issue 2 / 2015
DISCOVER HIKING FOR FAMILIES r one e b num The owledge ource kn ion s d’s t a r i rlan insp and r Switze onal i fo rnat ity e t n i mun com
80 AMAZING SUMMER EVENTS ENGLISH LIVE SHOWS ALL OVER SWITZERLAND www.helloswitzerland.ch
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IN THIS ISSUE 3
issue 2/ 2015
29
20 RELOCATION MADE EASY
DISCOVER SWITZERL AND
ROGER FEDERER'S DAY OFF SUNRISE FREEDOM SPEAKS FOR ITSELF:
43
The flexible mobile plan with no minimum terms.
ENGLISH LIVE SHOWS
ile re free to change your mob With Sunrise Freedom, you’ as the offer speaks for itself, t. And plan whenever you wan . off to do something else Roger Federer has the day .ch/RF Find out more at sunrise
34 Front cover: © Maridav / Fotolia Photos: © Marina Moeller / Titlis; © Anna Omelchenko / Dollarphotoclub; © Sunrise / Roger Federer; © Semi-Circle / English Theatre
WELCOME TO SWITZERLAND Community wall Letter from the Editor World class events
4 5 9
WHAT'S ON May calendar June calendar July calendar
10 12 14
HIGH_158200_Sunrise15_PINGPONG_HelloSwitz220x300_e_ZS 1
FEATURED PARTNERS
CAREER
Relocation made easy 20 Mediterranean living 21 Investment advice 23 Intercultural consulting 25 The right insurance policy 27 Roger Federer's day off 29 Handling medical emergencies 30
How to survive being fired! Why invest in yourself?
SETTLE IN Sailing in the slow lane Relocating with pets
TCS's spring tips for your car 31 16 17
DISCOVER SWITZERLAND CULTURE Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel 18
Hiking special feature: Land of storybook bridges Hiking with kids The lake Lucerne region
34 37 38
39 41
ENTERTAINMENT English live shows
43
THE LAST WORD Meet Sulini
DRIVING
26.02.15
46
Ask usng anythi LY
4 COMMUNIT Y WALL
A N D.C
H
ERL T ZE IF A SW S O L E M AG L V E I @H SWITZ F OR O L I ND L E H
VOLUNTEERING
T WIT T
ER: @
YOUR E R A H S V IE W S
Volunteering is a way to get involved with inspiring causes and to get connected with a like-minded community. From cultural and sporting events to charity work, there are many opportunities for English speakers to volunteer in Switzerland. Find a list of volunteer opportunities for English speakers on Hello Switzerland: www.helloswitzerland.ch/-/volunteer-in-switzerland
MOVERS AND SHAKERS IN THE ENTERTAINMENT SCENE Meet the expats who are energising Switzerland’s English-language entertainment scene. Find out more in our special feature on English-language theatre on page 43.
Tony Dandan Upstage Theatre, Bern Nationality: Canadian Years in Switzerland: 2.5
Jennifer Rosset English Theatre Group of Zug Nationality: British Years in Switzerland: 34
John Fox Geneva Amateur Operatic Soc. Nationality: British Years in Switzerland: 41
Andaleeb Lily Stand-up Comedy Zug Nationality: British / Swiss Years in Switzerland: 18
I’m a member of the Executive Committee of Upstage and handle publicity. I enjoy the group because I get to meet new people and learn more about theatre production. Did I mention I got to upholster a chair for the very first time?
Being an active member of a theatre group is not all about standing in the spotlight, it’s about interacting with likeminded people who want to connect and be creative. ETGZ has given me so much, including some of my closest friends.
In 1981 I offered to design sets and posters for GAOS. I never considered myself theatrical but within 5 months I was in the chorus and on the committee. That was just the beginning. 34 years later, I still love it.
