proposal. In the recent past Switzerland has caused a furore in Europe with such initiatives. Many neighbouring countries expressed their outrage at the adoption of the initiative with regard to minarets, which forbade Muslims to erect minarets on their mosques. The people can also resort to referendums against laws enacted by Parliament.

Fifty thousand signatures in a hundred days are required, so that the legislative proposal (bill) can be put to the vote,

granting the possibility of reversing a law made by Parliament.

Summer sessions in the Swiss Parliament last from 30 May to 17 June.

The hot topic of debate at the moment is nuclear power. The nuclear disaster in Japan has caused a radical change of thinking in Switzerland. Countless approaches have been made to Parliament, all of which have had to be debated by the National Council and

13

Further information about sessions and Swiss politics on is available on www.admin.ch Nadine Gerber is a journalist working in the multimedia editorial department for Swiss TV news: As part of its public service, Swiss TV daily news offers comprehensive online reports on ballots, votes and sessions. www.tagesschau.sf.tv

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Contributed by Caroline Thonger

14

A Visit to the Federal Palace The Curia Confoederationis Helveticae or Swiss Parliament building, built in the Renaissance style, dominates the Berne skyline.

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esigned by the architect Hans Auer, the building was inaugurated on 1 April 1902. The total cost at the time was just under 7.2 million Swiss francs.

SWITZERLAND

From the visitors’ entrance on the south side of the Federal Palace, overlooking the river Aare, a charmingly enthusiastic guide conducted our group of around 20 to view the splendid Hall of the Dome, which separates the two chambers. The outside of the dome soars to 64m, but it’s equally impressive when viewed from the inside. The stained glass central mosaic, which we all had to crane our necks to look at 33m above our heads, represents the Federal coat of arms together with its Latin motto Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno (One for all, and all for one). It’s surrounded by the coats-of-arms of the 22 cantons existing in 1902. The coatof-arms of the Canton of Jura, created as recently as 1979, was placed outside the mosaic. There are also stained glass windows depicting education, public works, defence and justice. At each of the compass points the windows portray the principal industries in Switzerland, such as textiles and agriculture.

The Chamber of the National Council, where the 200 parliamentary seats are arranged in a semi-circle in front of the Speaker’s dais, is dominated by a large fresco painted by Giron.

This represents the birth of the Swiss Confederation, and shows the Rütli meadow with the two peaks of the Mythen in the background. The story of Switzerland’s legendary hero William Tell is depicted on the left of the mural.

Above the mural, there is a representation another story recounting the deeds of Switzerland’s forefathers. All around the Chamber, a frieze of heraldic arms is decorated with the escutcheons of 59 important municipalities, grouped according to canton. Along the semicircular back wall, seats resembling Gothic choir-stalls are provided for the Councillors of State, who walk across to the National Council when the United Federal Assembly is in session.

In 1993 this Chamber was extensively restored for the first time since its inauguration. We were intrigued to learn about the “cheat-proof” electronic system of voting and that in debates of major significance, members will vote according to their conscience rather than having to follow their particular

party’s policy (in complete contrast to the British system, for example). Our guide showed us the microphone located below the Speaker, where individual members stand in order to address all the other members in the Chamber.

The Chamber of the Council of States is adorned by another large mural, painted by Albert Welti and depicting a Landesgemeinde (outdoor gathering of citizens) in Obwalden. This gathering is one of the shining examples of Swiss parliamentary procedure, now known as “direct democracy”. The dates inscribed are landmarks in the constitutional history of Switzerland.

Situated above the main entrance facing the Bundesplatz (Federation Square), the Chamber is illuminated by daylight pouring through three tall arched windows. Our group entered this Chamber through the side arcades, which are overlooked by the visitors’ gallery.

According to official statistics, the newly renovated and modernised parliament building attracts more than a hundred thousand visitors a year. In consequence visits have to be booked well in advance, and can sometimes take up to six months to organise. We were therefore very privileged to be able to participate in this visit, organised as part of the “Upcoming Network Events” published in the last issue of the magazine. The visit concluded with a convivial apéro in the bar area where important visitors to the Federal Palace are entertained.

This evening tour gave us all a fascinating insight into Swiss democracy at work.

For more information, you can obtain your free copy of an excellent publication produced by the Federal Chancellery in the four official languages of Switzerland as well as in English by sending a self-addressed label to: SFBL, Distribution of Publications, 3003 Bern. www.bundespublikationen.admin.ch

For information on visits to the Federal Palace, follow the link www.parlament.ch

To see photos of the visit, follow the link www.packimpex.ch

Contributed by Martin D. Hirsch

Lost and Found

15

A Cautionary Tale for the Unsuspecting Traveler. s American expats living in Switzerland, my wife and I frequently enjoy exploring colorful Alpine villages, lakeside hamlets and quaint, medieval cities that seem like postal codes in Paradise. But as we learned the hard way, European vacations can just as easily become slippery slopes down the rabbit-hole of disaster for the unwary.

The first five days of our road trip through the Jungfrau Region to Italy were like heaven. After checking out of our hotel on Lake Como, we arrived at the car ferry in Bellagio in time for its departure to Menaggio on the far side of Lago Maggiore. From there, we would pick up the highway to Lugano for a quick lunch before continuing on our way.

In Lugano, a beautiful lakeside city in the Ticino, we began looking for a public parking garage in an area we felt sure would be chock full of convenient spots for pizza or a bowl of spaghetti.

The garage with the blue “P” for parking sign that said “Centro” indicated it had some open spaces. But our spiraling drive from bottom to top and back again proved futile, and our exit was then momentarily blocked by a small cavalcade of buses. This was to prove the first step on our journey down that

Lugano’s old town centre

rabbit-hole, but ironically the magic key to our safe return.

Enjoying lunch at a restaurant near the lake

Fortunately we found a handy parking space on the street, where we deposited two Swiss francs for the time required into the pay machine and set out looking for a restaurant. To our frustration none appeared, as we wended our way ever deeper into the maze of narrow streets. We passed a distinctive-looking Asiatica antiques shop, which struck me as a memorable landmark for finding our way back.

Finally we came upon a little familyrun Italian restaurant near the lake that was just right. We each had a delicious bowl of pasta, paid the check, and headed back to our car to continue our heretofore delightful and trouble-free journey. Except after walking more and more rapidly through increasingly unfamiliar-looking territory, we were forced to face facts: we were totally lost.

For a split second I thought we were saved when I spotted an Asiatica antiques shop. But it turned out we were in a district that was full of them. So much for my landmark. My wife began to fume, and although one could argue that we had gotten ourselves into this fine mess together, it was clear on whose shoulders the blame for this fiasco fell.

Despite my agitation I suddenly remembered the wisdom of two great men. The first was the Godfather, Don Vito Corleone, who so memorably advised his son Michael: “Women and children can afford to be careless, but never men.” The second wise man was the Buddha who some three thousand years ago in one of his Four Noble Truths stated that stuff like this, and much worse, happened all the time.

Suddenly I spotted a sign indicating the local police station, and cautiously approached the first policeman I saw. He spoke only Italian, but quickly found a

fellow officer who knew some English.

Ushering me into his office the second policeman demanded some identification to run through his computer.

Once he realized I had no criminal record, his initially stern and interrogating demeanor softened and he asked me why I had come for help.

“I’ve done something molto stupido,” I confessed, and then explained our predicament.

He asked for my license plate number and proceeded mercifully to send a message out on the police radio, instructing officers in the area to be on the lookout for our wayward little Audi.

Then he asked me where my wife was.

“Outside somewhere being mad at me,” I confessed again.

The young officer asked if we might recognize the area where we parked our car if he drove us around in the vicinity. My wife remembered that little cavalcade of buses and the policeman thought of a depot that connected to a parking garage. The officer and his partner got into a police car with my wife and me, and within about five minutes I spotted our car. We were saved!

Thanks to the above-and-beyond-thecall-of-duty assistance of Officer Gottardi of the Polizia Cantonale in Lugano, my wife and I could gratefully resume our vacation and add this experience to the rich tapestry of our lives. If I ever have the opportunity to return such a priceless favor to another lost soul, I’ll remember the young officer and offer my help.

Martin D. Hirsch is a communications consultant and freelance writer who lives in Basel.

SWITZERLAND

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Contributed by M. Stannard

Brief News from Basel Guided tour with a difference If you’re new to Basel, it can be a bit intimidating facing a ticket machine for the tram or train for the first time. And how exactly do you cope with recycling, and how does rubbish collection work? Luckily there’s now a guided tour with a difference, which answers all these practical questions and many more. Forget the city hall, the Tinguely fountain and the cathedral for the time being; they can wait till you’ve got the practical things of life sorted out. For more information, visit www.basel.com under City Tours.

Citybeach High above the Messeplatz in KleinBasel is a real holiday haven: a sandy beach, swimming pool, palm trees, deck chairs, bars, snacks, lounges, beach volley ball, everything you need to relax in the sun. This is the third year that Citybeach has been installed on the top of the trade fair carpark building, and unfortunately the last because of rebuilding plans. The search is on for another suitable place, but it’s going to be difficult. Open every day till September. www.city-beach.ch

If you haven’t had enough of 1 August after that, there are plenty of other communities outside Basel who celebrate on the day itself, also with festivals and firework displays. www.basel.ch

Basel Tattoo Unique in Switzerland and the second biggest such event in the world, the Basel Tattoo is being held for the sixth time this year, at the Kaserne on 16-23 July. There’s seating for around 7,500 spectators at each performance, with two performances a day except on 16/18/19 July. But it’s worth getting tickets for the later one at 21:30 to enjoy the beautiful light display that accompanies the traditional pipe & drum

17 music, brass bands and dance displays.

Outside the Kaserne is Tattoo Street where you can enjoy a wide variety of refreshments (and with any luck meet some of the performers), and there’s a street parade through the city centre with all 1,000 players on 23 July. The music is not just marches but includes more contemporary hits from stars like the Beatles, Queen and Michael Jackson. Groups come from 17 countries this year, including the famous band of the Coldstream Guards and others from the British Isles, several from Germany, Australia and the USA, one from Japan and a number of Swiss groups, including the Swiss Highlanders. The highlight of the evening is the massed bands, which fill the entire square. www.baseltattoo.ch

Like many other communities in Switzerland, Basel celebrates the traditional 1 August national day on the day before, 31 July. The whole of the Rhineside is one glorious street party, with local clubs and riverside hostelries setting out stalls, benches and tables for all comers (the Kleinbasel side is noticeably more multicultural!). Over 100,000 people invade the city centre to enjoy the river sport displays on the Rhine and other spectacles. The pièce de resistance is the firework display at the end of the evening, from not just one but two barges in the Rhine, one below the Mittelerebrucke and the other above (they’re identical displays).

The Basel Tattoo is being held 16-23 July (photo courtesy of Basel Tattoo 2011)

BASEL

1 August on the Rhine

Contributed by Anitra Green

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Local Talent The English-language cultural scene in Basel has a lot to offer, also for people who want to take active part.

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hen Basel theatre decided to put together a special programme for English speakers a few years ago, dubbed the English Abo, it was one more sign of a growing movement in Basel towards providing live entertainment in English and other events with a British/American background. It’s been interesting to watch how popular anything with a Scottish flavour has become, for example: you only have to look at the huge success of the Basel Tattoo at the Kaserne in July, which is a sell-out within days, or the growing presence of drum and pipe bands playing Guggemusik at Fasnacht.

The Anglo-Saxon community had a wonderful chance of enjoying a good cross-section of its native culture at the “Royal Wedding Party” at the end of April in the Mustermesse, the trade fair centre. Organised by local Honorary British Consul Alan Chalmers, it was a tremendous success and made a real hit with the local media. It seems Basel is starting to sit up and take notice of its growing ex-pat community!

BASEL

So we had the Alte Garde of the Pipes & Drums of Basel, and a squad of young ladies from the School of Highland Dancing doing a very nifty sword dance. A dance display of a very different style was presented by the local Morris Dancing Group, most of them happening to live over the border in France. This ancient form of fertility dance, dating back from pre-Christian times, has been enjoying a revival in recent years, and many groups now also accept women. www.chamerion.ch/ferrette-morris A wedding demands songs on a matrimonial theme, which were duly provided by the Umbrella Singers, with a selection from Gilbert & Sullivan.

They’re well known to the local G&S association, the Savoyards, which organises a number of activities including concert and singalong evenings.

The Morris Dancing Group at the public viewing of the Royal Wedding at the Mustermesse

Now this group is starting to look for singing members as well as G&S fans; they held a highly successful workshop earlier this year. www.savoyards.ch The Semi-Circle did their bit for the royal wedding with a song from their forthcoming production “Rent”, to be presented at the Scala on 16-19 June.

An award-winning rock opera, it’s being performed in the original version for the first time in Switzerland. The Semi-Circle group started up years ago and has mostly (not always) stuck to plays in the past. In the meantime it’s gained a loyal following for its yearly programme of one main production and one evening of one-act plays. It’s regularly invited to take part at FEATS European theatre festival, being held in Geneva in June this year. This time it will perform “Death of a Clown”, which you can also see in Basel. The group has about 90 members but they’re always looking for more, either to act or backstage. www.semi-circle.ch

An offshoot of the Semi-Circle is the highly popular Basel English Panto Group, which has its own cellar for rehearsals and performs at the Scala.

For the pre-Christmas season this year they’ll be doing “Treasure Island”; not a traditional tale for a panto but it’s bound to be great fun as usual, with lots of children both on stage and off. www.baselpanto.ch Then there’s Upstart Entertainment, a group with a rather different aim in that it was founded to give aspiring young talent a chance to gain experience at professional level. They are brilliant; they mostly perform musicals, also original works, and their next venture is “Shakespeare in the Courtyard: A Summer Open-Air Festival”. This is a completely new concept using the very beautiful courtyard of the 13th century Schöneshaus, the English Seminar building at Nadelberg 6. The first production in what it is hoped will be an annual event is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in August/September. www.upstart-entertainment.ch

Contributed by Anitra Green

Book Review Tasneem’s Indian-Pakistani Cuisine Made Easy

By Tasneem Ahmad, in English and German ISBN 978-3-9523668-0-6

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his is a lovely book: large format, lots of colourful pictures and helpful hints, easy-to-follow instructions, practical layout with one recipe per page, and just made for people who are living in this country but are still curious about Indian or Pakistani cookery.

As it’s in two languages, you can easily refer to the German text to find the German names of the ingredients so you know exactly what to buy.

There’s a good selection of typical recipes, including a lot of vegetarian ones and suggestions for variations; a particularly useful feature if you want

19 to try something but haven’t got all the right ingredients. I read the recipe on Tandoori with great interest; it’s something I’ve never attempted, but have the feeling I will, very soon. Some of the recipes give alternative methods, which is very practical: fish in spicy green sauce for example, where you can fry the fish in batter or not, depending on preference. And no fewer than three different methods for making almond and pistachio milk.

The desserts are amazing: mostly with nuts and highly calorific, and quite different from anything you get in Europe.

Since it’s an easy cookery book, there are no recipes for naan bread or any of the other flatbreads. As Tasneem points out, they’re readily available in most places, and all you have to do is heat them up (she tells you how).

As well as recipes, Tasneem has included a short section on the history of Indian-Pakistani cooking, and a lovely page at the back about colours, which have very specific meanings in this culture.

More than just a cookery book then, and an ideal present for the curious cook. www.india-pakistani-cuisine.com

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20

Bread and Circuses The traditional Roman festival at Augusta Raurica.

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he Rhine has always been an effective border. The Romans used it a barrier against the German hordes to the north, and built a series of defensive camps and towns along its banks. One of the biggest and best is Augusta Raurica, which is within easy reach of

Basel and has a fine range of relics on view in its huge open-air museum. It also has a lovely indoor museum with some fine Roman treasures in it, a recreated Roman house, an animal park and the most well preserved Roman theatre north of the Alps.

This year it’s holding its traditional Roman festival for the 16th time on 27/28 August. Everyone one dresses up in tunics and togas; the forum is completely given over to stands selling various Roman delicacies, including honeyed wine, and artefacts, and there’s a full programme of events, also for children. Don’t miss the chariot race, the gladiators, the legionaries, the sideshows and the fantastic atmosphere of ancient Rome. You can even have dinner Roman-style, reclining on a divan with a wreath round your head.

There’s plenty to do at other times too: workshops, public excavations and guided tours which bring the history of Augusta Raurica back to life. How about taking your children along to bake Roman bread in a real Roman oven? Or do a bit of supervised digging on their own account, for real, hands-on archaeology.

The Roman theatre has its own programme of events, and not only during the Roman festival. Beautifully restored, it’s a unique venue for concerts and plays: anyone who heard “Carmina Burana” sung there a couple of years ago will never forget it.

For more information on Augusta Raurica, visit their website (also in English): www.augusta-raurica.ch

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Contributed by M. Stannard

New Lease of Life for the Old Markthalle

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Once a wholesale fruit and vegetable market, the Markthalle is being transformed into a “city in the city”.

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f you’re anywhere near the station, you can hardly miss it: a huge dome now flanked by a new high-rise building that towers above the Heuwaage and the entrance to one of Basel’s main carparks. This is one of the biggest redevelopment projects in the city, which boasts that it will have everything when it opens next year: shops, restaurants, bars, lounges, entertainment areas, offices and no less than 45 modern apartments on twelve floors in the highrise block, with parking underneath.

