Swiss Embassy Newsletter EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
"Dare to Fail!": the Solar Impulse's spirit made in Switzerland, an Interview with the two adventurous pilots
Issu e # 002 | Au tu m n 2016
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Taj Mohammad: the Institutional Memory of Switzerland in the UAE "Until today, I had the pleasure to work with already nine different Heads of Mission"
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M ission Accom pl ish ed!
Con t en t 1 2 7 10 13 16 21
A Wor d f r om t h e Am bassador High ligh t s of t h e Year " Dar e Failin g" : the Solar Impulse's Spirit Made in Switzerland (interview) New Faces, New People: Portrait of our New Staff Taj M oh am m ad: the Institutional Memory of Switzerland in the UAE In f or m at ion Fr om t h e Con su lar Depar t m en t Upcom in g Act ivit ies
A Word from the Ambassador
Dear fellow citizens in the United Arab Emirates, For Switzerland and the UAE, the summer of 2016 will forever resonate with the exploit of Solar Impulse, the solar airplane born in Switzerland, which flew around the world without using a single drop of fuel. Hence, the signal the two Swiss pilots gave to the world is clear: the future belongs to the dreamers, who are not afraid to turn a vision into reality or to, at least, try. In fact, as emphasized by Bertrand Piccard as he came out of his cockpit in Abu Dhabi: ?this is adventure, you must be willing to try, to fail, so that you can succeed!?. I sincerely hope that this spirit will accompany you in the months ahead. In this issue of the Swiss Embassy Newsletter, with a newly refreshed design, we will start by taking you through the main events the Embassy has been involved with since the beginning of the year. As it symbolizes an important momentum in the work of our mission, the Swiss Embassy Newsletter met with the two pilots of Solar Impulse, Bertrand Piccard and AndrĂŠ Borschberg, for an exclusive interview. Having met with the Swiss community in the UAE, the pilots will share with us their vision for the planet, as well as the meaning of their achievement for our country and the younger generation of Swiss. Further than technology and the realm of energies, change is also touching our Embassy. Indeed, while some colleagues are leaving, heading toward new adventures, new faces are joining the Embassy team. We will take advantage of this issue to get to know them a bit better. Nevertheless, while we welcome change, we do also value continuity, and here, I personally encourage you to read the interview conducted with Taj Mohammad, our dear colleague who has just celebrated his thirtieth anniversary of service! After a quick overview of facts and figures concerning the Swiss expatriate community in the world and in the region, we will present you the next events ahead not to be missed. Inter-cultural dialogue, literature, music, cinema and food will naturally be celebrated in a Swiss spirit. With this, I encourage you to stay connected to our website for continuously updated information and I sincerely hope to meet all of you at one of the Embassy?s forthcoming events. Yours sincerely, Maya Tissafi Ambassador of Switzerland to the UAE
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Highlights of the Year
During the Swiss Days - a Swiss Art Gate UAE's initiative organized under the Patronage of the Swiss Embassy - the duo Baccala Compagnia, two modern-day clowns, play out their hilarious show to the audience at the Madinat Theatre Jumeirah in Dubai
Swiss contermporary Alphorn player Eliana BĂźrki performs at the Spring Festival, organized by the Swiss Business Council
The Swiss Ambassador in conversation with H.E Doctor Sultan Al Jaber during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2016, at the Swiss Pavilion
Swiss band "More than Jazz" with Luzia Von Wyl Ensemble and special guest Emirati Oud Player Faisal Al Saari. Both shows were highliy acclaimed by the theatre?s audience of about 300 persons during the Swiss Days in Dubai
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Ghada Boulos, Senior Advisor for Government Relations and Protocol at the Embassy of Switzerland in the UAE, gives a speech at a Ladies Gala Dinner in March 2016
Zain Awad sings at a Ladies Gala Dinner orga-nized by the Swiss Embassy in partnership with Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Deluxe Hotel at the residence of the Swiss Ambassador Maya Tissafi
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The German Amb-assador together with the Ambassadors of Switzerland and Luxembourg took part in the "cycle to work" initiative in January 2016. The initiative aimed at sensitizing the public to ecological transportation means
Ambassador Maya Tissafi with H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), at the Airport Show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
Co-organized by Presence Switzerland, the Embassy of Switzerland in the UAE and the Montreux Comedy and Culture Emulsion, an international comedy gala, including Swiss humorist Thomas Wiesel, took place at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, in March 2016
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In April 2016, Switzerland became the first country to officially sign up to participate in Expo 2020 in Dubai. From left to right: Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Bruelhart (head of Section MENA FDFA); Swiss Ambasasador to the UAE, Maya Tissafi; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum; and Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimy (Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020)