I missed that distinct English humour here in Switzerland so decided to organise stand-up comedy myself in Zurich, Zug and Lucerne. I now organise seven shows a year in Zug at the Theater Casino. Pre-booking is recommended!
www.upstage.ch
www.etgz.ch
www.gaos.ch
www.theatercasino.ch
LET TER FROM THE EDITOR 5
issue 2 / 2015
SUMMER’S HERE AND THE TIME IS RIGHT... Dear readers, With the prospect of hot sunny days (we hope!) on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to get your shades on, relax with a cool drink and enjoy this latest issue of Hello Switzerland, which is full to the brim with ideas and inspiration for your summer. If you’re toying with the idea of a ‘stay-cation’ this summer, or perhaps just a short break from the city, then why not head to the hills? We’ve got all the top tips for enjoying the best hiking that Switzerland has to offer, with a fine selection of Swiss hiking destinations to recommend to you. Or if it’s cultural pursuits you’re craving, we explore the world of English-language theatre across the country, with a comprehensive guide to all the groups, organisations and performances you can join or watch in cities all over Switzerland. And staying on the culture trip, we also travel to Neuchâtel to visit the Centre Dürrenmatt, with its stunning exhibitions, location and architecture. Our trusted Featured Partners pages are where you’ll find advice from the most reputable companies specialised in making your life as an expat in Switzerland that little bit easier. And, don’t forget, you’ll find the best reader offers and competitions on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, our app and our website. Enjoy the latest edition!
Jennifer Davies Managing Editor-in-Chief info@helloswitzerland.ch
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As the home to almost 40 museums and galleries, numerous buildings by world-famous architects, top-quality restaurants and world-class events, Basel is an ideal destination for a city trip. And this spring, the renowned Fondation Beyeler is hosting the cultural highlight of the year, the special exhibition “Paul Gauguin“, until 28 June 2015. Book today and make the most of our special offer for expats. In addition to overnight accommodation at preferential rates, this includes free entry to Fondation Beyeler and a BaselCard offering free or discounted entry to a number of attractions.
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WORLD CL ASS EVENTS 9
issue 2/ 2015
ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE How to build the foundations of successful events from conception, planning through to execution.
Bringing concepts and ideas to life is an exercise in relentless attention to detail. Ensuring successful events around the world requires creative thinking and clear processes. Here are 3 basic principles which lead to successful live communication, shared by industry expert Jürgen Künkel, CEO of Vantage Global Event Production.
“Live communication is a sensitive balance between transferring information and touching your audience’s emotions and attention.” says Künkel. How things look, sound and feel has a substantial impact on how your message gets into your audience’s mind.
1. LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND First and foremost, it is essential to understand the objectives and communication goals of the event by heart. From there the creative process can begin. Basing designs on technical preplanning and engineering ensures from the outset that ideas not only look good on paper, but are also feasible in practice. This approach reduces time, effort and ultimately, costs.
2. MAKING IDEAS WORK Every creative idea should lead to technical planning and thorough organisation before it becomes a reality. “At Vantage we take responsibility for the engineering, supplier selection, quality assurance, coordination and any related commercial aspects so that our clients can focus on other things” says Künkel. It takes experienced event producers to coordinate all suppliers, to handle the necessary clearance and approval processes, to deal with health and safety aspects, and to ensure that all ideas work.
3. ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE Timing is everything. Modern multimedia productions require the latest technologies, an experienced show caller, and operators who bring the technology to life. You only achieve the desired impact when the presenter, content, and stage effects appear in the right way.
Vantage provides every aspect of technical production, from creative concepts, consultation and technical planning, through to complete on-site delivery. Lights off, spot on.
ABOUT JÜRGEN KÜNKEL Jürgen Künkel (39), CEO and founder of Vantage, works with his team for industry clients such as Actelion, Roche and Novartis and for a variety of communication agencies. Besides supervising the business he maintains technical consultancy mandates for organisations such as Egon Zehnder, SportsAccord and TEDxWomen.
FOR MORE INFORMATION www.vantage-global.com j.kuenkel@vantage-global.com
10 WHAT’S ON
MAY 2015 Dance, design and degustations 17 Mar to 23 May 03 May Bern
Zug
08 to 09 May
08 to 10 May
International Jazz Festival Staged over 10 weeks, top international stars perform at Marians Jazzroom.