The story is fascinating. The dome itself is one of the largest reinforced concrete domes in the world. It was built in 1928/29, with surrounding buildings

The Markthalle

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And there the market stayed, for almost 80 years, until 2004. In the meantime the dome, with its surrounding buildings, had been put under preservation order, for it is rather special: 60 metres in diameter, 25 metres high and only 8.5 cm thick: a real masterpiece. As it was a wholesale market, all of its business was done in the early morning hours, and it was quite definitely closed to the general public. This business, too, has been shifted further out of the city.

The dome, which is very conveniently situated between the main station and the city centre, stood empty for several years while everyone decided what they wanted to do with it. Ideas came thick and fast (one was Polaris, a zoo project with a penguin theme), before the shopping mall concept took root.

In the meantime it enjoyed occasional temporary use as a disco, dance-floor and so on, and one year it was taken over

by Citybeach for a season and covered with sand, palm-trees and deck-chairs.

At present it’s still a building site. But next year the dome will be open for all to see in pristine glory, with shopping, gastronomy and facilities for events on two floors. The heart of the entire project will be the room under the dome itself, a one-thousand-square-metre area available for events of every kind. The opening date will be sometime in spring 2012, but if you’ve been lucky enough to rent one of the modern flats, you’ll have to wait till summer before you can move in. www.markthalle-basel.ch

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for offices, shops and restaurants, in just over a year (an astoundingly short time by modern standards), at a cost of around CHF 3 million. The idea was to provide a large covered market for the sale of fruit, vegetables and flowers grown by local farmers and market gardeners, from Alsace as well. This was because the Barfüsserplatz, where they used to sell their wares, was proving difficult to reach as the city expanded its borders.

Before that, this plot of land was used by the SBB as their coal-yard; they only sold it because they wanted to shift their coal dumps further outside the city.

Contributed by Anitra Green

22

Bookshop of the Year A well-earned award for Bider & Tanner with Musik Wyler.

CALL FOR A FREE CONSULTANCY +41 (0)76 368 9515

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ituated on a busy corner near the museums and big banks, Bider & Tanner is an independent book dealer that’s been specialising in English books as well as a range of other books in German for several decades. It has a spacious shop on two floors, which makes it a real pleasure to go and browse, and its owners, Jens and Franziska Stocker, are not shy of expanding even further.

Within the last few years, they’ve added the premises next door, which they’re using for the children’s book section, and they also opened out their cellar level to accommodate Musik Wyler, who moved there from the centre of town. This means that B&T’s store offers a full range of books, audiobooks and CDs. On top of that, it has a ticket corner and an online ticket service for events all over Switzerland, and is heavily involved in the cultural scene.

“We hold two or three events per week ourselves, and are involved with all kinds of other activities as well, like the Literaturhaus, Basel theatre, the Kultkino, the Kammerorchester Kammerorchester, the jazz festival, and so on,” said Jens Stocker to Hello Switzerland Switzerland. A recent event was the launch of a new book on the famous 175-year-old salt works of this region, with aperitif and musical entertainment, which attracted 180 people.

BASEL

This bookshop is not just a bookshop, then, but a music shop and a cultural centre as well. No wonder it’s been named Bookshop of the Year by the Swiss association of book dealers and publishers SBVV. The association was founded over 160 years ago and has more than 500 members in the German and Romansch language areas of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, from small local bookshops to major publishers.

In awarding the title to B&T, the SBVV pays tribute to the Basel bookshop’s “first class range of products with innovative ideas in a competitive envi-

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Bider & Tanner, Bookshop of the Year

ronment”, which they say also shows that it is possible to run an independent bookshop like this successfully on a big scale.

Plans for new English department Visitors to the shop are familiar with the English department on the first floor, which includes teaching materials for other languages as well. By the end of the year, this will be revamped and expanded with a completely new concept, according to Jens Stocker. All English publications including audiobooks will be in one department, and a whole range of other English products will be on offer as well: “a shop within a shop” as he says. He also has plans for next year, when B&T will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Hello Switzerland congratulates Bider & Tanner/Musik Wyler on their wellearned award and wishes them all the best for continued success in the future. www.biderundtanner.ch Anitra Green Originally from London, studied classics and came to Switzerland before women even had the vote.

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Contributed by Querida Long

Brief News from Berne

23

Davis Cup in Berne Tennis fans take note: Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka will play for Switzerland in the Davis Cup tie against Portugal right here in Berne from 8 to 10 July. The five matches will be played in the PostFinance Arena, but at the time of going to press ticket information was not available.

A tennis match of this caliber has never before been held in Berne, and the city and canton are honored to host this event. In addition to the official happenings, there will be tennis-themed activities on the Bundesplatz. It is hoped that young people, especially, will use this opportunity to take up the sport.

The streets around the Zytglogge are being renovated this summer (Photo: swiss-image)

The intersection in front of the Zytglogge is one of the most heavily traveled in the city and the constant flow of buses, trams, taxis and pedestrians have taken their toll on the road and tram tracks. From 11 July to 3 September the intersection will undergo a much-needed renovation.

The tram tracks will be ripped out and new ones will be laid. Bikes, cars, buses, trams and even pedestrians will have to be re-routed.

The construction zone will be surrounded by a two-meter high wall to keep down the noise and dust. Pedestrian traffic will be led around the wall and bicycle traffic will be re-routed through Hotelgasse and Zibelegässli. The trams will be replaced by buses (and because Bernmobil’s own fleet won’t cover the need, they will be renting buses from other cities, such as Basel). Buses that usually run through the Zytglogge intersection (Bus lines 10, 12 and 20) will also have an altered schedule with fewer buses.

Gurten, but that certainly isn’t all there is. You might want to start the day with brunch at a Swiss farmer’s table (www. brunch.ch). Then head to the city center to see what’s going on. The Bundeshaus (Parliament building) will be open for tours. People on the Münsterplatz will be enjoying concerts, while children are playing and creating lanterns on the Münsterplatform. For exact information, see www.bern.ch in July.

Auto-free Sunday in July

Happy Birthday Switzerland

If you’ve ever wished you could enjoy the streets of Berne without having to watch for passing cars, 3 July is your chance. Not only can you finally live out your dream of rollerblading across the Monbijou Bridge, but there will also be all sorts of special activities.

There will be music along Bundesgasse, chaise lounges on the Bundesplatz, a playground on Eigerplatz and various sports activities on Thunplatz. You can also use this day as an opportunity to try out other modes of transportation; there will be rickshaws, horse-drawn wagons and who knows what else!

In Berne the main attraction on 1 August is the fireworks display on the

The auto-free zone will include Thunplatz, Helvetiaplatz, Eigerplatz, Bundes-

platz, Bundesgasse and Hirschengraben and the streets connecting them. If you happen to live in this area, you’ll receive a flyer in June with everything you need to know about how Auto-free Sunday will affect you.

“Bern rollt” ready for summer You can get around Berne auto-free all summer long with bikes from “Bern rollt”. Bikes, skateboards and scooters can be borrowed (with a deposit of an official ID and CHF 20) from the “Bern rollt” stations at Hirschengraben and Zeughausgasse.

International Day at ISBerne The event of the year at ISBerne! Stop by the school campus during the day and visit the various country booths.

Kids will enjoy the games, especially the bouncy castle and sponge throwing, and the two ISBerne stages will provide entertainment for the crowds throughout the afternoon. The day begins with the “Parade of Nations” and ends with the raffle prize drawing.

Everyone is welcome! www.isberne.ch

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Zytglogge Renovation

Contributed by Sibylle Dickmann, SRC with photographs by Beatrix Spring, SRC

24

Worthless to You, Precious to the Blind How the Swiss Red Cross in Berne is transforming the lives of blind people in Africa and Asia.

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o you still have a gold brooch from years gone by lying in some drawer? Or a lonely single earring, or the gold chain you used to wear as a child? Or maybe you have a gold filling that the dentist took out years ago? If you’re wondering what to do with these almost-forgotten treasures, then send them to the Swiss Red Cross in Berne.

The Swiss Red Cross uses the gold and silver jewellery that you no longer wear to pay for an eye-care programme in Africa and Asia.

In our part of the world, nobody goes blind simply because they’re poor, but in Nepal, Tibet, Ghana and Togo many people lose their sight through a combination of poor nutrition and lack of hygiene. Blindness has an enormous social and economic impact in these countries. Health is the greatest asset that poor people possess; it’s the only thing they have to invest in the future.

If you can’t see, it’s almost impossible for you to work and you can’t go to school.

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Cataracts are the most common cause of poverty-related blindness. But if the necessary means are available, the operation to remove a cataract is a simple one to perform and is carried out under

Red Cross staff test children‘s eyes. Glasses are necessary to correct weak eyesight. Otherwise, these kids will be unable to follow what they are being taught and will have no chance at all.

local anaesthetic. The operation lasts 20 minutes and the wound takes 24 hours to close. The operation costs CHF 50.

As you can see, something that is of no value to you offers someone else the chance to start a new life. The money earned from selling old gold restores the sight of thousands of blind people every year, and every year thousands of children are given spectacles which enable them to learn to read and write.

The Nepali boy Ram is 10 years old and suffered from eye problems. Thanks to a surgical intervention financed by the Red Cross blindness is prevented.

This desperately needed yet effective form of aid was initiated by Max Schatzmann, a dentist in eastern Switzerland.

In the 1980s he came up with the idea of using dental gold for which the owners had no further use to sponsor a good cause, and he approached the Swiss Red Cross in Berne with his suggestion. The idea soon developed into a successful project. No wonder, because the idea of transforming unwanted gold into sight and the involvement of the Red Cross are two typically Swiss ingredients in a recipe that has been successful all over the world.

You can think of the SRC as a pocketsized representation of Switzerland.

It is organized along the lines of the Swiss confederation and every canton has its own association which groups together the organizations working at communal and regional level. This ensures that committed individuals in all the regions are motivated to relieve suffering in their immediate surroundings and to help others. This is a typically Swiss trait that Henri Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, propagated throughout the world.

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The headquarters of the Swiss Red Cross are situated in the city’s idyllic administration district, close to the American Embassy. The functional and inconspicuous office buildings are home to the world on a tiny scale.

This is where project managers support their delegates in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. It’s where Red Cross workers recount their efforts to control cholera in Haiti, and where experts put together their emergency aid plans when a catastrophe rocks the world.

And it’s the address to which the postman has been regularly delivering old jewellery and gold fillings for almost 30 years.

An Old Gold for Eyesight jewellery sale in Berne

A donation may consist of a deceased partner’s wedding ring, the rings of a divorced couple, various chains, a gold crucifix, a broken earring, gold watches, bracelets, serviette rings or silver trays.

Donations are often accompanied by moving letters or hand-made postcards that tell of sad events or happy times.

Some packages contain only a simple message. One package with contents worth CHF 20,000 arrived with a Post-it sticker with the plain words “For your use”.

But every package is proof of somebody’s wish to give a blind person a new future. A small black-and-white advert encouraged one elderly gentleman to get out a treasure that he had had for a long time: a gold brooch with flowers and leaves studded with sapphires and rubies. “I bought this piece of jewellery 50 years ago in Thailand with the intention of giving it to the woman who

would some day become my wife. But I never married. Now I am grateful to you for giving me a way of putting this jewellery to good use.” But the advert was the start of even more. The donor had a routine eye examination and was diagnosed as having glaucoma. Now, he writes, he is even happier that his gift has helped to provide treatment for people with the same condition in Asia and Africa.

Project manager Beatrix Spring received 3,909 packages like this last year. Each one is registered and the sender receives a thank-you letter. The contents of the packages are examined and valued. The best pieces are sorted out and sold at events organized by volunteer Sara von Moos. Some pieces are also sold through the SRC’s online shop.

Scrap gold and items that remain unsold for a long time are sent to Cendres &

Métaux SA in Biel every three months, to be melted down. The money the Red Cross receives for this gold enables the organization to relieve poverty-related blindness. Beatrix Spring likes to illustrate the success of this project in terms of cataract operations. In 2010, clouded lenses in the eyes of 5,855 people were replaced. “All these eyes can now see again. Isn’t that miraculous?”

This simple and brilliant idea has given countless people the chance to build a new future. Yet for some time there has been a menacing cloud looming over the collection of old gold. Gold is currently commanding high prices, and the newspapers are full of adverts from gold dealers exhorting people to sell. This is why the generosity of people who donate jewellery or money to support the Gold for Eyesight project is now all the more important.

Every year the Swiss Red Cross work enables thousands of people in Nepal, Tibet, Togo, Mali and Ghana to have eye examinations, to be treated and to be taught about the causes of blindness. The foundation of this work is formed by the widespread network of local Red Cross volunteers. They inform about eye diseases, perform sight tests and eye examinations, and refer patients to a health centre. This enables many eye disorders to be identified at an early stage, thus preventing blindness. Leading on from this commitment, the Swiss Red Cross is participating in the international Vision 2020 “right to sight” campaign to prevent and cure poverty-related blindness. Vision 2020 underlines the longterm orientation of the project.

It takes only 50 francs to restore the eyesight of a person with cataracts.

Thank you for your kind donation.

Postal account: 30-4200-3, Reference: “Eyesight” Address: Swiss Red Cross, Eyesight, Rainmattstrasse 10, 3001 Berne

BERNE

Vision 2020 The right to sight

Contributed by Mary McKinley

26

Ice Cream and Ruins A day well spent.

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f you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise. No teddy bears per se, but who needs them when there are ancient ruins to discover and home-made cakes to be tried? Plus ice cream for the kids, drinks for the adults, and the nicest bit of the river Aare that I have yet to see.

The woods here aren’t vast, but the perfect size for a day’s exploration.

And rather than being in the middle of nowhere, they are only a quick train or bus ride from Berne, in the city’s backyard really. This is the Reichenbachwald and nestled snugly between that and the loop of the river, the restaurant Zehndermätteli is the perfect conclusion to your walk.

Not to be missed This little river peninsula is a natural paradise for families, couples, retirees and anyone else who enjoys beautiful scenery and tasty treats. In case you can only come once, here is my list of things not to miss: • The Roman ruins: Located in the middle of quiet forest, they are one of Berne’s best-kept secrets. With hardly anyone around, you are free to stay a while, read up about the history and imagine life centuries ago.

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• Zehndermätteli’s garden restaurant: sit under a tree and enjoy a wide selec-

Relax and enjoy a drink at the garden restaurant

tion of drinks and treats. If you are looking for a more substantial meal, their fish is excellent. And if you’ve brought your own picnic, there are benches for you too (as long as you order drinks).

• Fantastic playground: directly next to the chicken pens, between the restaurant and the river, there is a truly lovely play area with little hills and a rowboat on which children are free to climb and play. Nothing fancy, but just right for a child with imagination.

• Quiet beach: past the playground and to the left there is a perfect little beach. The river is slower here, so little feet can test the water and dogs can splash about without being swept away.

The ferry to Zehndermätteli

At Zehendermätteli there is plenty to keep you occupied, especially if you bring the kids, so leave yourself enough time to enjoy it all and relax.

Recommended route There are many ways to get there, but here is my favorite for just the right mix of adventure and convenience.

Take the local train from Berne to Tiefenau. Exit the station following the direction of the train and go left to make your way up to Reichenbachstrasse, and then go right. You’ll come to an interesting looking church with a massive modern bell tower, behind which there is a field. Sitting humbly in this normal-looking stretch of grass you’ll find your first ruins: a tiny amphitheatre. If you’re like me, you’ll take a moment to recite a few lines of poetry or re-enact a scene from Gladiator.

When you’re finished, return to the street and go right: the woods are just a little further on.

When it’s time to go home, head out past the greenhouses and down to the river to catch the ferry; though the river is so narrow here that it feels you could almost swim it. The ferry costs CHF 2 per person and CHF 1for kids, dogs and bikes. During the summer the last one leaves at 21:00, so don’t miss it or else you really will have to float yourself across. Alternatively you’ll have to walk back up to Tiefenau station, and that’s a steep hill after a day of walking and/or sampling the drinks at the restaurant. Once across the river, you are in Bremgarten. Just follow the path left, veer up to the road and head left again. It’s only a few minutes’ walk to the bus station at Bremgarten Schloss.

You’ll probably want the 21 bus going back to Berne; conveniently that’s the side with shelter and seats. It takes just over 10 minutes to get to the train station, and you can buy your ticket from the machine on the bus. I think you’ll agree: it was a day well spent.

Reichenbachwald fills out a small peninsula formed by the river; perfect, geographically speaking, for exploring with the certainty that you can’t get very lost. If you are already feeling peckish, turn left and go downhill directly to Zehndermätteli for a snack. But if you can hold out, continue straight on and explore! Somewhere near the center there are substantial Roman ruins of ... well, I’ll let you find them. Then wander around the forest paths to your heart’s content, and when you are ready follow the river left to the restaurant.

Mary McKinley Mary was born in California. Her family moved to Ireland for several years before returning to live in San Diego. After receiving her BA in sociology she married and lived with her British husband in the Southwest of England for 3 years before moving to Switzerland. She, her husband and their two dogs are really enjoying their new home.

Contributed by Barbara Gnägi

Berne Cluster Day’s 10th Anniversary

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This year the Berne Economic Development Agency (BEDA) organized the 10th Berne Cluster Day. ive hundred innovative entrepreneurs followed the invitation of the canton and heard how two start-up companies will manage to make the jump into the market and how the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI of the Confederation can assist in this process.

presented the strategy and tactics of the promotion of innovation, explaining how the CTI supports the know-how transfer from university to industry and which tools they use to ensure that the rollout of a new product is successful.