Former Deputy Head of Mission, Adrian Bless, and Diplomatic Advisor, Aurora Bless, at their farewell, in the presence of the Swiss Consul, JĂźrg Metz
Ambassador Maya Tissafi meets with the different representatives at the pavilion organized by Switzerland Global Enterprise at the Gulfood 2016 exhibition
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Ambassador Maya Tissafi in conversation with Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (UAE Minister for Culture) and Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, (CEO of Masdar) at a reception organized by Masdar and the Swiss Embassy to celebrate the return of Solar
12 hours after the historical landing of the solar airplane, Solar Impulse, the Swiss Community in the UAE was invited by the Embassy to see the plane and meet with the pilots, at the Al- Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi
H.E. Prince Albert of Monaco, H.E. Doctor Sultan Al Jaber, and H.E. Doris Leuthard, Switzerland's Vice President,await the final landing of Solar Impulse in Abu Dhabi
T Swiss pianist Nik Bärtsch and his band, Mobile, perform a 27 hours concert organized by the Art Centre of the New York University in Abu Dhabi
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"Dare to Fail!": The Solar Impulse 's Spirit Made in Switzerland 7
n Tu esday 26 Ju ly of 2016, Sw iss VicePr esiden t Dor is Leu t h ar d t oget h er w it h t h e Sw iss Am b- assador t o t h e UAE, M aya Tissaf i, w elcom ed t he solar -pow er ed plan e, Solar Im pu lse 2, as it com plet ed it s r ou n d-t h e w or ld f ligh t in Abu Dh abi.
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Th is f an t ast ic ach ievem en t r epr esen t s n ot on ly a k ey st ep t ow ar ds a clean f u t u r e w h er e solar pow er w ill in cr easin gly play a pivot al r ole, bu t also a m essage of h ope f or f u t u r e gen er at ion s. Th e Sw iss Em bassy New slet t er h ad a r ar e occasion t o in vit e t h e t w o Sw iss pilot s of Solar Im pu lse 2 t o r ef lect on t h eir exploit :
SEN: It has been 1 month now since you landed in Abu Dhabi, concretizing an exploit which will inspire an entire generation. What has been the impact of the project and how do you see the message of Solar Impulse evolving in the
next years? Ber t r an d Piccar d: Having had the opportunity to have a live conversation with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon during the Paris Agreement signing ceremony at the UN Headquarters in New-York, and a one to one with the President of the European Parliament, we can reasonably assume that our message is being heard by the political world. Now this message ? today, clean technologies ensure a reduction of half of our CO2 emissions, whilst also creating employment and generating profits ? has to be taken further and that will be the role of the International Committee of Clean Technologies. Hence, there is no need to be ?ecological?, if we simply become ?logical?.
SEN: From a diplomatic point of view, your adventures have represented a wonderful platform for governments to discuss, exchange and
share good practices. We also know that there was an ambition to take advantage of the momentum Solar Impulse created to set up a new international agency dedicated to clean technologies. Where do you currently stand in that regard?
Ber t r an d Piccar d: Indeed, as I mentioned above before, we are currently working on the creation of the International Committee of Clean Technologies. The aim is to bring together the game changing actors in this domain, who are often isolated and unknown, to create a common communication platform giving them a stronger voice and enabling them to better advise governments on the implementation of modern and clean technologies that will make for a harmonious economic development of our planet.
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SEN: We know that the Swiss Vice President, Doris Leuthard, together with the Swiss Ambassador to the UAE, Maya Tissafi, came to welcome you at your final landing in Abu Dhabi. Both in their addresses to the press, were proud to reflect on the ?Swissness? of your exploit. Adventurous, precise, innovative, brave, or maybe boring? where do you see the Swiss character of Solar Impulse taking shape?
An dr ĂŠ Bor sch ber g: Of course in the innovative nature of the project, but also in the entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit that we found in all the Swiss companies that contributed to the construction
of the airplane and the success of Solar Impulse.
SEN: The day after your arrival, the Embassy organized an event with SI?s team and the Swiss community in the UAE at Al-Bateen Airport. There, a lot of children were present, looking at the cockpit of SI full of dreams in their eyes. What do you want to tell them? An dr ĂŠ Bor sch ber g: I encourage you to develop your ideas and believe in your dreams. You are going to meet people along the way who will tell you: ?That?s not going to work, that?s not possible.? Don?t believe them. It is interesting to realize that we are the ones who set our own limits. We are the
ones who define the boundaries that we think we cannot overcome. But you can change that by shifting your mindset. This will allows you to push back your limits, expand your own boundaries and gives you the sufficient level of positive energy to overcome the obstacles that you are facing.