Oldtimer Sunday Morning Meet-up On the first Sunday of every month in summer, up to 800 classic cars cruise into Zug.
Mad Muni festival Metal-heads galore. National and international punk, punkrock, metal and hardcore bands come to town.
Dance festival Libraries, theaters, pedestrian crossings and even private apartments become dance floors.
www.osmt.ch
www.madmuni.ch
www.fetedeladanse.ch
02 May Samnaun GR
Top of the Mountain concert The crowning finale to the 2014/2015 winter season held in the Silvretta ski arena.
www.ischgl.com
02 May Epesses VD
Wine festival Epesses Nouveau The winemakers invite you to taste this year’s vintage wine!
www.epesses-nouveau.ch
02 May Stans NW
03 May Glarus GL
NEW: TIME OUT SWITZERL AND
Cantonal outdoor assembly One of the oldest forms of direct democracy, residents come together to have their say.
Founded in 1968 in London, Time Out has become the authority on entertainment, events, and everything that's happening in the most exciting cities in the world. Time Out is the most cutting-edge and comprehensive guide to all that is happening in the main Swiss cities. From restaurants, shopping and events to nightlife, art and culture and the best things to do, Time Out helps its users to make the most of where they live.
www.landsgemeinde.gl.ch
03 May Olten
Wings For Life world run Global running and wheelchair event for athletes of all abilities. In 35 locations worldwide.
Alpine cheese market The place to be for cheese lovers and connoisseurs.
www.wingsforlifeworldrun.com
www.cheese-festival.ch
La Chaux-de-Fonds NE
02 to 03 May Geneva
Geneva Marathon A unique route through the city’s historical and cosmopolitan centre and surrounding countryside.
www.genevamarathon.org
All over Switzerland
Hello Switzerland is delighted to welcome Time Out to Switzerland and to present Time Out Critics' Choice.
www.timeout.com/switzerland
05 to 10 May Festival Les Amplitudes Taking place every two years, don’t miss this exceptionally beautiful classical music festival.
www.lesamplitudes.ch
06 to 09 May Schaffhausen
26th Jazzfestival Schaffhausen Discover the Swiss jazz scene with a jam-packed program in four concert venues.
www.jazzfestival.ch
08 to 10 May Solothurn
CRITICS'CHOICE
National Bike Days 20,000 fans cheer on prominent riders competing for international titles, there's a big bike fair.
www.bikedays.ch
Photo:© Andreas Graber
www.jazzfestivalbern.ch
Saanen BE
WHAT’S ON 11
issue 2 / 2015
Find nts more evveents
MAY 2015
hs.ch /e p mobile ap or in our
13 to 17 May
17 May
Zaubersee: Russian Music Annual springtime festival celebrating Russian composers, writers and artists.
slowUp Hochrhein The streets are closed to traffic.Bikers and inline skaters rule the road.
www.zaubersee.ch
www.slowup-hochrhein.info
14 May
22 to 25 May
Strawberry festival Tickle your taste buds and try out a large assortment of scrumptious strawberry delicacies.
Animai This five day event is full of artistic activities for kids to explore, share and enjoy.
Lucerne
Locarno
22 to 25 May
RECOMMENDED
Ascona
International Street Artists Festival Over 100 free performances all along the lakeside. Marvel at pantomimes, stage plays, clowns, jugglers, and more.
www.artistidistrada.ch
09 May
09 May
Grand Prix Bern Locals call it the ten most beautiful miles to run in the world.
Cross-border cultural night Cultural institutions on both sides of the German-Swiss border open their doors.
www.gpbern.ch
www.kultur-nacht.ch
09 May
10 May
Cheese festival Taste the famous cheeses of the Fribourg region, like Gruyères and Vacherin.
25th Oberland Schwingfest (Schwingen) Get to know the traditional Swiss version of wrestling.
www.la-gruyere.ch
www.oberlaendischesschwingfest.ch
Bern
Photo:©artistidistrada/Maurizio Sabbatini
Gruyères
Bad Zurzach AG
Boltigen BE
bit.ly/1K86GFJ
14 to 16 May Basel
Laufenburg AG
Vevey
www.animai.ch
25 May Muri AG
Fantasy Basel The place to be for fantasy freaks, digital geeks and game addicts.