More information on CTI: www.kti.admin.ch

Denis Grisel, director of BEDA, opened the “make the jump into the market” themed evening of the annually held Berne Cluster Day in Berne on 9 May. He underlined that the event has now been organized for the tenth time and is still growing, starting at 200 until today with 500 participants.

According to Denis Grisel the event has improved the perception of the Canton of Berne as an industrial location, developed the networking between the participants as well as given them impulses for innovations, cooperations and know-how transfer. Furthermore he presented the activities of the clusters for this year.

Practical Examples The companies CEyeClon and Epionics Medical presented their projects as practical examples.

Support of know-how and technology transfer The keynote speech was held by Walter Steinlin, president of the Commission for Technology and Innovation CTI. The CTI is the Confederation’s innovation promotion agency and lends support to R&D projects, to entrepreneurship as well as to the development of start-up companies. Walter Steinlin

CEyeClon is a start-up located in Biel and provides a laboratory network that enables their users to practice their skills in an online laboratory. The advantage of the so-called remote workplace is that it does not depend on opening hours or location. You can log into the laboratory anytime from wherever you are. The Berne University of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Information Technology and the Professional College of Engineering in Biel (HFT Biel) both helped in the development of the product, which makes it a great example of how know-how can be transferred. Remote workplaces are already being used at Siemens and at the engineering college of ABB. Epionics Medical presented their new diagnostic procedure for backache Epionics SPINE. In order to bring their product to the market they contacted

What is the Berne Cluster Day? The Berne Cluster Day is a networking event for company and university representatives. The event aims to uncover the activities of companies, universities and R&D institutes as well as to foster networking in order to create innovation. Attending cluster organizations, founded in the Canton of Berne, are: Medical Cluster, tcbe.ch – ICT Cluster Bern, Switzerland, Precision Cluster, Consulting Cluster and energie-cluster.ch. The event is held in German.

Simultaneous translation in French is available.

More information on clusters in the Canton of Berne: www.berneinvest.com/kernkompetenzen_en

Thomas Zürcher and Daniel Sigron of CEyeClon AG from Biel present their remote workplace.

the Medical Cluster and the Competence Center for Medical Technology (CCMT). Thanks to these organizations the start-up from Potsdam, Germany is now collaborating with the Berne University of Applied Sciences. The diagnostic system registers all movements within a 24 hour period and evaluates possible deficiencies. This enables the physician or therapist to be objective in terms of treatment and recovery assessment. Additionally the system offers many possibilities for application and development. The market launch is planned for this year.

For more information on the Berne Cluster Day please visit: www.berneinvest.com/bcd11 Berne Economic Development Agency www.berneinvest.com

BERNE

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Social Insurance Contributions W

e are often asked by foreign nationals who have been working in Switzerland and who leave their jobs here to go to another country what happens to the money they have in the Swiss AHV/AVS (Swiss statutory old age and survivors’ insurance) fund and in the company pension fund.

The answer depends on the nationality of the person concerned and the country that he or she moves to. Switzerland has agreements with certain countries on the reciprocal treatment of social insurance contributions. In addition to opening up the labour market, the agreement on the free movement of workers between Switzerland and the EU regulates the coordination of social insurance contributions. It applies to all EU citizens on the territory of EU member states. There is a similar agreement with the EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and numerous additional bilateral agreements with other states. We will restrict our remarks here to the regulations that apply between Switzerland and the EU/ EFTA states.

These agreements aim solely to coordinate, and not to harmonise the various social insurance systems. The principle is that people in gainful employment should pay social insurance contributions (old-age insurance and health insurance) in only one country. In most cases, this will be the country where they work. If they work in more than one country, they normally pay their social insurance contributions in the country where they live.

Transfers of contributions that have already been paid are only possible in a few cases. In the agreement on the free movement of workers, the rule is that the contributions remain in the country where they were paid, but a pension will also be paid to people living abroad.

AHV/AVS benefits If an EU/EFTA citizen stops working in Switzerland and then moves to an EU/ EFTA country, AHV/AVS contributions that they have paid into the AHV/AVS fund in Switzerland as an employee cannot be transferred to an insurance fund in the EU/EFTA country. A cash payment of the contributions is not permitted either. The relevant contributions remain in the Swiss social insurance fund. When the person concerned reaches retirement age, he or she will be entitled to an AHV/AVS pension from Switzerland, provided the contributions have been paid for the minimum insurance period of one year. The amount of the pension will be calculated on the basis of the period over which the insurance contributions have been paid in Switzerland. The same principle applies to invalidity pensions, although in their case the minimum insurance period amounts to 3 years.

Occupational pension benefits In the case of the statutory occupational pension scheme, a distinction is made between the statutory minimum benefits (mandatory benefits scheme) and extra-mandatory benefits. A cash

Keep track of your money when you move

payment of the withdrawal benefits under the mandatory benefits scheme when leaving Switzerland is not permitted if the person concerned is still required to have insurance in the EU/ EFTA state. This part of the pension fund must be paid into a blocked account in Switzerland (either a vested benefits account or a vested benefits policy) chosen by the insured person.

The requirement to transfer the fund to a blocked account also applies to people who are not citizens of an EU/EFTA state, but who are permanently resident in an EU/EFTA state and are required to have insurance there.

On reaching the normal retirement age or at the earliest five/seven years before normal retirement age (depending on the regulations applicable), an application can be made to the relevant institution (bank or insurance company), which then may or must transfer the balance of the blocked account from Switzerland to the person entitled to it in the EU/EFTA state.

By way of exception, a cash payment of the pension scheme assets is possible on leaving Switzerland if the person concerned intends to work on a self-employed basis in an EU/EFTA state, and there is no obligation for self-employed persons to have insur-

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What happens to your social insurance contributions if you move abroad?

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ance in the state in question. The pension scheme assets accumulated in Switzerland can also be withdrawn in cash if they are needed abroad to fund the purchase of residential property for personal use. Furthermore, a cash payment is possible if the person leaving Switzerland can prove that he or she will no longer be under an obligation to have insurance in the EU/EFTA state.

Whether a cash payment can be used to purchase additional benefits in the pension fund at the new place of employment depends on the laws and regulations at the new place of employment.

The extra-mandatory portion of the withdrawal benefits is not subject to the rule prohibiting a cash pay-out. It may therefore be paid out ahead of the scheduled date if this is what the person concerned wants and the relevant pension fund regulations allow it. However, unless an application is made for the benefits to be paid out, the extramandatory assets will also be transferred to a blocked account (a vested benefits account or a vested benefits policy).

Tax treatment AHV/AVS and IV/AI (invalidity insurance) contributions can be deduced from taxable income and are therefore not liable to tax.

A cash payout of the assets held in a Pillar 3a retirement savings account is also possible, as Pillar 3a accounts are not covered by the European directives.

The annual contributions made by employees and employers to the occupational pension schemes can also be deducted from taxable income and are therefore not liable to tax. Where employees buy back previous years of insurance, in most cases this investment can again be set off against taxable income. The contributions deducted from the policyholder’s salary are shown on the annual salary certificate. The pension fund will provide the employee with a certificate detailing purchases of additional benefits.

As a result, no tax need be paid on pension contributions during the capital accumulation period.

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AHV/AVS pensions paid to people living abroad are not liable to tax in Switzerland. The pension will be taxed in accordance with the regulations applicable in the country where the recipient is resident when the pension payments are made.

The benefits under occupational pension schemes are taxed when they are claimed (pensions, lump-sum payments, withdrawals to purchase residential property). Pensions are taxed as income along with any other income. Lumpsum payments are taxed separately from other income (they are liable to direct federal tax and cantonal and communal tax, normally at a special rate). The cantonal and communal tax on a lumpsum payment is payable in one of two ways. Where the person concerned is still resident in Switzerland at the time

of the request for payment, the payment is taxed according to the tariffs of the canton and commune of domicile.

If the person is already abroad at the time that the request is made, the tariffs of the place where the pension institution is based apply. A tax advantage can therefore be obtained by making sure that the request for payment is made at the better time, either while still resident in Switzerland or later, depending on whether the rate of tax at the place of residence or at the office of the pension institution is lower.

If a person receiving benefits has already moved abroad, Switzerland charges withholding tax on the benefits paid out. The withholding tax is deducted by the pension institution.

A person subject to withholding tax may reclaim the tax deducted at source provided his or her country of residence has a double taxation agreement with Switzerland. The application for the refund of withholding tax must be filed by the taxpayer directly with the tax authority concerned. The pension fund will provide the correct form.

Where a person moves to a country that does not have a double taxation agreement with Switzerland, in some circumstances both countries can tax the capital payment and the tax cannot be reclaimed. This is a case of genuine double taxation.

Pensions that are paid to people living abroad are also liable to withholding tax unless this is excluded by the relevant double taxation agreement.

Donatus Hürzeler Tax attorney Head of Tax and Legal for the Mittelland Area BDO AG E-mail: donatus.huerzeler@bdo.ch Tel.: 031 327 17 90

© 2010 EYGM Limited. All Rights Reserved.

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32

Discover Switzerland: Castles and So Much More The 26 Cantons of Switzerland number an astonishing 450 castles, forts and ancient ruins between them.

Here are just some of the treasures you can explore.

Fairytales and Fortifications: the North s typical border country with the natural barriers of the Rhine and the Jura, the Basel region has dozens of castles clearly reflecting the turbulent history of this area. Many of them are spectacular ruins, which have been partially renovated to make them safe, but some of them have been reconstructed and put to various uses.

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One of finest in the area is the Bottmingerschloss, a romantic fairy-tale castle surrounded by a moat, originally built in the 13th century. The current building dates from the 17th century but has received a great many extensions and embellishments since then, including a large terrace and a socalled English park. It first opened as a restaurant in 1987, and despite being sadly neglected in the 1930s it has never looked back.

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Now a protected building owned by the canton of Basel-Land, it has been carefully renovated and is in beautiful condition: in the Christmas season people come from far and wide to admire the fabulous decorations that cover the entire castle and are reflected in the moat. The high-class restaurant is very popular, especially with people who want to book in for weddings and

Bottmingerschloss

Kyburg Castle (© swiss-image)

other celebrations like special birthdays: there are gorgeously appointed rooms of every size on three floors, including the Rittersaal for 160 people. www.weiherschloss.ch Burg Rotberg at Mariastein is another imposing, storybook castle, situated in the forest on the side of the Blauen.

Built in the mid-13th century, it fell into disuse three centuries later and became practically speaking a ruin. In 1933, it was rebuilt with the help of young people who were out of work and a number of generous donations, and opened two years later as a youth hostel.

The castle is often used by groups, anything from school classes to Swiss government ministers. It’s also a super place for live concerts and other events: a jazz concert and a Walpurgisnacht party (traditional witches’ night) were held there in April, and the next event is a summer party with live concert on 20 August. www.youthhostel.ch/en/hostels/ burg-rotberg Kyburg Castle in the Zurich Unterland was built in the 11th century, almost entirely destroyed, and rebuilt beginning about 1200. After passing from the Kyburg family to the Habsburgs, it has been owned by the canton of Zurich for much of the past five hundred years.

No longer a governor’s mansion, it is open to the public as a museum. There

are displays showing what life was like for the governors and their families, and the less fortunate respectively, in their day. There are several hands-on areas, in which children and adults are welcome to try on clothing and armour like those worn by mediaeval knights and ladies. www.schlosskyburg.ch Aargau, with its important waterways, has several castles, including four run by the canton as museums from April through October. Lenzburg and Hallwyl Castles both feature mediaeval events and spectacles for both adults and children. Wildegg Castle has fascinating flower and vegetable gardens that follow the traditions of past centuries. Habsburg Castle, begun about 1030, was the original seat of that rather successful family. www.ag.ch Zug Castle, surrounded by a circular wall and perched partway up the hill, looks only slightly incongruous above what is now the old town. First built around 1200, it was restored in the 1980s to how it looked in the mid-18th century, with an older white-walled section somewhat precariously supporting a newer section with wooden beams. Now it is a museum focusing on Zug’s history. This year there is a special exhibition of industrial design. www.burgzug.ch

Romantic Lakes: Constance, Lucerne and Thun

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n the north-eastern corner of Switzerland near Lake Constance there are four lovely castles that are available for rent for weddings, seminars and other events: gourmet banquets in a fairytale setting!

You can tell by looking at Hagenwil Castle in Thurgau, about 20 kilometres inland from Romanshorn, that it has an interesting history. Its oldest part, the stone-walled dungeon, dates from about 1200, while the outer parts with its elegant halls were added over the following five or six centuries. It is surrounded by a moat (hence its German description Wasserschloss Wasserschloss) the trenches of which were evidently dug by hand.

Inside, the décor ranges from bare stone walls to polished wood ceilings.

Arbon Castle is a beautiful 500-yearold castle in the middle of the town of

Arbon by the shore of Lake Constance.

It is surrounded by charming French gardens. The elegant white Wartegg Castle, built in 1557, became a refuge for nobility fleeing the French Revolution and for the last heirs of the AustroHungarian Empire. Wartegg Castle’s spa offers its present-day guests similar levels of relaxation (one hopes from lesser woes), not least with its oval Turquoise Bath, built in 1928 and described as the most beautiful bath in Switzerland. Wartensee Castle was built in 1243 and its buildings and grounds were extended over the next six centuries. It is now an awardwinning conference centre.

Schauensee Castle, on the hill above Kriens, was built for a newly made knight, Rudolph, at the end of the 13th century. Its round tower with a pointed roof remains from that time; the rest of the castle with its many shuttered windows was built by a later owner in 1595. The town of Kriens is the current owner of the castle, which is used as a cultural and community centre.

The area around Lake Thun has long been a favorite of tourists because it has something for everyone, including castle lovers. Starting from Interlaken West, you can even take a boat tour to visit the castles (though not all in one day). See what’s possible at: www.interlaken.ch

Schauensee Castle

Perched above the city of Thun is a castle that looks like it came straight from a fairy tale, Schloss Thun. The castle tower was built by the Dukes of Zähringen in the late 12th century and changed hands a few times before being bought by the Lords of Berne in 1384 as a residence for the governors of

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The castle also serves as the venue for a variety of events, including the Schlosskonzerte Thun from 3 to 25 June (www.schlosskonzerte-thun.ch). It is also one of three stops in the children’s discovery tour of Lake Thun Region castles called Ritterschlag that is a fun way for kids to learn about knights. www.schlossthun.ch If it’s interior design you’re interested in, Schloss Hünegg in Hilterfingen will be to your liking. The castle was built

by Baron Albert Emil Otto von Parpart in the mid-19th century in the historicist style (in keeping with local culture).

After his death Schloss Hünegg was owned by the Lemke-Schuckert family, who renovated it in 1900 in the art nouveau style. What makes this castle museum unique is that nothing has been changed since 1900; what you see are the original furnishings. www.schlosshuenegg.ch

Hagenwil Castle (© swiss-image)

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Wartegg Castle (© swiss-image)

Thun. In 1429, the gates and walls were added to the castle and it hasn’t changed much since then. In fact, its Knight’s Hall is one of the best-preserved mediaeval halls in Europe and tourists have been visiting it since 1888 when the Tower of Schloss Thun was made a museum. The Knight’s Hall is kept empty to allow visitors to get the full impact of its size, but the other four floors house a variety of exhibits on regional history and culture, including an exhibit of antique toys. At the top of the tower, you can look out of the turrets for a fabulous view of the city, the lake and the Bernese Oberland.

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More Lakes: From central Switzerland to the Lake of Geneva in the south-west

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nother stop on the Ritterschlag is Schloss Spiez, whose church dates to the 10th century. The first recorded owners were the Barons of Strättligen who in 1338 were forced to sell the castle, including the town of Spiez and several surrounding villages, to Johann II von Bubenberg, the mayor of Berne. From 1516 to 1878, Schloss Spiez was the property of the von Erlach dynasty and they were responsible for the Baroque style interiors that visitors can see today.

In addition to the castle, its Early Romanesque church and the beautiful castle grounds, Schloss Spiez has a museum with permanent exhibits about the history of the castle. This year there will also be a special exhibit that brings together the works of seven 20th century Swiss artists. www.schloss-spiez.ch Schloss Oberhofen is the other stop on the Ritterschlag. It dates back to the 13th century, and like other castles has changed hands many times. In the 14th century it was owned by the Habsburgs and then various Bernese dynasties. In 1954 it became an outpost of the Historic Museum of Berne and as of 2009 it has been an independent foundation.

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The museum at Schloss Oberhofen is home to an impressive exhibition of

Schloss Oberhofen (© swiss-image)

Schloss Spiez

Château de Prangins (next to Nyon)

interior design from the 16th to 19th centuries where visitors can experience how the Bernese upper class lived.

Not to be missed is the Turkish Smoking Salon with its breathtaking view of the six-acre castle garden with the lake and the mountains in the background.

This year the museum will also have two special exhibits, one about carriages and stables and the other about Niklaus von Scharnachthal who was once Lord of Oberhofen.

onto its terrace are treated to a magnificent view of the old town’s rooftops, the lake below, the Alps and Mont Blanc in the distance. The castle itself dates back to 1574 and underwent a complete restoration in 2006. It is now open to the public every day apart from Monday, and there is free entry every first Sunday of the month. There are temporary and permanent exhibitions inside the castle.