SEN: In the name of Switzerland and the Swiss Embassy in the UAE, I would like to thank you for this interesting interview and wish you best of luck in your next adventures.
The solar airplane,
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Solar Impulse 2, flying over the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi
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New Faces, New People: A Portrait of our New Staff 10
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he Embassy is happy to have welcomed five new staff members since the beginning of the year: Vincent Pasquier, Girolamo Mateazzi, Marietta Deuber, Salome Stevens and Alan Marzo. Mr. Vin cen t Pasqu ier is the new Deputy Head of Mission at the Swiss Embassy. He took up his function in August 2016 as a successor to Mr. Adrian Bless. Born in Geneva in 1979, Vincent studied in Lausanne, Geneva and London. He worked for the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Syria and the West Bank before joining the diplomatic service in 2009. After a post in the Swiss Embassy in Washington, D.C., Vincent worked for the Directorate for European Affairs where he was Head of Section for Justice and Home Affairs. In Abu Dhabi, Vincent heads the team dealing with political and economic affairs, as well as culture, education, science and energy.
Colonel Girolamo Matteazzi, Swiss Defense Attaché to the UAE
Vincent Pasquier, new Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in the UAE
Colonel Matteazzi was born in 1961 and
grew up in Geneva, where he completed his studies in political sciences. He has more than 15 years of working experience within the Swiss Ministry of Defense in various positions and already served as Defense Attaché in Belgrade between 2004 and 2008. Prior to join the Federal Administration, Colonel Matteazzi worked many years in the field, including for the ICRC and the UN (Balkans and Middle-East). Colonel Gir olam o M at t eazzi has been newly appointed as Swiss Defense Attaché to the UAE. He is the successor of Lt-Colonel Gabriel Lüchinger, who went back to Switzerland to take up a new professional challenge. As Lt-Colonel Lüchinger left before the end of his tour of duty, Colonel Matteazzi will cover the post from Bern, travelling back and forth to Abu Dhabi upon request. From June 2017, Colonel Matteazzi will be permanently established in Abu Dhabi for a period of 3 to 4 years. 11
Having joined the Embassy at the beginning of the summer, M r . Alan M ar zo succeeds Ms. Aurora Martinez in the role of Diplomatic Advisor, a function in which he covers political and cultural affairs. Prior to his arrival in the UAE, Alan was working for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) in Kenya, where he acted as a Programme Officer for the Horn of Africa in charge of humanitarian and refugee issues. Mr. Marzo is a graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London and holds a Bachelor in International Relations (University of Geneva).
Marietta Deuber, Receptionist and Visa Officer
Born and raised in Zug, but originally from south-east Switzerland with Rhaeto-Romanic as mother tongue, M ar iet t a Deu ber is fluent in all 4 official Swiss languages as well as English and Spanish. Following her graduation in 2010 from Hotel Management in Zurich, she pursued a successful hospitality career in 5 star hotels with assignment that granted her experience in Europe, Middle East, North-East Africa and China.
Alan Marzo, Diplomatic Advisor
Ms. Salom e St even s has joined the Swiss Embassy on 1 July 2016 as a Political Advisor and Project Manager. Born in Zurich in 1985, Ms. Stevens studied in Geneva, Bern and Palestine. She joined the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in 2013 through the Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peace Building. Before coming to Abu Dhabi, she worked as a Legal Advisor for the Investigation Unit of the Zurich City Police where she mainly supported the ongoing efforts in the fight against human trafficking.
Marietta decided to start a new career with the Embassy of Switzerland in Abu Dhabi where she joined the team in February 2016. Salome Stevens, Political Advisor and Project Manager
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Taj Mohammad : the Institutional Memory of Switzerland in the United Arab Emirates 13
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h e Sw iss Em bassy w ou ld lik e to ext en d it s best w ish es to Mr. Taj M oh am m ad, on h is t h ir t iet h an n iver sar y of ser vice w it h t h e Sw iss Em bassy in t h e Un it ed Ar ab Em ir at es, a gr eat occasion t o r ef lect on h is exper ien ce in t h e r egion .
SEN: Taj, you have been working for the Swiss Embassy for more than 30 years now, can you tell us how everything started?
I actually first started working for the embassy as a chauffeur and a messenger, I remember very well, that was on June the 1st, 1986! During those years, the head of the Swiss Mission was the ChargĂŠ d?Affaire, Mr. Pierre Bringolf.