International motocross championship Get some dirt up your nose at this thrilling action-packed event.
www.fantasybasel.ch
www.mrsc-muri.ch
15 to 17 May
30 to 31 May
Literature festival Readings, discussions, workshops, musical-literary performances and exhibitions.
Open wine cellars days Bottoms up! Wine producers open for visitors to taste their wine for free.
www.literatur.ch
www.ticinowine.ch
17 May
31 May
Pony games-swiss championships Young knights from all over the country challenge each other in speed trials.
slowUp Solothurn-Buechibärg The streets are closed to traffic and open for bikers and inline skaters to rule the road.
Solothurn
Aigle VD
bit.ly/1B1HuJI
All over Ticino
Solothurn
www.slowup-solothurnbuechibaerg.ch
12 WHAT’S ON
JUNE 2015 Hot jazz, iron men and flea markets 02 Jun
05 to 11 Jun
06 Jun
13 Jun
DDT Concert The legendary Russian rock band fills stadiums around the world. Now they’re coming to Geneva.
Fencing European Championships Where fencing teams compete to qualify for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Niesenlauf Watch in awe as athletes run up the steep funicular train track of the Niesen mountain.
Les 12 heures de l'ange Colourful and creative tandem bikes and their riders zoom to the finishing line in style (or not).
www.theatreduleman.com
www.fencingeuro2015.com
05 to 07 Jun
05 to 13 Jun
Estavayer-le-Lac
Festival des Roses An entire festival dedicated to the flower of love.
www.festivaldesroses.ch
Montreux
Morges
Morges sous rire International comedy festival which will have French speakers in stitches.
www.morges-sous-rire.ch
Mülenen BE
www.niesenlauf.ch
06 Jun Engelberg
Strongmanrun Switzerland Mud, rubber tyres, bubbles and men in lycra. A fun team challenge with a difference.
www.strongmanrun.ch
07 Jun
Rapperswil-Jona Ironman 70.3 The little brother of Ironman Zurich. Swim 1.9 km, bike 90 km and run 21.1 km.
www.ironman..ch
11 Jun Geneva
OneRepublic concert The American pop-rock band raise the roof of the Geneva Arena.
www.geneva-arena.ch
18 to 21 June
CRITICS'CHOICE
Basel
Art Basel The oldest and most important contemporary art fair in the world is a performance piece in itself.
www.artbasel.com
12 to 14 Jun Lake Geneva
Bol d’Or Regatta The regatta’s 600+ boats travel from Geneva to Le Bouveret and back again.
www.boldormirabaud.com
Fribourg
www.fribourgregion.ch
13 to 14 Jun Geneva
Swiss Car Event The biggest indoor meeting of tuned and modified cars in Western Switzerland.
www.swisscarevent.ch/en
13 to 14 Jun Estavayer-le-Lac
Elsa Bike Trophy A competitive yet friendly bike race through the beautiful Estavayer-le-Lac region.
www.elsabiketrophy.ch
14 Jun
Schaffhausen slowUp Schaffhausen-Hegau Get on your bike or put your skates on and ride around the cross-border roads.
http://bit.ly/1FnNf5e
14 Jun Bern
Schweizer Frauenlauf The premier national running event for women is a testing ground for participants of all ages.
www.frauenlauf.ch
Photo:© Art Basel
Geneva
WHAT’S ON 13
issue 2 / 2015
21 Jun
26 to 28 Jun
Fête de la Musique A day of concerts of all genres on the Waisenhausplatz.
Albanifest The big street festival in the Old Town attracts more than 100,000 people every year. Get amongst it.
Thun
www.musikfuerallethun.ch
21 Jun Lausanne
Fête de la Musique The "shortest night" music festival with street shows and busking on plazas.
www.fetemusiquelausanne.ch
19 to 20 Jun
RECOMMENDED
Zurich
Pride Festival The colourful annual celebration of equal rights and tolerance is more of a party than a protest!
www.zhpf.ch
23 Jun Solothurn
The Cat Empire concert One of Australia’s biggest ska & jazz bands comes to shake up Solothurn.
www.kofmehl.net
15 and 22 Jun
19 to 21 Jun
Zugerchriesi An age-old tradition where teams race through the Old Town with cherry-picking ladders.