Check the website for special events, including the cinema in the castle courtyard in August. www.schlossoberhofen.ch Lake of Geneva (Nyon, Vaud) From the 13th century, it was the Counts of Savoy who began building a mighty castle on top of Roman ruins, dominated by five huge towers. Nowadays this castle, towering over the Old Town, houses the Museum of History and Porcelain, containing valuable items from the former porcelain manufacturing industry in Nyon.

The Château of Nyon (featured on our front cover) is a prominent landmark in the town, and visitors that walk

The town of Nyon purchased the entire building in 1804, and installed its council chambers and tribunal there, both of which were in continuous use until 1999. And the prison cells were also in use as recently as 1979. A somewhat gruesome reminder of the past can be seen in the old prison cells on the top floor, where the prisoners scrawled graffiti onto the walls. Check out the miscellaneous items that were found in the attic!

There is a lovely wine cellar in the basement and further information can be found on either of the three websites. www.nyon-tourisme.ch, www.chateaudenyon.ch www.musee-suisse.ch/e/prangins

Southern Switzerland: The Alps Valais he Alps have formed a natural defensive barrier for thousands of years. And the Rhone Valley, running between two mighty mountain ranges and dotted with dozens of natural promontories, possesses numerous castles, fortresses and ruins.

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Dominating the landscape and perched on precipitous twin outcrops overlooking much of the Rhone Valley, Sion’s two ancient castles can be seen from miles away. Throughout the Middle Ages this whole area bore witness to unremitting battles between the Bishop of Sion and the Dukes of Savoy. Valère, more of a fortified village than a castle, dates from mediaeval times. After decades of essential restoration work, the new museum was opened just three years ago to display the town’s archaeology collection. The Basilica in the centre houses the oldest playable organ in the world. Neighbouring Tourbillon was originally built as a home for the Bishop of Sion. Ravaged by fire in the 18th century, the castle is gradually being restored, and is a favourite place for walks, picnics and exploring.

From July to September both castles are charmingly enhanced by illuminations called Sion et Lumières, and concerts take place there throughout the summer. This year’s featured composer is Johann Sebastian Bach. www.siontourisme.ch

Bourg de Saillon

Further down the Rhone Valley towards Martigny, there is a little jewel to discover nestling amongst the vineyards. The mediaeval town and fortress of Saillon is simply a delight to explore: from its rounded fort at the top of the hill, its steep cobbled streets running down between ancient houses smothered in wisteria, and its authentically recreated mediaeval herb garden, to its dégustation de vins du pays (local wine-tasting) offered at a charming café belonging to the local association of cellarers.

Every four years the town celebrates its mediaeval history with a pageant featuring colourful costumes, a market, spectacular shows, processions, street events and the tasting of locally grown gastronomic specialities. The next festival will take place 8-11 September of this year. www.saillon.ch Ticino As the principal town of Switzerland’s southernmost and only Italian-speaking canton, Bellinzona boasts not one but three castles. Reached either through the Gottard Tunnel or across the Simplon Pass, these fortresses number among the finest examples of mediaeval fortification architecture in the Alpine region. The impressive fortifications, whose origins date back thousands of years to a prehistoric set-

Montebello (© swiss-image)

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Castelgrande stands 50m above the town and can be reached on foot in a matter of minutes taking the steep footpaths from Piazza Collegiata and Piazza Nosetto, or the gently winding road from Via Ortico skirting the hill of San Michele. Alternatively, there is a modern lift with access from Piazzetta Della Valle. This castle is open all year.

The hill of Montebello bears the same name as the castle on which it stands, 90m above Castelgrande. The defensive walls of the old town originate here and join up with those from the hill of San Michele. The view from the castle is spectacular to say the least, and on a clear day it is possible to see Lago Maggiore in the distance.

Fortified with extensive battlements and crenellations like the other two, the third castle is called Sasso Corbaro.

Apart from being fascinating to explore, it houses a museum with temporary exhibitions, and is open from November to March. www.bellinzonaturismo.ch

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Valère and Tourbillon

tlement on Castelgrande hill, are mainly the result of intensive and complex building activity undertaken by the Dukes of Milan in the 15th century.

The construction of powerful defence installations effectively formed a barrier right across the Ticino valley floor to halt the advance of the confederates.

The battlements, towers and gateway are still a source of wonder today.

All three castles are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list compiled in 2000.

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Contributed by Catherine Nelson-Pollard

Brief News from Romandie

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Soap opera filmed in Vaud vineyards In February a new soap opera appeared on Friday nights on Swiss TV (TSR1) called “T’es pas la Seule” or “You are not the only one”. This weekly comedic series was filmed in and around Lausanne and up in the vineyards of Vaud on a wine estate called SerreauxDessus near Begnins. It tells the story of two sisters who inherit a working vineyard from an eccentric aunt, and portrays the trials and tribulations of keeping the estate as a working venture. Inevitably there are hiccups and hazards along the way. The lovely countryside of Vaud is the star of this show and you can see a trailer of the film on the website. www.tespaslaseule.com

Continuing on with a wine theme, the new edition of “Terrific Terroir” is now out. Terrific Terroir is an annual free magazine that is devoted to Geneva’s countryside, its farm products and wines, country events, things to do, walks and cycling etc. Contents of the 2011 issue feature a just launched free App in English about the countryside called “Genève Terroir” and an article on a new wine bar in downtown Geneva’s Tour du Molard. There are profiles of winemakers, a complete directory of Geneva farm shops and organic producers, plus the place, date and time of all street markets, which farms deliver fresh fruit and vegetable “subscription” baskets, and farms that are also bed and breakfasts. www.lesvinsdegeneve.ch

Geneva shopping weekend Geneva Tourism has introduced a “Special Shopping” weekend offer for visitors, valid until 2 January 2012. The weekend offer includes accommodation in a single or double room, with a

Freddie Mercury statue in Montreux

bath or shower, in hotels participating in the scheme. Breakfast, VAT, taxes and service included. For reservations in 4 or 5 star hotels a CHF 100 shopping voucher (which can be used in Globus department stores) is provided. A CHF 50 voucher is given for reservations in 2 and 3 star hotels. The offer also includes a Geneva transport card for each person for the duration of the stay, valid on all public transport lines (UNIRESO). www.geneve-tourisme.ch

Classic Car meeting in Morges The 20th Swiss Classic British Car Meeting will be held on the quayside in the lovely lakeside town of Morges in Switzerland on Saturday 1 October from 10:00-17:00. Last year the event attracted more than 20,000 visitors and saw over 1,600 classic British cars and motorbikes turn up, from not only Switzerland, but also from France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. There will be everything from Austins from the 1930s,

MGs from the 1950s, racing Jaguars from the 1960s, old Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, and a few classic Triumphs and Royal Enfields from the golden age of English bikes. www.british-cars.ch

Freddie Mercury memorial weekend Once a year, the association “montreuxmusic” pays tribute to Freddie Mercury, the charismatic leader of the rock group Queen. Freddie loved the Swiss Riviera and owned an apartment in Montreux and there is a statue of him on the lakeside which is a big tourist attraction. Each year on the memorial weekend, events are organised for fans, such as a visit to the Lake House (where Freddie spent much of his spare time), there is music from tribute bands, talks, exhibitions and more. This year Freddie would have been 65 years old and it is 20 years since he died. The weekend runs from 2 to 4 September. For more details see: www.montreuxmusic.com

ROMANDIE

Annual wine magazine in English now out

Contributed by Rashida Rashim

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The Reel Story An Interview with an Independent Film Maker in Switzerland.

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recently attended a small soirée at La Manufacture, a school of Performing Arts in Lausanne, organised to raise money for an independent film called Quai Ouest (Quay West) to be directed by brothers Adrien and Lionel Rupp.

I met with the co-director, Lionel Rupp, to ask him the story behind the making of Quay West and about filmmaking in Switzerland. I asked him what had inspired him to get into this particular business.

Curious about the local arts, I arrived to find a thriving group of young artists gathering funds to complete a film that initially started out as a simple three-month school project, involving artists from the Haute Ecole d’Art et de Design in Geneva and young actors of La Manufacture.

“I have always been a film fan, from a very early age. As we were growing up, my parents used to take my brother and me to the cinema every week. This then became an obsession. As an adolescent I built up my own VHS collection and by the age of twenty I knew I wanted to be a film director, whereas my brother Adrien followed the call to tread the boards and become an actor.

Their aim was to produce a cinematic adaptation of Quai Ouest, a play by Bernard-Marie Koltès, considered one of the most important playwrights to have emerged from France in the 1980s. The play itself is often taught in French drama schools for its ritual prologue, which helps actors focus on the importance of timing and dialogue.

In the case of the Rupp brothers, their project grew into a full-length picture taking three years to film and two years to post produce.

“My first short documentary film was called Codolzburg and was sparked by a curiosity to find out if the real Schaudi family, a family that all Swiss children read about when learning German, much like Peter and Jane in the learn-to-read Ladybird books in the UK, really existed. So together with my brother Adrien we went on a mad hunt that resulted in us finding the family and a dark truth!

Locarno Film Festival

“Quay West is the only other film I have done so far with my brother. As codirector, he edited the original screenplay by Koltès and worked closely with the actors, whereas I focused more on the technical side: the lighting, scenes and imagery.”

What difficulties do you face as a filmmaker in Switzerland?

“There are the obvious difficulties: funding which so far comes from theatre grants and local subsidies that cover the rent of our workshop, as well as the fact that so far it has not been a lucrative business! I have been lucky in that the promotion agency, the Swiss Film Foundation, has always accepted my films and opened doors to film festivals and competitions. They do a lot of work in reinforcing the visibility and positive awareness of Swiss filmmaking at home and abroad, and much of our success is based on the good nature of people volunteering their time and energy.”

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Filmmaking sounds like gruelling work. Why do you do it?

“I don’t know what else to do. I’ve tried the nine-to-five routine, but always end up coming back to my passion. I’m motivated to share ideas but it’s equally important to get feedback. When you work so hard on a project you give so much and it takes so much of one’s time that it’s also important to share and find out what people think, to get creative feedback.

Quay West is due to be released this summer

“This is one of the reasons why my brother Adrien and I set up our company Zooscope. It’s a collective of artists from dance, theatre, art and film,

mostly from the Lausanne area, that regularly work together to test each other’s artistic limits and push the creative boundaries through collaboration and support.”

Now that Quay West is due to be released this summer, would you do anything differently next time round?

“I have no regrets in any of the choices we made. Quay West was our first fulllength film and in retrospect we made many amateur mistakes, but rather than see them as such, I prefer to regard them as interesting weaknesses. I used to get frustrated if the smallest detail wasn’t as I imagined it to be, but hopefully I have grown and learnt from the experience and can put this to creative use next time.”

Quai Ouest by the Rupp brothers will be screened in film festivals across Europe this summer. For the latest details on release dates and screenings visit www.zooscope.ch Visit www.swissfilms.ch for information about distribution and support by the promotion agency for Swiss filmmakers.

Rashida Rahim British born but Bengali-Italian raised, Rashida Rahim is the eternal expat currently residing in Lausanne and despite being a technical trainer, has strong leanings towards all that is artsy-fartsy.

Film Festivals in Switzerland

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9-13 June: Afro-Pfingsten, Winterthur 1-9 July: Fantastic Film, Neuchâtel 3-13 August: Locarno Film Festival 18-21 August: One Minute Film+Video, Aarau 6-11 September: Fantoche AnimationsFilm, Baden 22 Sept-2 Oct: Zurich Film Festival 1-9 October: Cinématou Animated Film, Geneva Full details of dates and times at: www.swissfilm.ch

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Soundtrack to Summer Swiss bands to watch out for at the summer music festivals.

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here are over twenty music festivals held across Switzerland each year. Festivals held in fields, up in the mountains, and by lakes: they offer everything from rock to reggae, hip hop to house, indie, blues, jazz, electronic music, punk and more. From Geneva in the west of the country to St. Gallen in the east, fans of all music genres will be spoilt for choice.

At many of these festivals you can often find the big international names and super groups on the musical line up, names that are well recognised in the Anglophone world. For example, this summer Sting will be performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival, The Strokes and Jack Johnson are scheduled to headline Paléo, and Kasabian and the Arctic Monkeys will be performing at the Gurten Festival.

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Swiss musicians in the Spotlight Yet Switzerland can also hold its head high when it comes to its own homegrown performers. There are Swiss singers and bands that already have worldwide recognition and some are on a wave of popularity right now putting the country firmly on the musical map.

Geneva based Mama Rosin had huge success in the UK last year; they not only performed on the BBC’s iconic

“Later with Jules Holland” programme, but they are also in the line-up in 2011 to play at Glastonbury (the mega outdoor music festival in the UK).

Sophie Hunger from Zurich is also a Glastonbury veteran. According to Jean Zuber from Swiss Music Export, other Swiss bands such as the Young Gods (who successfully toured the US a few years ago), hard rockers Krokus, pagan metal band Eluvitie, Lunik and Bonaparte have also made their mark outside this country’s borders.

I spoke to David Glaser, head of music programming at World Radio Switzerland to find out a bit more about Swiss rock and pop music, and asked him which bands he has an eye on for the future.

David says: “I receive scores of recently released CDs each week here at the radio station. Around 75% of this comes from the Swiss German side of the country. However the French side is also producing some excellent stuff too and it’s interesting for me of course in case the next big thing turns up on my desk. There definitely seems to be a buzz about Swiss music right now.

Having said that, it can be a bit bizarre, as even though a band may do well outside Switzerland, they don’t always

conquer both sides of the musical Röstigraben.”

Cyril Yeterian from Mama Rosin agrees: “We have discovered when playing here that the fans in the German-speaking side of Switzerland are quite open to our songs which are sung in French and English. But we have heard it doesn’t always work the other way round for German-speaking bands in French Switzerland. Nevertheless it’s an exciting time for us, and on our recent tour of the UK we were very proud to be told that in some towns we were the first Swiss band to play on their stages. So we like to think we have helped to start a trend in showing the rest of the world the talent there is in this country”.

David says: “Some of the other big Swiss names around right now are singer Heidi Happy from Lucerne, the band Hell’s Kitchen from Geneva, singer Marc Sway from Zurich and Filewile from Berne. Those that have been around for a while and still remain popular are Stefan Eicher, Erik Truffaz, and Yello. Meanwhile new singers and bands that are beginning to make their mark are Alvin Zealot, James Gruntz, Solange la Frange and Olivia Pedroli, and that’s only scratching the surface of new talent.”

So if you have tickets to a summer music festival to hear your favourite Anglo bands, why not pay a visit to the stage or tent where a Swiss band is playing?

You never know, they could well go on to bigger things and you could end up saying “I saw them here first …”

Useful info You can hear Swiss music played on World Radio Switzerland online and live on a monthly programme called “buzz band of the month” on www.worldradio.ch

Mama Rosin—Wowing both Swiss and British audiences (Photo courtesy Mama Rosin)

Swiss Music Export has a sister site called http://swissvibes.org/ where you can hear current trends in Swiss music.

Contributed by the Romandie Team

A Table with a View

Great views from Le Deck.

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t’s summer here in Switzerland, and what could be better than sipping a glass of local wine or eating delicious food in a restaurant or bar with a stunning panoramic view? There are many places in Romandie that have great vistas over both lake and mountain, so our writers have selected just a few for you.

“Le Deck” at Chexbres suggested by Catherine: When it comes to a bar with a 180-degree view, you don’t get much better than this. Le Deck belongs to the upmarket hotel “Baron Tavernier” and it is situated high up in the wine growing area of Chexbres between Lausanne and Vevey. With a spectacular vista overlooking the south end of Lake Geneva, this bar attracts visitors from far and wide. The approach to Le Deck involves driving along a corniche-type road worthy of a scene in a James Bond film and takes you past phenomenal scenery. Once there you will find a stylish vertiginous bar, with a large terrace offering a variety of drinks and beers from around the world. If the weather is inclement, there is a covered glass-sided restaurant alongside to shelter in while still enabling you to admire the panorama below.

Le Deck is open from 1 April to 30 October 2011. www.barontavernier.ch Try “Robinsons” near Ouchy says Rashida: If you take a lakeside stroll along the main waterfront in Lausanne from Ouchy in the direction of Geneva, you will come to Vidy, a green open space full of people basking in the sun, roller-blading and barbequing. Continue along the path and you’ll probably walk past the well-known Robinson’s (9 Avenue Jaques-Dalcroze).

A café and semi self-service hangout, whose yearly opening heralds the beginning of the summer and good times, this is as close to the lake as one can possibly get without being in the water and it has a breathtaking view of the French Alps. It’s an eclectic mix of clientele, from sun-seekers and posers to young families and thirsty athletic types making the most of the outdoors.

It’s made all the more appealing by the range of reasonably priced beverages, snacks and meals available. Le Robinson (no website) Tel: 021 619 06 40 Leone says: “If you are in the Geneva area and want to drink in style in a

5 star bar, keep an eye out for “Le Nora” which is due to open mid-June in the Grand Kempinski Hotel. This hotel is in one of Geneva‘s prime locations and offers stunning views of the lake, the Jet d’Eau and the French Alps.” www.kempinski.com Catherine suggests: “If you prefer something a little more informal, why not check out ‘La Barillette’, high up in the Jura hills above Nyon. This mountain chalet-type restaurant is famous not only for its fondue, but also for the view surrounding it with a sweeping panorama of Mont Blanc and the Swiss and French Alps in the distance. La Barillette is also a popular spot for walkers to end their hike with a drink or meal featuring typical simple Swiss country fare.