SEN: Representing a pillar of the institutional memory of Switzerland in the UAE, what can you tell us about the evolution of the Swiss presence in the region?
Well, when I first joined in 1986, the Embassy counted only with 4 staff members: the head of mission, two colleagues from the commercial department and me. One year after my start, the Embassy premises moved from Khalifa street to larger premises in Hamdan street, a vibrant part of Abu Dhabi. In 1996, almost ten years after I joined the team, Kurt Welte was appointed as the first Swiss Ambassador to the UAE.
Likewise, the Swiss Community in the region increased in number: from less than 300 in 1987 to more than 3000 today.
So, in general, I can really say I have witnessed the growth and development of the Swiss representation functions and duties. Indeed, until today, I had the pleasure to work with already nine different Heads of Mission: Mr. Pierre Bringolf, Mr. Emanuel Dubs, Mr. Hans Ulrich, HE Kurt Welte, HE Peter Vogler, HE Francois Then, things quickly Barras, HE Wolfgang Mohammad Bruelhart, HE accelerated: the Consulate -Taj Amadeus expanded, a Swiss Andrea Reichlin and HE Business Hub to assist Maya Tissafi. Swiss businesses in the region was created, and SEN: Dealing with logistics the first resident Defense is obviously a complex AttachĂŠ was appointed, in function and you have 2009, if I remember been working in the correctly. I guess we can sector with the embassy say the evolution is for all those years. During striking, taking into this period of time, what account the fact that have been the most nowadays, our embassy important changes you counts, in its brand new witnessed? location, more than 30 staff members working in the different sections! 14
The most important change that I personally witnessed is without doubts the evolution of the role of computers, as well as the internet technology in the sector. This has come also with numerous challenges. For instance, I remember that, when the UAE government shifted to e-Government, all the procedures, applications and other administrative duties we were traditionally dealing with using our typing machines, had to be done online. Hence, I had to quickly learn how to make proper use of a computer as well as all the numerous related programs to adapt to the change.
SEN: In your function you came across many generations of Swiss persons. Throughout all those years, how would you define the Swiss identity and have you seen it evolving?
I think one can define the Swiss character as: very nice, friendly, helpful, and punctual, a bit like in the typical stereotypes! (laughs). In my view, the former and older generation of Swiss still share several identity features, except when it comes to the use of new technologies! (laughs)
"In general, I can really say I have witnessed the growth and development of the Swiss representation functions and duties. Indeed, until today, I had the pleasure to work with already nine different Heads of Mission" Taj Mohammad
SEN: In the name of Switzerland and the Swiss Embassy in the UAE, I would like to thank you for this interesting
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The team of the Embassy celebrating Taj's thirtieth anniversary of service
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Information from the Consular Department
Im por t an t in f or m at ion f or Sw iss cit izen s livin g abr oad
A regular contact between Swiss nationals living abroad and the Swiss representations benefits both parties. The following points are of particular importance: ? Obligat ion t o r egist er w it h t h e Em bassy w it h in 90 days af t er de-r egist r at ion f r om last place of r esiden ce in Sw it zer lan d ? Not if y t h e Em bassy of you r ch an ge of addr ess by Em ail ? Keep you r civil st at u s alw ays act u alized (r egist er bir t h s, m ar r iages et c.) ? For passpor t applicat ion s please visit : www.schweizerpass.ch
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Or gan izat ion of t h e Sw iss Abr oad Th is year , OSA (t h e Or gan izat ion of t h e Sw iss Abr oad), celebr at es it s cen t en ar y. Back in 1916, t h e m ain object ive of t h is f ou n dat ion w as t o f or ge closer lin k s bet w een t h e Sw iss abr oad an d Sw it zer lan d. Today, t h e OSA h as t h r ee m ain object ives: To efficiently represent the general interests of almost 762?000 Swiss citizens living abroad before the Swiss authorities and with the public at home. To promote good relations between Swiss living abroad and strengthen their ties with Switzerland. To provide a wide up-to-date range of specialized services. Website: http://aso.ch/en
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Con su lat e Gen er al, Du bai: The address of the Consulate General in Dubai World Trade Center is the home of the Swiss Business Hub Middle East. The Swiss Business Hub promotes business relations between a wide variety of economic actors, linking partners in the respective countries with businesses in Switzerland and establishing useful contacts in bilateral trade and service sectors. Specific information on local economic conditions in the host country simplifies the implementation of international business objectives. Swiss Business Hubs also promote Switzerland abroad as a good place for business.