Beethoven @ Bern The Bern symphony orchestra (bso) has developed its own internationally acclaimed Beethoven style.
www.zugerchriesi.ch
www.konzerttheaterbern.ch/bso
17 to 21 Jun
19 to 21 Jun
Béjart Ballet Lausanne (BBL) Beethoven’s "The Ninth Symphony" concert danced by BBL with symphony orchestra, soloists and choirs.
Fête de la Musique Annual music festival organised by the city of Geneva with 500 concerts of all genres!
www.bejart.ch/en
www.fetedelamusique.ch
Photo:© swiss-image.ch/Stephan Engler
Zug
Lausanne
Bern
Geneva
Winterthur
www.albanifest.ch
26 to 28 Jun Biel/Bienne
Braderie Markets and funparks, music and bars. This local street festival has something for everyone.
www.bielerbraderiech
25 to 27 Jun Brienz
The Platzger Cup Discover the traditional Swiss throwing sport of Platzgen at this open-air museum.
www.ballenberg.ch
14 WHAT’S ON
JULY Wake boarding, cliff diving and summer fun 02 to 26 Jul
03 to 05 Jul
Stimmen-Festival Patti Smith, Lionel Richie are amongst the many international stars performing.
Music Festival Promo A variety of talented musicians and acrobats show off their skills over two stages.
www.stimmen.com
www.festivalpromo.ch
02 Jul to 13 Aug
03 to 11 Jul
Festyvétés Free concerts, parties and bars in the heart of the Old Town. Thursdays & Saturdays.
International Fantastic Film Festival (NIFFF) The Swiss event for Fantastic Film, Asian Cinema and Future Images. Definitely different.
Yverdon-les-Bains VD
www.yverdonlesbainsregion.ch
03 Jul Basel
Summerblues 40 hours of free live blues music on seven stages all over Kleinbasel.
www.summerblues.ch
03 to 04 Jul Basel
Zoo night Hang out with Basel Zoo’s animals at night! 50% discount on entry from 5pm.
www.zoobasel.ch/en
03 to 05 Jul Einsiedeln SZ
Highland Games Innerschweiz Put your kilt on! Scottish culture comes to Switzerland. Competitions, concerts, cattle, markets and more.
www.hgis.ch
Le Locle NE
Neuchâtel
www.nifff.ch
04 to 17 Jul Avenches VD
Il Barbiere di Siviglia Prestigious open-air opera performed in the stunning Aventicum Roman arena.
www.avenchesopera.ch
04 Jul Thun
Bluegrass Festival Musicians from all over come to celebrate the festival's 30th anniversary.
www.avcc.ch
04 Jul Zug
Cherry day A day dedicated to cherries. Taste schnapps, cakes, jams or partake in the cherry-stone spitting contest.
www.zug-tourismus.ch
03 to 05 July
CRITICS'CHOICE
Morat/Murten
Wake and Jam This established lakeside festival offers wakeboard shows on the water and concerts from Anastacia and Seven.
www.wakeandjam.ch Sechseläuten, Zurich
07 to 11 Jul
09 Jul
Pod’Ring There’s something for everyone at this cultural celebration in the Old Town.
Athletissima World class track and field athletes meet at the Pontaise Olympic Stadium.
www.podring.ch
www.athletissima.com
07 to 12 Jul
10 to 12 Jul
44th City Festival Exciting city festival with concerts and attractions all over town.
Ruderwelt Luzern Up to 1000 world class rowers take part in the World Rowing Cup finals.
www.festivalcite.ch
www.ruderwelt-luzern.ch
Biel/Bienne
Lausanne
Lausanne
Lucerne
Photo:© wakeandjam
Basel & Lörrach
WHAT’S ON 15
issue 2 / 2015
14 Jul
16 to 18 Jul
Spitzen Leichtathletik Luzern The biggest sporting event of Central Switzerland.