Alternatively, if you prefer a restaurant right on the water’s edge, why not take a trip out on one of the lake ferries to visit the “Hotel Restaurant du Port” in the pretty medieval village of Yvoire in France? The CGN ferries run regular trips in the summer from Geneva and Vaud towns over to Yvoire, and this restaurant is a popular choice as both levels of dining overlook the lake and marina. French cuisine plus the classic filets de perche with lemon sauce are on offer in the restaurant. It’s a perfect place to watch the comings and goings at the marina and to keep an eye on the arrival of the ferry for your return trip back to Switzerland! www.hotelrestaurantduport-yvoire.com www.restaurant-barillette.ch Finally don’t forget there are many “beaches” which are public spaces that are right on the lakeside where you can take your own food and drink. These are great places to go for a five star view but at a budget price!

Do you know of a bar or restaurant with a great view that we have missed out? Let us know about it and we’ll try to feature it in a future issue.

ROMANDIE

Bars and restaurants with great views in Romandie

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Contributed by Laura Leone Romanin

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The Quartier des Bains When art and culture meet at night.

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estling in a quiet artistic quarter of Geneva, the Quartier des Bains has become a noteworthy, rapidly emerging event among thousands of local Genevois and expatriates. This three-times-a-year event explodes with enthusiastic art lovers, due in part to its diverse and talented pool of local and international artists who showcase their work. Above all, many look forward to the unique transformation that occurs in this particular quarter. The neighbourhood of Plainpalais becomes a lively and magical space, filling the city’s streets with art lovers, students, serious collectors, young urban professionals and local neighbours eagerly waiting to enter all thirteen of the galleries to celebrate an evening of art, culture and glamour.

ROMANDIE

An opportunity to meet the artists Being able to visit the museums, as well as the private and public galleries (usually open only for prospective buyers), is truly an art lover’s dream. This event is also free of charge, including access to four prominent art institutions that are highly regarded in Switzerland: Centre d’Art Contemporain, Mamco, Centre de la Photographie, and Médiathèque FMAC. Finding these galleries, some may argue, is not an easy task. With adrenalin running high and the clock ticking, the small pocket-sized information booklets are the best way to navigate your way around the city to browse the fascinating exhibitions. There are a few “must-see” events this summer offering a programme of exciting new exhibits. Famous artists such as Marc Quinn will be shown at Patricia Low Contemporary, the Indian artist Sharmila Sarmant at Pierre Huber, a collective photographic exhibition at 5 rue de la Muse, with among others Mike Kelley, Rhona Bitner and Gilbert & George, and “breakthrough” as well as renowned Swiss artists.

The Quartier des Bains attracts art lovers of all ages

Many artists also share the same enthusiasm as their admirers, because after many tiresome months of working quietly in their studios behind closed doors, Quartier des Bains is their opportunity to shine. Painters, sculptures, photographers, avant-garde and installation artists are chosen to display their work as independent artists in selected galleries, and can share this moment collectively with their peers.

Sandra Mudronja, head of communications for this event, says: “This event is so rare. It offers a different experience to the artist and to the visitors every year because we can exhibit our creations in a more intimate environment.

Admirers have an opportunity to speak to their favourite artist, getting an upclose-and-personal experience of real artists at their best, instead of viewing their artwork hung on the wall. What is so interesting is that you can feel the excitement in the air. It’s contagious.”

Entertainment as well as art Running its 10th successful year, Quartier des Bains has become the most popular after-work venue in the late summer season, as it continues to offer so much entertainment including the “crawl”. When patrons wish, they can take a break from the line-up of busy crowds at galleries and sit on the patios of popular spots such as Tiffany,

Café des Bains or Le Réservoir. For this event the bars extend their hours until early morning sunrise.

This is an eventful evening with live music, fashionistas, flashing lights and the exchange of softly spoken words of awe, as all share their thoughts about the contemporary art displays. It is also a celebration, one that aims to encourage and acknowledge the importance of contemporary art in Geneva. See you there!

Info: The event is situated in the streets of Geneva between Rue des Bains and Avenue du Mail. The next event will be on 15 September. See the website for timings and more details. www.quartierdesbains.ch Laura Leone Romanin is Canadian-Italian, living in Geneva, and has been published in books, magazines and journals for various international publications. In addition to her passions of writing and art, she is a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild [IWWG], member of Geneva’s Writer’s Group and an activist with the PETA. organization.

Contributed by Catherine Nelson-Pollard

New Activities for Nyon Tourist Office

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The new director of tourism, Vasja Zalokar, lists some new attractions for visitors to the town and area.

Sustainable tourism From mid-June in conjunction with “velopass” and Nyon council, visitors will have the opportunity to rent bicycles from the centre of town. Walkers on hiking routes will be able to taste local products and business visitors will be able to enjoy “green” seminars including the use of hotels that promote sustainable tourism.

Just “turn up” tour The tourist office is now offering a guided tour for visitors to discover its cultural and historical attractions; just turn up! The tour takes place every first Saturday of the month at 10:30.

Consisting of an easy, one-and-a-half

hour walk and at just CHF 20 (children go free), it’s rounded off by a glass of wine and a snack in the castle’s lovely old cellar.

Tin Tin fans also flock to Nyon An ever-popular tour is to follow in the footsteps of Tin Tin, the cartoon character made famous by Hergé. In “The Calculus Affair” (18th in a series of 24 adventures), Tin Tin visits Nyon, and those on this tour can see the buildings and key spots featured in the book.

Go to the Nyon tourist website to see the many other great tourist options available to visitors. The information is in English, the activities are categorised

© Hergé/Moulinsart 2007

in “themes” and there is something there for everyone! www.nyon-tourisme.ch, Tel: 022 365 66 00 www.velopass.ch

Photos: © Peter Colberg / NRT

Come and discover the Nyon region, 4 themes - 4 seasons

Nyon Région Tourisme – Av. Viollier 8 – CP 1288 – 1260 Nyon – Tel. +41 22 365 66 00 – Fax +41 22 365 66 06 – info@nrt.ch – www.nyon-tourisme.ch

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Interested? Call 022 784 6591 or email info@successmatch.ch for further information.

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www.expatriates-switzerland.com Our Work is dedicated to the prosperity of Our Clients At www.expatriates-switzerland.com we offer you a variety of services to ensure that living in Switzerland is made much easier.

We offer you: Tax advice U.S. Tax Service Insurance advice Banking advice Currency repatriation

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8400 Winterthur F 052 267 80 91

Contributed by Allison Turner

Brief News from Zurich

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Reaching New Heights This summer the first tenants occupy the tallest tower in Switzerland, the Prime Tower at Hardbrücke. The striking turquoise-coloured 126-metre-tall octagon-shaped building was designed by the Zurich architect team of Gigon/ Guyer and completed after three years of construction. The Prime Tower is part of a five-building complex, with offices, restaurants and retail shops.

Its 36 floors provide a total of 40,000 square metres of rental space, enough for up to 2,000 workstations. www.primetower.ch

International Radio Festival

Live at Sunset The Dolder skating rink doesn’t get the summer off; instead, it’s the site of the annual Live at Sunset concert series. At 20:30 every night from 13 to 24 July, audiences are treated to live open-air music while the sun goes down over the city. Singers this year include

Zurich’s impressive new Prime Tower

international favourites Paul Simon, Tony Bennet and John Mellencamp and Swiss entertainers Stephan Eicher and Mark Sway and Sina.

Before the concert, curb your appetite with a light dinner catered by Hiltl’s, Zurich’s famous vegetarian restaurant, or sushi from Yooji’s and Nooba, or else go all out with a three-course sit-down meal at the Sunset Restaurant. www.liveatsunset.ch

Summer in the City Zurich isn’t a city that tends to do things halfway: winters are normally grey and dreary while summers are usually spectacular. And for a city with a reputation for dullness, it sure knows how to celebrate when there’s a reason to. This summer, the reasons range from gay pride to the national holiday.

The Zurich Pride Festival, from 17 to 19 June, features a parade, parties and shows, centred around Turbinenplatz in

Zurich-West. The 17th Caliente Festival celebrates the finest in Latin, Brazilian, and Caribbean rhythms, with music, food and drinks and of course, dancing: Salsa, merengue, flamenco, mambo and more. It takes place in and around Helvetiaplatz from 1 to 3 July.

On 16 July, representatives of Zurich’s guilds take part in the Schifferstechen on the Limmat. Watch from the safety of the Rathaus Bridge as they use long poles to try to push each other off their wooden boats. The Swiss traditions continue on 1 August, the Swiss National Day. Zurich celebrates with a morning parade along Bahnhofstrasse to Burkliplatz, where there will be a folkloric party.

Towards the end of summer, 13 August, is Zurich’s biggest party: a celebration for its own sake, the Street Parade.

Hundreds of thousands of fans dress in their most outrageous costumes and watch and listen to the house and techno music.

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The second annual International Radio Festival from 10 to 19 June flies in radio presenters from all around the world to the Papiersaal in Sihl City, where they will present special editions of their own shows for broadcast. The sheer variety of styles can be seen in Belgium’s contingent: Laid Back Radio, Brussels and Urgent FM, Ghent. Tony Blackburn will be there, as will Tony Prince, along with Radio Caroline (featured in The Boat That Rocked), Ibiza Sonica, Fat Radio from Bangkok, and East Village Radio from NYC. In all, over 40 radio stations are represented, broadcasting over 50 shows live in their original languages. All the programmes and stations are also competing for the festival’s ON-AIR awards, presented for the first time this year. Visitors are welcome to stop by the studio to listen to the presenters live and “Listen to How the World Sounds”. www.internationalradiofestival.com

For all the information you need for your life in Zürich, Basel, Bern, Lucerne & Zug: in English!

From local legalities and practicalities to comprehensive local business listings, your What’s On Guide for all across Germanspeaking Switzerland, FREE private classifieds and much, much more…

PITCH & PUTT SINGLES EVENT BASEL Thursday, 9 June 2011 Would you like to meet new people, have fun, chat and make new friends?

Then join us… We will meet for an after work drink before picking-up our golf clubs and getting together with our personal Golf Pro who will demonstrate how to play the game.

After Pitch & Putt there will be time for relax and enjoy some tasty food.

More information and details about how to sign up (latest by 6 June) is available at www.packimpex.ch/events

www.angloinfo.com

Bilingual education at its best The bilingual way at FGZ

The monolingual and bilingual way at FGZ

www.fgz.ch

Contributed by Elisa Bieg

The Expat Do-Over

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n August 2009 my family’s stay in New York had come to an end and we had returned to Switzerland, to stay indefinitely. Even as I told myself I was being a drama queen, I couldn’t fight a certain sense of dread.

As we got on the shuttle at Zurich airport, I could feel the anxiety mounting inside me. Though I chatted animatedly with my husband about how clean the place was, and smiled at my daughters, I remember clearly how the walk towards the luggage claim and the exit felt like the last walk of a condemned man.

I recalled moving to Switzerland the first time around, 10 years earlier. A serial expat already at the age of 23, I was expecting my first baby and was wondering how, after giving up my beloved job as a professional translator, the job of my childhood dreams, I would fill the days in my new country.

That move didn’t scare me; it wasn’t my first. I was excited about this new adventure, and felt that because my husband was (still is) Swiss, this was in a way already home by proxy, wasn’t it?

I wasn’t afraid of the changes I knew were on the horizon. I’d never had any trouble making new friends or creating a new life after a move, and I felt positive I’d feel at home in no time.

However, that naturally sunny Italian personality that had come in so handy before seemed to be the very thing

hampering my progress this time.

Compared to the serious, businesslike, quietly-going-about-their-business locals I was too loud, too happy, too smiley.

It wasn’t that people were mean, but the Swiss conservatism was so foreign to me; the quiet, the lack of small talk and friendly banter so uncomfortable, that it felt like a judgment on my personality, which was, quite frankly, the exact opposite. Surely there must be something wrong with me, then?

Moving to the countryside the following year seemed like a bright idea but ended up making things even worse.

In Zurich I could blend in somewhat, but in a quiet country town? I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. In an attempt to remedy that, I went from being extroverted, friendly and chatty to being withdrawn, moody and yes, a little bitter. I felt lonely, isolated, and I couldn’t help but feel resentful towards the environment that (at least in my eyes) had forced me to change. In the following five years I regularly pestered my husband about moving abroad. My prayers were finally answered in 2006, when my husband got a temporary assignment in New York.

And there, after a difficult first year (newborn baby, new school for my oldest, new job with lots of travel for my husband), something magic happened.

The baby started sleeping through the

night and I woke up one morning, no longer sleep-deprived, suddenly aware of how many possibilities were available to me. Two blissful years followed, two years when I found myself once again. I was happier, busier, and I was once again enjoying life. And then it was time to go back to Switzerland. It was that day in August 2009 when I was walking out of the Zurich airport, scared that the unhappiness and loneliness would start flooding back, terrified that that I would once again be tortured by the crazy notion that I just had to try and fit in.

But something had changed, and I never did plunge back into that dark place.

It feels different living here now. People are more open to foreigners, there are more activities and more resources for English speakers, and Zurich has just relaxed a little I think. But more importantly, I no longer feel that I have to fit in. I know that I am a little different from a lot of the locals but that’s ok. I know our differences are not an attack on my own personality.

Nowadays I am more prone to noticing the good about living here, than the bad; and I surprise even myself when I realize that walking around Zurich, down the Limmatquai or through the Arboretum park, alone or with my family… it actually feels like home.

Even more surprising when I do notice something I don’t like, I usually just laugh about it. Adaptability may score at number one in the list of most important qualities for an expat, but a sense of humor definitely comes in at a close second.

Elisa Bieg originally from Italy, is a long-time expat and passionate traveler.

Married to a Swiss and mother of two little globetrotters, she shares her passions and her love-hate affair with Switzerland on her blog, Globetrotting in Heels (www.globetrottinginheels. com)

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How a reluctant expat feels she has come home.

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Contributed by Christian Langenegger

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Finding Zurich’s Sweet Spots There is no better place to start a tour of Zurich than at Paradeplatz on Bahnhofstrasse.

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ome to three of Switzerland’s claims to fame: the big banks UBS and Credit Suisse, as well as Sprüngli’s flagship café and shop. Money and chocolate. On a stunning Friday afternoon at the start of February, food blogger, translator and connoisseur of all things sweet, Kerrin Rousset, was ready to lead her first group of sweettoothed curious minds to some of Zurich’s hidden sweet spots.

Gathering in front of Sprüngli, one might believe this was the perfect start to the tour. Begin with something familiar. But we turned our backs on the Swiss giant and made our way up Bahnhofstrasse. Along the way Kerrin gave us a short history of chocolate in Switzerland. Where Nestlé, Cailler, Lindt & Sprüngli come into play and what these men did for chocolate in this small Alpine country. We then turned a corner and made our way into the heart of the Old City.

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We stopped at several specialty chocolate shops, where highly knowledgeable staff made us feel welcome, invited us to sample chocolates, and were ready to answer any and all questions.

Hand-selected from a few producers, these are chocolates you won’t find in Migros or Coop. Even I was able to discover a new place. I have walked past

Kerrin leads tours to Zurich’s sweet spots

Kerrin Rousset’s tour takes you to several specialty chocolate shops in Zurich (Photo: swiss-image)

it several times a week for the past two years, but to Kerrin’s shock had never visited it. Yet another stop specializes in what she sees as the latest sweet trend to hit Switzerland.

If you follow Kerrin on Twitter (@ MyKugelhopf) there is one thing you will notice. She loves Zurich! It is most likely this wonderful combination of interests and qualities that makes her a great food writer, and the best person to lead interested people around Zurich discovering its sweet spots. Getting to know shop owners over the past three years, Kerrin has ensured that her guests are also privy to extraordinary service and insider information that only come with experience.

I asked Kerrin where the idea for the tour came from, and she said that it was a natural progression. “Whenever I travel, that is how I love to discover a city: go where the locals go and especially where to find the best sweets.

Doing these tours is the best way for me to share the places I love and show there is more than just the big name addresses in guidebooks.” Having found the passionate people in the city, the ones running speciality shops because they love their products and want to share their excitement with others, Kerrin has tours that are both sweet and unique. www.sweetzurich.ch kerrin@sweetzurich.ch Christian Langenegger is a lover of food and wine and realized that he also needs to counter his passions with running, which has now become more than a hobby.

In 2009 he started Marathon Sprachen, a language school for German and English in Zurich that helps Expats adapt to life in Switzerland.

Contributed by Allison Turner

Fleet of Foot Historical Tours

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Bill Hovey’s historical tours of Zurich are perhaps less indulgent than Kerrin’s, but no less fascinating.

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ill is a history teacher at Zurich International School and he makes his interest clear in the “Fleet of Foot” tours he has been conducting once a month or so since shortly after he moved here in 2001. You can’t leave one of his two- or three-hour tours without a better appreciation of Zurich and the people and events that have shaped it, than you started with, from St. Regula to the Reformation, from the ancient Romans to Carl Jung.

On Saturday 25 June he presents “Authors and Artists through the years in Zurich”, which focuses on the city

Fleet of Foot tours bring Zurich’s past to life (Photo: swiss-image)

locations related to numerous individuals of a literary and artistic nature: James Joyce, Thomas Mann, Hermann Hesse, Dada, Lenin, Buchner, Tucholsky, Brecht, Chagall, Naegeli, Re-

On 25 June Bill Hovey presents “Authors and Artists through the years in Zurich” (Photo: swiss-image)

marque, Wagner, Goethe, Minnesangers, Casanova, Solzenitsyn, Kafka, Spyri, Max Frisch, Giacometti ... and others.