Con su lar ser vices, Em bassy Abu Dh abi: All con su lar ser vices for Swiss nationals are carried out by the Embassy of Switzerland in Abu Dhabi as the designated Consular Service Center for the seven Emirates. Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street, Centro Capital Center Building, 17th floor Office Building Adjacent to Rotana Centro Hotel, ADNEC / Exhibition Centre Area T 02 627 46 36 / F 02 626 96 27 / E adh.vertretung@eda.admin.ch Homepage: https://www.eda.admin.ch/uae
All visa ser vices are carried out by the Embassy in Abu Dhabi. However, applications for Schengen visa are handled by our external service provider VFS in Du bai or Abu Dh abi: Homepage: https:/www.vfsglobal.ch/switzerland/uae 17
Few f igu r es abou t t h e Sw iss Com m u n it y in t h e Un it ed Ar ab Em ir at es an d it s Evolu t ion t h r ou gh ou t t h e year s In September 2016, 3?016 Swiss citizens living in the U.A.E. were registered at the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi. This makes the Swiss community in the U.A.E. the 5th largest Swiss community in Asia and the biggest in the Arab world (Graph A). Graph B (p.19) articulates the growth of the Swiss Colony in the U.A.E., between 2010 and 2016. As the graph shows it, in 6 years, the amount of Swiss in the country has almost doubled. Through the Graph C, looking at the correspondence languages used by Swiss citizens in the U.A.E., we can observe that, -Quote Author among the Swiss community in the region, the French speakers represent a majority. Finally, analyzing the age of our citizens in the U.A.E., we realize that more than 20% of the Swiss residing in the U.A.E. are under the age of 10 (p.20).
Sw iss Colon ies in t h e Ar ab Wor ld d Graph A
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Gr ow t h of t h e Sw iss Colon y in t h e U.A.E. 2010-2016 Graph B
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Cor r espon den ce lan gu ages of t h e Sw iss Com m u n it y in t h e U.A.E. iam Graph C
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Wh at is t h e age of ou r cit izen s in t h e U.A.E.? Graph D
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Upcoming Activities Eu r opean Film Scr een in g (19- 27.10.2016): The best of European Cinema is coming to the UAE from the 19th to the 27th of October. In this dynamic, the team of the Swiss Embassy invites you to join us at the mall of the World Trade Centre in Abu Dhabi, as well as at Ibn Battuta Mall and Dubai Festival City Mall to discover a fantastic selection of 5 creative short movies made in Switzerland!
Su bot ik a: Lan d of Won der s (Pet er Volk ar t ) Short Film, Fiction, Switzerland, 2015 selected for the European Film Screenings
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Sw iss Ch r ist m as M ar k et (07- 10.12.2016): From the 7th to the 10th of December 2016, the Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi will organize its 12th edition of the Swiss Christmas Market in Abu Dhabi, at the courtyard and lawn of the Beach Rotana Hotel. For this occasion, a small Swiss village and winter wonderland will be created and vendors will be invited to join the event to sell seasonal items, ornaments, decoration gifts and typical handicrafts out of nicely decorated -Quote Author Swiss Chalets. Don?t miss it! Picture of a stand at the Swiss Christmas Market which took place last year, in November
Lin dt Sam ich lau s even t (10.12.2016):
Samichlaus telling stories to two young girls who came to see him during last year 's edition
The holiday season ushers in the Lindt Samichlaus event organised by the Swiss Business Council Dubai & Northern Emirates together with the Swiss Ladies Dubai. Be prepared for a festive family day out at the Moevenpick Hotel Ibn Battuta Gate, where visitors will be welcomed with mulled wine and Swiss sweet bread, Grittibaenz. The brunch buffet will overflow with traditional dishes and Swiss chocolates for the young and young at heart. Samichlaus (Santa) will leave his sleigh behind and will arrive to an eager group of children, waiting to tell him their stories. Many activities will keep the young ones entertained. Be there on the 10.12.2016, between 11:30 and 15:00.
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Sw iss Days: Next January, a new edition of the Swiss Days will take place. Organized by Swiss Art Gate UAE under the Patronage of the Embassy of Switzerland, and taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this new edition will honor talented Swiss artists such as the Swiss Music Award Winner 2016 ?Bastian Baker ?; 3-time European and World Yo-Yo Champions ?Inmot!on? and the Hip Hop dance company " Special Elements? .
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The Yo-Yo champions "Inmot!on" during one of their previous shows
Bastian Baker, the multiple award winning musician is coming to Abu Dhabi next January for the celebration of the Swiss Days
The Hip Hop dance company "Special Elements" performing at one of their acrobatic shows
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