To register for this or other tours, visit www.fleetoffootzurichtours.com

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Bill offers both general tours in the middle of town and special tours, which either go a little further afield or concentrate on something in particular. One popular special tour is “The Einsteins in Zurich” which covers the various homes Albert Einstein lived in with his wife Mileva, including anecdotes about their lives as well as what Bill calls “attempts to explain the theories” developed there.

Contributed by Allison Turner

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Running in Zurich Zurich is a great place to run.

degrees of altitude change. In some places, including the Käferberg, there are different coloured signs to indicate different length tracks, 3, 5.4 and 14 kilometres (the longest goes on to the Hönggerberg). In areas which don’t have this system, you can follow the yellow signs for walking paths.

Speaking of Zurich’s reputation for organisation, its races are also (ahem) well-run. Competitive runners can join the ZüriLauf Cup, a series of twelve races from January to October throughout the canton. There is no requirement to run in all twelve, and if you start as soon as this issue comes out you can still participate in six. You have missed the longest, the 9th Zurich marathon on 17 April, but there’s always next year of course. Most of the races are between 11 and 14 kilometres, though they also have shorter versions and some have team races. They also offer a nice mix of hills and flatter terrain.

The joy of running

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won’t claim to have actually done any running myself (my idea of exercise is writing longhand), but the people I spoke to tell me Zurich’s a great place to do it.

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Runners appreciate the choice of terrain, from nearly flat to quite hilly, that Zurich has to offer. There are beautiful views, plenty of forests and wellmarked trails.

As a general rule, if you like flat, stay near the lakes and rivers of the canton. On a clear day, the view from the path around Lake Zurich is spectacular. At 90 kilometres, it’s too long for a single run (and if you disagree, I don’t want to hear it!), but just about any section is lovely, although on a nice day it does get crowded in places.

The route along the Sihl, anywhere between Selnau in Zurich and Sihlbrugg, is quite serene. It’s largely flat and often offers glimpses of storks, and for much of the route you would never guess you were in the city. On warm days, the Sihlwald is especially refreshing.

Another run mentioned by several people I spoke to is around the Greifensee in the Zurich Oberland, where, as Gisela says, “you cannot get lost as you always see the lake”. If you’re not up for the whole tour around it (19 km), she suggests doing half and taking the boat back, which runs between Maur and Uster. Marcel also enjoys the Greifensee, but he runs it barefoot. In addition to the benefits that barefoot running is supposed to offer the legs (and pocketbook), Marcel says that he can see animals in the woods, since they don’t hear him first. Selina suggests that those not quite convinced about barefoot running can try the sawdust track near the Saalsporthalle designed for that purpose, or one of several other Finnenbahnen in the city (most are made of woodchips).

For those who prefer a hillier run, Zurich is even more able to accommodate you. The Uetliberg has the best of both worlds: a great view of the city and the Alps and forest cover (not to mention a train). The whole Albis chain is criss-crossed with trails with varying

One very popular race, with some fourteen thousand participants, the International Greifenseelauf includes a half-marathon, 10km and 5.5km.

This year, its 32nd, the race is on 17 September. The Firmenlauf, in Dietikon on Thursday evening, 7 July (St. Gallen, Geneva, Berne and Basel also have their own races), is as its name indicates designed for teams of runners from the same company. At only about 6 kilometres, the focus of the Firmenlauf has always been on fun, team spirit and fitness. On the other hand, if you’re really up for a challenge and willing to go further afield, on 30 July there’s the Swiss Alpine Marathon near Davos, with distances between 10 and an impressive 78 kilometres!

Allison Turner is the Zurich and Zug/Lucerne editor of Hello Switzerland, as well as a part-time teacher and mother of two girls.

Contributed by Allison Turner

Personal Swiss

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Trends, services and products for management in Human Resources.

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he Personal Swiss 2011 Human Resources (HR) Fair on 5 and 6 April attracted close to 4,000 visitors to its 252 exhibitors, including Hello Switzerland’s presenting partner Packimpex. Visitors were able to learn about new developments in human resource management, from software to recruitment. Packimpex’s booth offered comprehensive information about the company’s relocation services. At the parallel events, the Swiss Professional Learning fair and the Swiss eLearning Conference, the focus was on developing skills ranging from languages to computer use.

Many visitors were particularly impressed with the three keynote speeches, on how to put one’s own and a company’s knowledge to good use, and about the future of the working world.

Throughout the conference there were also live and pre-recorded presentations on a variety of topics.

One highlight was the presentation of the 11th Swiss HR-Awards. The first place this year went to AXA Winterthur, for its anchoring of human resource management throughout the company and its comprehensive talent management programme. Second prize

Ms. Sonja Zeta (ABB Schweiz AG Micafil) receiving her voucher for a weekend away in the Engadine from Claude Storni (Packimpex)

went to the EDI, the Swiss Federal Department of the Interior and third prize went to Coca-Cola.

Press Release

Swiss Press Photo 11 The year as seen through the lens and captured by Swiss photographers. rom 6 May to 17 July 2011, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich will be showcasing the year’s best press images in the “Swiss Press Photo 11” exhibition. Images on display are presented

under the categories of: Contemporary News; Everyday Life; Portrait; Art and Culture; Sport; and Abroad. As an additional feature this current exhibition will be the first time that images will be

Breaking Through the St Gottard Mountain Pass (winning photo by Samuel Golay from the Ticino)

presented as large-format slides in light boxes. The accompanying exhibition catalogue has also been printed in a completely new design.

The winner of this year’s major prize in the “World” category, with his series on the oil business in Nigeria, is Christian Lutz. The prizewinners in the other categories are: “News”: Samuel Golay, “Daily Life and Environment”: Helmut Wachter, “People”: JeanPatrick Di Silvestro, “Sports”: Marcel Grubenmann and “Art and Culture”: Fabian Unternährer.

All the winning entries can be viewed at the National Museum in Zurich, but you can also get a flavour of the very high standard of photographic work submitted by exploring their website: www.nationalmuseum.ch/e/ueberuns/ presse/index.php?we_objectID=5909

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Contributed by Allison Turner

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Brief News from Zug/Lucerne Blue Balls 100,000 visitors are expected at the nineteenth Blue Balls festival in Lucerne, 22 to 30 July. The festival takes place at three venues around the lake: the KKL, the Schweizerhof Hotel and the Pavillon. While blues music will always be a crucial element of the festival, it also includes many other musical styles and other art forms as well. Ben Watts’ photo expo includes thirty exclusive works, his portraits of such stars as Tom Waits and Jay-Z. The Kunst am See event has artists including C-LiNe, and QueenKong create new works on stage, with the videos of their production presented later in the festival. The documentary film “Upside Down—The Creative Records Story” will also be shown.

Blue Balls Festival (Photo: Erich Ruck)

And then there’s the music! Australian pop artist Lenka, whose gorgeous face is on the Blue Balls posters, has a voice that may just be more beautiful. She presents her new album Two. Swiss singer Sophie Hunger and “Supafunkrock” musician Trombone Shorty are two more not to be missed, but the list goes on and on.

To add to the festival feel, there are food stands and a bazaar selling clothing and accessories near the KKL and Pavillon stages. www.blueballs.ch

ZUG / LUCERNE

Open Air Kino Zug Once again, the Seepromenade near the Zug-Shutzengel train station will be the site of an open-air cinema from 11 July to 17 August. The schedule was not known at press-time, but the movies shown are generally a mix of quite new releases (occasionally still in cinemas, more often a few months old) and older favourites. The majority are likely to be in English.

The shows will go on rain or shine, but if it does rain you may be able to pick up a plastic poncho from one of the sponsors. The movies begin at dusk, and

before the show, concession stands sell drinks and even full meals to be eaten at picnic tables. www.open-air-kino.ch

1st August Since central Switzerland (specifically the Rütli Meadow in Uri, above Lake Lucerne) is where the original allegiance of the cantons was signed on 1 August 1291, it’s not surprising that there are several special national day events in the area. To go to the ceremony at the Rütli itself, you have to register in advance. A nice alternative is Hergiswil NW, where a fiery cross is lit on the mountain above the town.

In general, the mountains seem to be the places to go: Mount Rigi will have performances by local folklore groups; Sörenberg will have a fine restaurant meal on offer.

Have You Seen My Alps?

A Jewish Love Story The Swiss History Forum in Schwyz has a special exhibition from now until 28 October exploring the role of Jews, from mountaineers to artists to

researchers, in the development of the Alps as a cultural heritage. Ever since Moses, the first mountain climber in history, Jewish people have sought enlightenment in the mountains, where heaven and earth come closest together.

Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00. www.nationalmuseum.ch

Consider Yourself... Part of the Audience The English Theatre Group of Zug has announced its plans to put on the musical Oliver! in the Casino Theatre in Zug, in September 2011, to celebrate the club’s 25th anniversary. Founded in 1986, the English Theatre Group of Zug has attained a reputation for highclass productions over the last 25 years.

Charles Dickens’ famous classic tells of an orphan boy who escapes from a workhouse to meet up with a gang of pickpockets. After many escapades he is finally adopted by a well to do family. Played by a cast of 70 adults and children, this lively musical promises an evening of top entertainment.

Performances will be 30 September and 1, 6, 7, 8, and 9 October. Details of ticket sales: www.etgz.ch.

Contributed by Florian Hehlen

Höllgrotten

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You don’t have to sell your soul to the Devil to visit the “Caves of Hell”.

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ocated near Baar in Zug canton, this is a favorite destination for many locals. It makes a great outing for those wanting to get away from the summer tourist frenzy that is sometimes common in Central Switzerland.

The Höllgrotten caves, as they are really named, are one of Zug’s hidden gems, literally and figuratively. They will enchant both children and grownups with their mineral formations of all kinds. You can simply enjoy the sights, learning about the discovery of the caves in the nineteenth century. Or, you can search for stalactites and stalagmites that have grown to resemble things such as an eagle, a raspberry, a sheep, a crocodile, a snake, a turtle and many others. In any case, the caves will certainly provide a refreshing moment away from the summer heat.

The visit of the caves will take around forty-five minutes to an hour. So, you

can easily combine your subterranean excursion with another activity. It is worth pointing out as well that if anyone in your party is claustrophobic or maybe even afraid of the dark that the visit is split between two caves, one a steep walk up the hill from the other, which makes it is possible to cut the visit short or even just take a break after visiting the first cave.

The Höllgrotten is located in a beautiful forest-covered valley created by the Lorze River, which flows out of the Ägerisee and into the Zugersee. The river makes many natural and manmade cascading falls that will make for great places for kids to play and for others to soak their feet.

The area has many fully furnished picnic areas with tables and fireplaces.

If you did not take snacks or a picnic along on your tour, there is a kiosk that sells drinks, snacks and ice cream right

near the entrance to the caves. There is also a restaurant and a campground a few hundred meters away.

The caves are easily reachable on foot from the Baar train station in less than an hour. But you can also drive or combine public transportation and a bit of walking to reach the caves. The cave‘s website provides a good map for choosing your route. Note that walking between the caves and the Lorzentobler Bridge involves a very steep path that can surprise both at the ascent and at the descent. Even though this bus stop is very close to the caves you will need to plan plenty of time for the climb up.

Should you, like I did, miss the bus that only runs once an hour on Sundays, there is another bus stop (Moosrank) down the hill towards Zug with a few more possibilities. Last but not least the caves are also reachable by bicycle along more or less the same path hikers can take along the river.

On a clear day, climbing out of the Lorzen valley along the hiking trails near the caves will bring you to some great panoramic views of the Zugersee and surrounding landscape.

The “Leisure Guide To Hiking, Cycling, Inline Skating, Nordic Walking” suggests a hike to the Höllgrotten that goes from Schmittli (near Neuägeri) down the Lorze River to Baar. The guide is free and available from the Zug Canton tourism bureau located at the Zug train station.

Bubble formations in the caves

Florian Hehlen is a Swiss native who grew up in Montreal, Canada and has been back in Switzerland for ten years. A software engineer by trade but an artist in his heart, he dabbles in cooking, writing, photography, philosophy, and history.

ZUG / LUCERNE

Further information is available at: www.hoellgrotten.ch

Contributed by Anitra Green

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Saarland and Luxembourg Luxembourg is practically a must for visitors to Europe, but the German region of Saarland next-door is also well worth visiting.

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his part of Europe, tucked in the triangle between Belgium, France and Germany, has had a chequered history with national borders shifting all over the place since records began.

The Grand Duchy (the only one left) of Luxembourg has become a Mecca for tourists from all over the world, partly because of the picturesque situation of the city of Luxembourg on a bend in the River Alzette, but also because it’s one of the administrative centres of the EU, with a huge modern development on a neighbouring hill. Saarland hasn’t much claim to fame apart from having huge steel works, but is in fact a very attractive area and a real insider’s tip.

EUROPE

You can easily cross the border between the two without noticing it, as both have beautiful rolling countryside punctuated by forests, rivers and the odd cliff. The border is actually the Mosel, and here, at the southern edge where Luxembourg joins France and Germany, there’s a little place called Schengen. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it’s where the Schengen Agreement was signed in 1985, giving people freedom of

movement between European member states, including Switzerland. There’s an interesting monument and a nice garden by the river, and a museum.

There’s stacks to do in both areas: dedicated hiking and biking trails, castles, caves, good restaurants, local wines, spectacular viewpoints and any amount of culture: museums, concerts, music festivals, food festivals and so on. And if you’re using public transport, both regions have a well-integrated public transport system with modern buses and trains, also across the borders.

Luxembourg Stand on Constitution Square and gaze down into the deep river valley that cuts through the city of Luxembourg, and you’ll see why people come from all over the world to look at it, and appreciate why the Romans put a fortification there in the first place. The superb formal garden just below the parapet is a huge contrast to the wood that virtually fills the rest of valley.

There are about half a million people living in the Duchy of Luxembourg,

The monument at the border town of Schengen

and another two hundred thousand who pour into the city to work every day from France and Germany. This means parking in the city is scarce and expensive, so be warned. Their native language is Luxembourgish, an almost unrecognisable dialect of German with lots of French words, but everyone learns French (the official language) and German at school.

You can have the freedom of the entire duchy with a Luxembourg card, which costs only €10 a day with special rates for families. Many tourists use an audio-guide to see the city, or take the cheerful little train round the streets and squares. And there’s a great deal to see: the beautiful ducal residence with a single guard pacing up and down, where newly-wed couples like to be photographed, the awe-inspiring church of Notre Dame, the picturesque abbey of Neuminster by the river, the ancient fortifications, impressive bridges and viaducts, fine squares, and so on. Not surprisingly, the entire city centre is a UNESCO world heritage site. It’s also a highly cultural city, being the first to be twice named the European City of Culture.

Or you can take a guided tour, which can give you some unexpected surprises. I was very impressed when, having walked the narrow cobbled streets halfway down to the river, instead of toiling all the way up again, our guide cheerfully led us through an unmarked door into a museum, which presented a fascinating mixture of very old walls and new architecture, and up to the top again in a trapezoidal lift, built that way to fit the ancient structure of the building.

The view from Constitution Square in the city of Luxembourg

I never did find out which of the many museums it was. But next time I visit I

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must go and have a look at the rest of the Grand Duchy, like Little Switzerland and the Ardennes to the north. Also the EU area on Kirchberg, a splendid modern development housing not only the European Courts of Justice and auditors, the EC statistics office and the European Parliament secretariat but various EU archives as well.

One of the most remarkable historical monuments I’ve ever seen is the disused steelworks at Völklingen, just outside Saarbrücken. Starting in 1873, it slowly evolved into a huge blast furnace complex with its own coking plant, with refinements and improvements added as new technology was developed. It was finally closed down in 1986. Nobody was prepared to spend money on demolishing it, and people slowly realised they had something quite unique here. It took two years for UNESCO to approve it as a world heritage site in 1994, the first ever industrial complex to receive this distinction.

Now clean and tidy (unlike the old days when Völklingen was known as the filthiest, and the richest, town in Germany), it completely dominates the skyline with a mad jumble of towering furnaces, massive tubes, huge sheds and galleries, all strung around with safe walkways for the comfort of the visitor. This is an absolute must for the

Saarbrücken Castle

The mad jumble of towers, furnaces and tubes that is the disused Völklingen steelworks

male half of the family, and even the female half is going to be impressed with the sheer size and beauty of some of these machines and installations.

Within the hour we’d gone to the other extreme, visiting an area of outstanding natural beauty, the Saarschleife, a huge hairpin bend in the river surrounded by wooded hills. The view from the highest point really is impressive, and not surprisingly it’s very attractive hiking country with plenty of trails.

Saarbrücken itself, Saarland’s capital, is a city of contrasts with plenty of green areas. Much of it was flattened in the last war, so there’s a lot of exciting new architecture cheek by jowl with the fine old buildings that survived.

A prime example is the castle, a large and striking Baroque residence, most of which has been reconstructed and renovated, all except the badly damaged central portion. This has been replaced with an elegant, ultra-modern steel and glass construction, which has taken the locals some time to get used to!

Round the side of the castle is a large terrace overlooking the river, which gives a fine view of much of the city.

From there you can take the old bridge (now traffic-free) over the river, and the incredibly busy six-lane highway that runs beside it, to St Johann. This area has great charm, with a patchwork of shady squares, picturesque buildings and any number of nice little shops, bars, cafés and restaurants, as well as

an enormous market square with an imposing fountain.

Gasthaus zum Steifel is a popular place with an excellent selection of food and a very attractive enclosed courtyard. It also serves one of the few local beers left in the region, a seductive brew called Bruch. Or if you want something a more up-market, take the road out to Saarlouis and book in at the Restaurant Trampert (it’s also a hotel).

For a quiet hotel surrounded by trees but still within easy reach of the centre, there’s the Hotel am Triller, which also has an excellent restaurant, and a very nice breakfast buffet.

How to get there

By ICE high-speed train from Basel to Mannheim, where you change for Saarbrücken (4 hrs). Or, if you have another hour to spare, take the pretty, romantic route: change at Karlsruhe to the regional train to Landau, change again to the Quiechtalbahn to Primasens Nord, change again to the Schwarzwaldbahn to Saarbrücken.

The “Saarschleife”, a favourite viewpoint

EUROPE

Saarland This region was fought over by the French and Germans for over a century and a half before it finally joined Germany as a result of a referendum in 1955. The incessant fighting was mainly because of Saarland’s vast coalfields and its valuable iron and steel industry, originally started by the Celts in this area 2,500 years ago.

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What’s Going On In Switzerland June 1 JUNE Basel: exhibition of works by Constantin Branscusi and Richard Serra at the Beyeler Foundation, Riehen. Until 21 August 2011. www.fondationbeyeler.ch 2-5 JUNE Neuchâtel: Neuchâtel Open Air Music Festival. www.festineuch.ch 3-5 JUNE Villars-sur-Ollon: Fourth International Hiking Exhibition. Entirely free of charge, the Villars International Hiking Exhibition offers over 100 themed hikes conducted by professional mountain guides. www.villars.ch 4 JUNE Morges: Big Spring Market and Clown Festival at Rue Louis-de-Savoie with around 120 exhibitors. Traditional market at Grand-Rue, and Rue Centrale.

Clown festival in the centre of town.

09:00-17:00. www.morges-tourisme.ch

SWITZERLAND

Friboug: Léman Events Open 2011 For Golfers and Would-be Golfers from the international English-speaking community at the Vuissens Golf Club, 1486 Vuissens, Fribourg. Champagne bar and BBQ lunch is included in the price.

For more information and to register: www.lemanevents.ch/Events/ Golf-LEO-2011-Vuissens.html 5 JUNE Rapperswil: Ironman 70.3 Switzerland along the lake, with an entertainment programme. www.ironman.ch 7 JUNE Berne: Lord of the Dance at the BEA Berne expo. www.ticketcorner.ch

8 JUNE Basel: Artwall summer exhibition at Centrepoint with prints and paintings

by Ruth Zähndler. In Lohnhof 8, Basel, until end of August. www.centrepoint.ch

16 JUNE Basel: “Rent”, rock opera performed by the Semi-Circle at the Scala, 17:30. Also on 17, 18 (afternoon and evening) and 19 June. www.semi-circle.ch

8-12 JUNE Crans-sur-Nyon: Caribana Festival The 21st year for this global/rock music festival in the Lake Geneva region. www.caribana-festival.ch

17 JUNE Zurich: The annual Zurich Festival combines opera, concerts, dance, theatre and art and includes some free public events. At the Opernhaus, Tonhalle and other venues, until 10 July. www.zuercher-festspiele.ch

10 JUNE Basel: Circus Knie, Switzerland’s biggest circus, at the Rosentalanlage. Until 22 June. www.knie.ch 10-13 JUNE Geneva: FEATS: Festival of European Anglophone Theatrical Societies at Forum Theatre, Meyrin. Three one-act plays each of four evenings, all competing in the FEATS, hosted by the Geneva English Drama Society. Performances are open to the public. Entrance is free.

No tickets are needed. www.geds.ch 14 JUNE Lausanne: OWIT Networking Evening, Hotel de la Paix. 18:30-21:00. www.owit-lakegeneva.org 15 JUNE Geneva: Queen’s Birthday Reception.

British Residents’ Association. For all British and Commonwealth citizens.

UN Ambassador’s Residence, Cologny.

18:30-20:30. http://general.britishresidents.ch Basel: Art 42 Basel, leading international art fair for modern and contemporary works with over 300 exhibitors.

At the Messe Basel, until 19 June. www.artbasel.com Salavaux: Whisky and Dinner—Châteaux Salavaux. Dinner, accompanied with assorted whiskies. Reservations: 026 677 8920. www.schloss-salvaux.com

17-19 JUNE Geneva: Fête de la Musique Performances from orchestral to world music for all ages by musicians and dancers from around the world. Roads closed, pedestrian walkways, spontaneous dancing. Food stalls from many countries. www.ville-ge.ch Geneva: Bol d’Or, Mirabaud.

The annual sailboat race on Lake Geneva. A spectacular sight in Geneva, seeing over 600 yachts lined up, ready to sail. The race progress can be viewed from around the lake. www.boldor.ch 19 JUNE Berne: Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women’s Race), begins and ends at Bundesplatz (Federal Square). www.frauenlauf.ch 21 JUNE Lausanne: Fête de la Musique A “summer solstice/shortest night” music festival with performances in the city streets, plazas and the Cathedral.

For one day, one night only. www.lausanne.ch 25 JUNE Lucerne: 3rd Luzerner Fest, a one-day party with music, food, fireworks and an airshow by the Swiss Air Force’s PC-7 Team. www.luzernerfest.ch

1 JULY Basel: Summerblues, the Kleinbasel blues festival being held for the third time, at various venues in Kleinbasel. www.summerblues.ch 1-3 JULY Estavayer-le-Lac: Swatch Free4Style.

International Freestyle Sports Festival.

The biggest freestyle festival in French part of Switzerland for FMX bikes, wakeboards and jet-skis on Lake Neuchâtel. www.free4style.com Biel-Bienne: Braderie 3-day festival Market stands, food, rides and entertainment for people of all ages. www.bielerbraderie.ch 1-16 JULY Montreux: Montreux Jazz Festival.

The world famous, 2-week music festival in the beautiful lakeside town of Montreux. Concerts, boat trips, outdoor music venues, food stalls and goods from around the world. Music everywhere. www.montreuxjazz.com 1 JULY-31 AUGUST Travers: Ancient asphalt mines.

Tours four times a day in four languages.

Asphalt from these mines is still found in London, Paris and New York. www.neuchateltourisme.ch 2 JULY Jungfrau: Jungfrau Music Festival Swiss Army Big Band led by Pepe Lienhard at Kursaal Bern. www.jungfrau-music-festival.ch 2-16 JULY Avenches: Avenches Opera Festival 2011. Verdi’s Rigoletto performed by internationally known opera singers in the open air Roman coliseum. www.avenchesopera.ch 3 JULY Morat/Murten: American Classic Car Meeting. The small and the very large American cars built through the 70s. www.allamericanclassics.ch

Vallé de Joux: Lac de Joux, Slow-Up bicycle ride. Roads closed to cars. All other wheels invited. www.slowuplavallee.ch 4 JULY Lausanne: Executives International informal cocktails 18:30. LP’s Bar, Lausanne Palace. www.executives-int.ch 7 JULY Zurich: Ironman Zurich along the lake includes a fairground and children’s activities. This is an official qualifying event for the Hawaii Ironman. www.ironman.ch 8 JULY Lucerne: Rowing World Lucerne: This international regatta brings together the world’s best rowers. Rotsee, until 11 July. www.ruderwelt-luzern.ch 9 JULY Basel/Lörrach: “Stimmen”, festival for voice with workshops, soloists, choirs etc from the national and international scene. Over 30 concerts will be held at various venues in this tri-national area.

Until 31 July. www.stimmen.com 11 JULY Lac du Gruyère: Slow-Up bicycle ride.

Road closed to cars. All other wheels invited. www.slowup.ch 14 JULY Zurich: Orange Cinema: outdoor cinema on a 300 square-metre screen overlooking Lake Zurich. Zürihorn, until 14 August. www.orangecinema.ch 14-17 JULY Berne: Gurtenfestival: Artic Monkeys, Jamiroquai and many more big names are what make this one of Switzerland’s best-loved music festivals. www.gurtenfestival.ch

15-17 JULY Thun: Hand Organ Festival, “Nostalgia for Eye and Ear” is the motto of this year’s International Hand Organ Festival that will bring hurdy-gurdy players from all over the world to the old town of Thun. www.drehorgelfestival.ch

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15-31 JULY Verbier: Verbier Festival, prestigious music festival held in Verbier and Martigny. www.verbierfestival.com 16 JULY Basel: Basel Tattoo, the second biggest open-air event of this type in the world and unique in Switzerland. At the Kaserne, until 23 July (see Brief News) www.baseltattoo.ch 19-24 JULY Nyon: Paléo Music Festival The second largest open-air music festival in Europe. A “green and sustainable” event with musicians from around the world performing a wide range of music. www.paleo.ch 27 JULY Basel: “Im Fluss”. Sit on the banks of the Rhine and listen to music played on a raft moored on the river by the Mittelerebrücke. Until 13 August. www.imfluss.ch 31 JULY Nyon: Flea Market/Les Puces de Nyon Everything you can imagine for sale at a lovely lakeside setting in Nyon. www.quartierderive.ch Biel: Big Bang Festival Be among the first to celebrate the Swiss National Holiday by joining the celebration in Biel! The Festival is part of the Bieler Seefest and will be serving up food, music and fun all day and into the night, with a fireworks display at 22:30. www.bielerseefest.ch 31 JULY-6 AUGUST Avanches: Rock oz’Arenes. The openair Roman coliseum welcomes wellknown rock artists. This year, Ben Harper and Bob Sinclair are included in the programme. www.rockozarenes.com

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July

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August 1 AUGUST Swiss National Day: Farm Brunch in many Cantons. Celebrate 1 August with a delicious farm brunch to start the day.

The website is in French and German.

See the list of locations close to you on the home site. www.brunch.ch 4 AUGUST Basel: open-air cinema on the Münsterplatz by Orange Cinema. Until 28 August. www.orangecinema.ch 4-14 AUGUST Geneva: Fêtes de Genève, the largest summer festival in Switzerland, right in the heart of Geneva: amusement park rides, concerts, shows and international food. The magnificent, hour-long fireworks display on Saturday 13 August is the biggest in Europe. www.fetesdegeneve.ch 5 AUGUST Fehraltorf ZH: Highland Games. Traditional games from the Scottish highlands for men, women and children, along with Celtic and medieval music.

Until 7 August. www.highland-games.ch 9-13 AUGUST Neuchâtel: Buskers Festival A free festival of “natural music” on the local streets for everyone to enjoy. www.neuchateltourisme.ch

SWITZERLAND

10 AUGUST Lucerne: Lucerne Festival in Summer, the celebrated classical music festival, until 18 September. KKL and other venues. www.lucernefestival.ch 11-13 AUGUST Berne: Buskers Bern Street Music Festival. Attracts street performers from the world over to Berne’s old town for a weekend of unforgettable entertainment. www.buskersbern.ch 11-24 AUGUST Berne: Circus Knie, the Swiss National Circus, will be rolling into town with acrobats, animals acts, clowns and lots of fun for young and old. www.knie.ch

12 AUGUST Basel: Shakespeare in the Courtyard, an open-air summer festival with Upstart Entertainment performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. At Nadelberg 6, Basel. Also on various other dates until 10 September. www.upstart-entertainment.ch 13 AUGUST Zurich: Street Parade, Techno music on the move through town.

UpcomiNg UpcomiN Network eveNtS

Would you like to meet new people, have fun, chat and

18 AUGUST Basel: The 3-day RAID vintage car sports rally from Basel to Paris, being held for the 21st time. Starts at 12:30 from the round courtyard of the Mustermesse. Also Concours d’Elegance on 17 August. www.raid.ch

discover Switzerland?

19 AUGUST Basel: “Em Bebbi sy Jazz”, one-night jazz festival centred on Rumelinsplatz and spreading over most of the city centre. www.embebbisyjazz.ch

Singles Surprise Event

20 AUGUST Zurich: Limmatschwimmen, thousands of participants swim or float down the river to Oberer Letten. In case of bad weather, 27 August. www.limmatschwimmen.ch

Festival in Interlaken

20-21 AUGUST Grandson: Mediaeval Festival, Castle of Grandson. Two days of costumes, music, games, and entertainment from the Middle Ages. www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch

10 September, Zug

20-27 AUGUST Wengen: Mendelssohn Music Week This promises a week of entertainment and surprises for classical music fans. www.wengen.ch 25-28 AUGUST Lausanne: 6th Annual African Film Festival. www.cinemasdafrique.ch 27 AUGUST Basel: BRA bookworm sale of secondhand books in English at the Quartierzentrum, Bachletten, 09:00 to 14:30. www.britishresidents.ch

Then join us – we are organising a wide range of events.

Our Events over the next few months are as follows: 9 June, Basel 16 June, Neuchâtel Wine tasting 18 June, Bern Guided Tour of the Federal Jodeling 4 September, Fribourg Minigolf & Grill & Chill Event Murten 9 September, Lausanne Surprise Event Mount Pilatus Sunrise Walk 15 September, Zurich Wine Divine

Detailed information on the events, photos and impressions will be published afterwards on www.packimpex.ch/events If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us on +41 (0)61 206 90 53 or send an email to events@packimpex.ch

Voluntary Organisations & Groups British Residents’ Association of Switzerland (BRA) Regional activities in Basel, Berne/ Neuchatel, Romandie, Ticino & Zurich. www.britishresidents.ch British-Swiss Chamber of Commerce Independent not-for-profit organisation based in Zurich, with chapters in Basel, Berne, Central Switzerland, Geneva, Liechtenstein, London, Ticino & Zurich. info@bscc.ch, www.bscc.co.uk Day Away Association For Women Sponsors breakfast seminars addressing life issues from a biblical perspective, with seminars in Zurich, Berne, Basel, & St. Gallen. www.dayaway.org Federation of Anglo-Swiss Clubs An association of English-speaking clubs all over Switzerland, with a wide range of social and cultural activities. www.angloswissclubs.ch Gymboree Play & Music programme for newborns and children of up to 5 years old in Basel, Berne, Geneva, Zug and Zurich. www.gymboree.ch.

Hash House Harriers, Switzerland Popularly known as the drinking club with a running problem, with kennels in Basel, Berne, Geneva, Interlaken, Lucerne and Zurich. www.harrier.ch Toastmasters International Meetings in Basel, Berne, Geneva, Lausanne, Zug & Zurich. English as a mother tongue not required. www.toastmasters.ch

Basel American Women’s Club of Basel A non-profit social and philanthropic organization with about 160 members.

Maintains library at Centrepoint with over 5,000 English-language books. www.awcbasel.org

Anglo-Swiss Club Basel The ideal meeting place for crosscultural exchange, meetings usually on Thursdays. www.asc-basel.ch Basel Childbirth Trust BCT For English-speaking expectant parents and families with young children. For more information, contact: membership.bct@gmail.com www.baselchildbirthtrust.com.

Morris Dancing Group Meets on Wednesdays in the Halle au blé in Ferrette. Squire: Pete Sandbach, peter.sandbach@roche.com Contact: lizzie.gleaves@wanadoo.fr 0033 389 07 86 01 www.chamerion.ch/ferrette-morris Open Door Zwingerstr 20 4053 Basel. For English speaking families with young children.

061 361 1710, www.opendoorbasel.ch

Basel Cricket Club Weekly training sessions on Thursdays at the Gymnasium Münchenstein. www.baselcricket.ch

Professional Women’s Group, Basel An affiliate of Centrepoint with over 130 members. Meets on the last Monday of the month. www.pwg-basel.ch

Basel Irish Club A meeting place for Irish people and friends of Ireland. www.baselirishclub.com

Rugby Football Club Basel Founded in 1975, now has 150 members including juniors and women. www.rugbybasel.ch

Boy Scouts of America For boys of all nationalities, 11 to 18yrs.

Meetings, 19:00 Wednesdays (termtime), International School of Basel, Reinach. Steve Crump, scoutmaster, steven.crump@bluewin.ch

Savoyards: Gilbert & Sullivan Society For all G&S enthusiasts, with regular meetings, singalong evenings, visits. info@savoyards.ch www.savoyards.ch

Centrepoint For expatriates of all nationalities and Swiss living in Basel. At the Lohnhof, with book & DVD library and full programme of events. Contact Janet Barreto: programmes@centrepoint.ch www.centrepoint.ch, 061 261 2002

Scottish Country Dance Group Meets every Tuesday at the Bettenecker School in Allschwil. www.scdgb.ch

Connexions Social Events Club Organises social events and activities for English-speaking adults of all nationalities in the Basel region. www.connexions.ch English Seminar Choir Open to all singers. Rehearses on Tuesdays, 12:15-13:45, in the Grosser Hörsaal, English Seminar, Nadelberg 6, Basel. www.esc-basel.ch English-Speaking Cancer Support Group Contact: Sue Style, 0033 389 07 30 34 s.style@hrnet.fr, or Alwyn Hinds Merk, 061 481 4767

Semi-Circle Basel’s English-language amateur drama group, with regular readings and productions twice a year. www.semi-circle.ch

Berne American Women’s Club of Berne Founded in 1949, with a current membership of around 150 women. www.awcbern.org ASK: All Special Kids Berne Chapter of the Geneva-based non-funded, volunteer parent network, to support the families of children with special needs and learning difficulties. www.allspecialkids.org

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Switzerland

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Australia-New Zealand Contact Club Holds informal social events four or five times a year. tritt.bizland.com/anzcc Berne Dancing Bears American Western Square Dance Club, meets on Wednesday evenings, 20:0022:00 at the Cleehus in Bumpliz. www.squaredance.ch Berne Cricket Club For everyone who enjoys playing and/or watching cricket. http://berne.play-cricket.com Canada Club of Berne For singles and families who are from or have lived in Canada, with monthly events. www.canadaclub.ch English Club Biel Meets usually on Wednesday in its own club room at Nidaugasse 43 in Biel. www.englishclubbiel.ch English Speaking Club of Berne A meeting point for English speakers in Berne. Club bar open Thursdays & Fridays from Eight till Late.

031 381 6364 (bar nights only) www.englishclub.ch

SWITZERLAND

English Speaking Playgroup/School Founded as a playgroup for English speaking children, the group offers classes and examination courses for children aged 3 – 18 years old. www.esp-bern.ch info@esp-bern.ch

Rugby Club Berne With teams for men and women. Plays at the Allmend (across from Stade de Suisse). www.rugbybern.ch Swiss African Forum (SAF) An innovative voluntary association on African Integration working within charities, organisations and NGOs. www.saf03.ch SAMS Swiss American Society Berne For fostering close contacts between the United States and Switzerland.

Secretary: Silvya Handy Laubeggstrasse 14, 3013 Berne thehandys@bluewin.ch Swiss-British Society Berne Meets about once a month for cultural events with a British flavour.

Contact: Regina Walter-Fuchs rewal@gmx.ch SwissEnglish Services Combines business promotion with networking in the English-speaking community. swisscc-subscribe@yahoogroups.com www.swissenglish.ch Upstage Berne’s English-language amateur theatre group, with twice-yearly productions, readings and workshops. www.upstage.ch

Romandie

Fribourg Expat Woman’s Group A new club with lots of activities and free membership. Visit http://fribourgexpatwomansgroup.com or email kerri@fribourgexpatwomansgroup.com

American International Women‘s Club of Geneva (AIWC) With 700 members from 50 different nations, speaking over 10 languages.

11 Route de Chêne, 1207 Geneva 022 736 0120, www.aiwcgeneva.org

Friends of ISBerne An extension of ISBerne’s Parent Teacher Committee to develop a deeper connection with the community. www.isberne.ch/about-us/ friends-of-isberne

American Women’s Club of Lausanne With its own clubhouse at Avenue Eglantine 6, 1006 Lausanne 021 320 2688, www.aiwc-lausanne.org

International Club of Berne For people from all corners of the world with English as the common language. wd@bluewin.ch

Anglo-Swiss Club of Fribourg Meets monthly on Thursday/Friday.

Contact Reidar Magnus 026 481 5928 www.angloswissclubs.ch

English Cancer Association 21 ch. de Saussac, 1256 Troinex 022 300 2967 info@cancersupport.ch www.cancersupport.ch English-Speaking & Anglo-Swiss Club Lausanne Social club for all English speakers, with a wide range of activities.

Case Postale 541, 1001 Lausanne 021 802 2858 www.esc-lausanne.ch Geneva Amateur Operatic Society The largest English-speaking amateur musical society on the continent, with three to four major stage productions each season. www.gaos.ch Geneva International Cricket Club Plays at the sports stadium at Bout-deMonde. www.gicc.ch Geneva English Drama Society Holds three or four full stage productions per year, staged playreadings, workshops and social events. www.geds.ch Geneva Scottish Country Dance Club Meets on Thursdays, beginners’ classes also offered. www.genevascdc.com International Club Lausanne Social club offering 2-3 activities per month. Contact: icl@urbanet.ch http://home.worldcom.ch/icl International Women’s Club of Nyon Case Postale 2369, 1260 Nyon membership@iwcn.ch www.iwcn.ch Neuchatel International Club ‘The Nic’ is a social club for local English-speakers of all nationalities, with full programme of events for families and singles. www.thenic.ch The Village Players, Lausanne Amateur theatre group.

P.O. Box 7561, 1002 Lausanne www.villageplayers.ch

American Club of Zurich Welcomes all US and Canadian citizens living in the Zurich area. For more details, call 079 243 5681. www.acz.ch American Women’s Club of Zurich With over 400 members in the greater Zurich area and its own club house at Schoentalstrasse 8, 8004 Zurich.

044 240 4455 www.awczurich.org Asian Ladies Club of Switzerland Frequent social, cultural and other activities for Asian ladies and others with an affinity for Asia. www.alc-swiss.ch Boy Scouts English speaking Scout Troop for boys between 10 and 17. Meets on Wednesday evenings at 19:00. For more information call Chris Fuchs, 041 760 5822.

DigiFotoCH Activity and discussion group for anyone who has an interest in digital photography. www.mydigifoto.ch The Elizabethan Singers Perform English music from 1600 to the present day. Director: Roland Johnson.

044 713 2194, www.e-singers.info English Speaking Club Zurich Meets several times monthly, with a regular “open house” on the last Tuesday. www.escz.ch “Expats-in-Zurich” Discussion List A discussion list and resource center for expats living in and around the canton Zurich. http://groups.yahoo. com/group/Expats-in-Zurich F.I.T. SWISS A multi-cultural forum for members to maximize their potential. www.fit-swiss.ch International Men’s Club (IMC) Weekly round table at the Mariott Hotel, monthly meetings with speaker and dinner. www.zimc.ch

International Club Winterthur A lively club with 150 members from more than 20 nations. www.internationalclub.ch

Zug/Lucerne

Irish Club of Zurich Monthly meetings. Contact: irish_in_zurich@yahoo.ie

Anglo-Swiss Club Lucerne Meets fortnightly on Wednesday.

Contact Robin Lustenberger 041 310 2912 www.angloswissclubs.ch

Living in Zurich (LIZ) English language orientation course covering must-know topics for newcomers.

Contact: 044 240 4455 for details

English Theatre Group of Zug Produces musicals, pantomines and plays, also other entertainments for special events by arrangement. www.etgz.ch

Professional Women’s Group of Zurich The PWG is an in-person networking platform for women who live in and around Zurich. www.professionalwomensgroup.com

International Men’s Club of Zug Over 250 English-speaking members from around the world. Weekly “Stammtisch” on Thursdays at the Parkhotel, Zug, and many other events. www.imcz.com

Rugby Club Zurich Regular training for men, women and juniors at Allmend Brunau Zurich. www.rugbyzurich.ch Swiss Friends of the USA (SFUSA) Swiss-American Society to promote cultural and business relations. Holds monthly lunch meetings with speaker. www.sfusa.ch Swiss American Chamber of Commerce Non-profit organisation, holds regular meetings in Zurich, Geneva & Lugano. www.amcham.ch Women’s Activity Club For families of all nationalities, with playgroups and “Learning Tree Cooperative School”.

Winterthurerstrasse 18, 8610 Uster 043 305 9250, www.wac.ch Zurich Comedy Club Meets on Monday for play-readings; regular performances. info@zcc.ch, www.zcc.ch Zurich International Club Zurich’s largest expat community. www.zhic.org Zurich International Women’s Association (ZIWA) Over 700 members from 65 nations. www.ziwa.com

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International Mums & Kids Club Zug The IMKC meets weekly at the Christlicher Treffpunkt in Baar, and also organises outings and family parties for traditional celebrations. www.imkc.ch Lucerne International Women’s Club Holds monthly luncheons, cultural and sports events and special projects for charities. www.iwcl.net Rugby Club Lucerne Training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursday at the Allmend, at 19:00 for women and 19:30 for men. www.rcl.ch Rugby Club Zug Practice sessions at Unterägeri. info@rugbyclubzug.ch www.rugbyclubzug.ch Swiss American Society Lucerne Over 300 members from all over central Switzerland, who get together for events and outings several times a month. info@sasl-lucerne.ch www.sasl-lucerne.ch Zug International Women’s Club The ZIWC offers a full range of activities with “Stammtisch”, outings, special interest groups, workshops, seminars and parties info@ziwc.ch, www.ziwc.ch

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Places of Worship Basel Anglican Church Sunday services 10.30 Adventshaus and 18.00 St Nicholas’ Chapel (Münster cloisters). Holy Communion 08.00 (first Sunday of the month only).

Chaplain: Rev Geoff Read www.anglicanbasel.ch Catholic Church Mass in English every Sunday at 5.30 at the Bruder Klaus Kirche. Contact Father Armin Rüssi, 061 735 11 57 www.esrccb.org Islamische König Faysal Stiftung Islamisches Center, Friedensgasse 18 4056 Basel, Tel. 061 263 24 50 Israelitische Gemeinde Basel IGB (Orthodox), Leimenstrasse 24, Basel Tel. 061 279 98 55 & 061 279 98 41 igb@igb.ch Israelitische Religionsgemeinschaft IRG (Orthodox), Ahornstrasse 14, Basel, tel/fax 61 301 49 47.

Migwan Basel’s liberal/progressive Jewish congregation. For more information contact Erica Bersin at erica@migwan.ch or visit our web site at www.migwan.ch

SWITZERLAND

Basel Christian Fellowship We are an English-speaking church of many nationalities who have joined together in our desire to worship Jesus Christ and to learn from His Word.

Sunday worship 10:30 a.m.

Adullam Chapel Mittlere Str. 13, 4056 Basel with children’s ministry Office: Missionsstr. 32, 4055 Basel Tel.: 061 322 1211 Fax: 061 322 1228 info@baselfellowship.org www.baselfellowship.org Pastor: David Manduka

Quaker Meetings in Basel On 1st/3rd Sundays each month.

Clerk: Ursula Schuppli, 061 601 72 57 basel@swiss-quakers.ch

crossroads International Church of Basel For seekers and believers, just like you, looking for answers and support in a home away from home.

A dynamic, fast growing Englishspeaking international church, with a worship service in an informal, contemporary style.

Services are held every Sunday at 10 am, with Sunday School and a nursery/toddlers’ playroom.

Reinacherstrasse 129, 3rd floor (near the VW/Audi dealership, Dreispitz).

Street parking or the Bus 36/Tram 16 stop Leimgrubenweg is within just a few steps of our entrance. Tram 10 & 11 stop Dreispitz is also just a short walk away.

Come and See! For more information about us, please visit our website www. crossroadsbasel.ch or call 061/331 70 10.

Quaker Meetings in Berne On 2nd/4th Sundays each month at the Reformiertes Forum Universität Bern.

Clerk: Art Funkhouser, 031 331 66 00 e-mail bern@swiss-quakers.ch Roman Catholic English Speaking Community Bruder Klaus Church, Segantinistr. 26, 3006 Berne. Tel. 031 350 14 14 St Ursula’s English Church Jubiläumsplatz 2, 3005 Berne Tel. 031 352 85 67

Romandie All Saints Anglican Church, Vevey 40, av. de la Prairie, Vevey Tel. 021 943 22 39 Baha‘i Community, Neuchatel Ch. du Pontet 6, 2013 Colombier Tel. 032/ 724-1583 bahai@bluewin.ch, www.bahai.ch

Berne

Christ Church, Lausanne Anglican Episcopal Church Avenue de l’Eglise Anglaise Case Postale 70, 1000 Lausanne Tel. 021 617 7670 info@christchurch-lausanne.ch

Berne Jewish Community Berne Community Synagogue Kapellenstrasse 2, 3011 Berne Worship: Friday at 18.00 and Saturday at 9.15. Tel. 031 381 49 92

Church of Scotland, Geneva Calvin’s Auditorium 1 place de la Taconnerie, Geneva Tel. 022 798 29 09; cofsg@pingnet.ch www.churchofscotlandgeneva.com

Berne International Evangelical Church (BIEC) Meets every Sunday at 17.00 in the FEG Chapel, Zeughausgasse 35, Berne

Evangelical Baptist Church, Geneva 7 rue Tabazan, 1204 Geneva Tel. 022 311 43 01; info@ebcg.ch

Berne Islamic Centre Lindenrain 2a, 3012 Berne Tel. 031 302 62 91 Berne Switzerland Temple The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints, Tempelstrasse 4, 3052 Zollikofen. Tel. 031 915 52 52

Grande Synagogue, Geneva Place de la Synagogue, Geneva Ashkenazi rituals with regular services Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Geneva Rue du Mont Blanc, Geneva Tel. 022 731 51 55 geneva-htc@anglican.ch

Chabad Lubawitsch Schweiz Rudigerstrasse 10, Zurich Tel. 044 289 70 50 Rabbi Rosenfeld speaks English

La Cote Anglican Church www.lacotechurch.ch

Christian Women’s Fellowship ‘Helferei’ Kirchgasse 13, 8001 Zurich Tel. 044 262 39 76 (Susan Pluess) Meetings: third Wednesday each month, 9.30-11.30. Babysitting available.

Lausanne Free Church English-speaking, evangelical, reform church, services Sunday at 10.30.

Chemin des Fleurettes 36, Lausanne Tel. 021 799 48 10 paula.hill@gmail.com www.lausanne-english-church.com Neuchatel Church International English-Speaking Church Chapelle des Charmettes rue Varnoz 1, Neuchatel Tel. 032 730 5183 info@neuchatel-church.ch

Confessional Lutheran Christian Ministry Grundstrasse 12, 8134 Adliswil Tel. +49 6131-277-9980 welschaplain@t-online.de www.welseurope.org

Jewish Orthodox I.R.G., Synagogue: Freigutstrasse 37, Zurich. Rabbi Levy speaks English Modern Orthodox: Israelitische Cultursgemeinde Zurich Synagogue: Lowenstrasse 10, Zurich Tel. 044 201 16 59 Rabbi Marcel Ebel speaks English Reform Or Chadash Synagogue: Fortunagasse 13, Zurich Tel. 044 221 11 53 Seventh-Day-Adventist Church Cramerstrasse 11, 8005 Zurich Tel. 044 880 7280; info@crami.ch

English Church Zurich Höhenringstrasse 11, 8052 Seebach Tel. 079 458 5135; ecz@cfaith.com www.englishchurch.ch

The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints Hohlstrasse 535, 8048 Altstetten ZH Tel. 044 430 10 15

Quaker Meeting House, Geneva Every Sunday at 10:30 at Quaker House, 13, av. du Mervelet, 1209 Geneva Clerk: David Hay-Edie, 0033 450 313 201 geneva@swiss-quakers.ch

English Speaking Catholic Mission of Canton Zurich Neptunstrasse 60,8032 Zurich Tel. 044 382 02 06 info@englishmission.ch

The Mosque of Zurich Rotelstrasse 86, 8057 Zurich Tel. 044 363 52 10 www.moschee-zurich.ch

Quaker Meetings, Lausanne First Sunday each month at 10:30 Clerk: Molly McJohn, 021 601 40 16 lausanne@swiss-quakers.ch

Evangelist Methodist Church Grundstrasse 12, 8134 Adliswil Tel. 044 710 62 51 Pkieselhorst@compuserve.om Further info: Jodi East, 044 480 27 40

St John the Evangelist, Montreux Anglican Church, 92, av. de Chillon, Territet. Tel. 021 963 43 54 Westlake Church Rue Juste Olivier 6, 1260 Nyon Tel. 022 990-2450 susan@westlakechurch.com www.westlakechurch.com

Zurich AGAPE Christian Centre Holderbachweg 12, 8046 Zurich Tel. 079 631 91 30 pastor@accm.ch, www.accm.ch Anglican Church of St. Andrew Promenadengasse 9, 8001 Zurich Tel. 044 252 6024; zurich@anglican.ch Daughter communities also in Zug/ Steinhausen, Baden/Türgi & St Gallen. www.standrewszurich.ch

Hindu: ISKON Temple Bergstrasse 54, Zurich. www.krishna.ch/start.html International Baptist Church Zurich Postfach, Gheistrasse 33 8803 Ruschlikon. Tel. 044 724 44 38 crosslife@ibcz.ch, www.ibcz.ch International Christian Fellowship (ICF) Zurich Hardstrasse 219, 8005 Zurich Tel. 043 366 76 76; www.icf.ch Sunday celebrations (genX) 10.30 am with English translation 7.00 pm International Protestant Church French Reformed Church, Schanzengasse 25, 8001 Zurich www.ipc-zurich.org E-mail: pastor@ipc-zurich.org Office: Zeltweg 20, 8032 Zurich 044 262 55 25, admin@ipc-zurich.org

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Zug/Lucerne All Saints’ Church, Lucerne Postfach 7653, 6000 Lucerne 7 Tel. 041 410 14 67 Anglican Congregation in Zug Reformed Church Steinhausen, served from Zurich www.standrewszurich.ch Good Shepherd’s, Zug Celebrates the Eucharist in English on last Saturday each month, 17.30.

Religious education offered for schoolaged children.

PO Box 2526, 6302 Zug; 041 728 80 24 good.shepherds@pfarrei-guthirt-zug.ch International Church of Lucerne Zähringerstrasse 7, 6003 Lucerne Tel. 041-240-2964 information@icl.ch, www.icl.ch Lift Ministeries – Zug Vorstadt 30 @ the Lake of Zug Post: Rigistrasse 174, 6340 Baar Tel. 041 760 97 77; ctbest@bluewin.ch www.liveitandgiveit.com

SWITZERLAND

Islamic Center of Geneva Also known as “the Little Mosque” 104, rue des Eaux-Vives, Geneva Tel. 022 736 75 86; www.cige.org/cige

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