Swing in the Wind Intimate jazz festival set amongst the cobblestone streets of this charming town.
Estavayer-le-Lac
Lucerne
www.spitzenleichtathletik.ch
24 to 25 Jul Ponte Brolla TI
www.swingin.ch
16 to 29 Jul
European Cliff Diving Championship Daring and dangerous, this sport leaves spectators clinging to their piece of rock.
Geneva
www.whdf.com
www.fetesdegeneve.ch
Pre-Fêtes de Genève The English garden plays host to an assortment of concerts, food and entertainment.
30 July to 09 August
RECOMMENDED
Geneva
Fêtes de Genève Geneva goes into party mode with its annual summer celebrations, crowned by spectacular fireworks.
www.fetesdegeneve.ch
18 Jul
25 to 27 Jul
Weissenstein Schwinget This traditional Swiss wrestling event is hosted in the great outdoors with panoramic views.
Gauklerfest Family-friendly event with acrobats, comedians, jugglers, musicians, and more.
www.weissenstein-schwinget.ch
www.gauklerfest-interlaken.ch
24 to 26 Jul
26 Jul to 02 Aug
International Alphorn Festival Concerts, competitions, plus folk and traditional music and dances.
Uhuru Festival of Music and Dance Meaning "freedom" in Swahili – the Uhuru Festival offers a week full of creative courses and concerts.
Weissenstein SO
Photo:© Geneva Tourism
Nendaz VS
www.nendazcordesalpes.ch
helloswitzerland.ch/newsletter
Interlaken
Weissenstein SO
www.uhuru.ch
16 EXPAT ENTREPRENEUR
SAILING IN THE SLOW LANE For Emma Gledhill, sailing offers her students a chance to live life in the slow lane. As an entrepreneur launching a new business, is it possible for her to follow her own advice? INTERVIEW BY EMMA BAUMHOFER
endeavour – I network like mad! But being able to follow my passion is a way for me to live in a “slower” lane. After twenty years working as a translator and interpreter, twelve of them in Switzerland, it was clear that I needed a career change. I sat down and thought, right, what can I do? I’ve been Emma Gledhill on boats since I was about six years old and I’ve acquired the necessary qualifications – why didn’t I start Sail YSL sooner? Sometimes the opportunities that are right in front of you are the best ones. Switzerland has a large sailing culture but the language barrier is significant. You can’t take a practical sailing exam in English in Zurich, for example. We are, to my knowledge, the only sailing school and club focusing on sailing in English in Switzerland. We concentrate on dingy sailing because it doesn’t require a Swiss sailing license, which is crucial for many of our clients who are here for short, 2-3 year assignments. Then we offer theory courses, yachting, and boat sales for those who want more. My goal is to take people from never having sailed to being able to take their own boat out on charter or flotilla.
Sailing gives you a fresh perspective. You can pop out on the local lake after work, but you can also come to the seductive realization that for your two week holiday, you can charter a boat and explore some of the most beautiful parts of the world: Croatia, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Caribbean, the Far East, the possibilities are endless. Acquiring sailing qualifications gives you that freedom for the rest of your life. It’s an excellent activity for families as well and is great for learning teamwork. Actions on the boat must be timed between 2, 3, or 4 people; if you don’t work together, you‘re dead in the water. On the water you have to be adaptable and “When you’re out on a you have to develop sailing boat, there’s just contingency plans. You can pretty much you and Mother Nature. guarantee that things It gives you time to think.” aren’t going to go as planned. Learning how to harness the power of Mother Nature, while respecting that she’s a lot more powerful than you can ever imagine is fascinating. When you’re sitting on a boat sailing, the moment you turn the engine off and it goes quiet, but you’re still moving and making progress in a controlled fashion, it’s sheer magic. And it’s something that humanity has done for millennia. You’re learning a new skill, while continuing an age-old tradition.
”
START SAILING TODAY www.sail-ysl.ch
Photos: © Emma Gledhill
true that launching and growing “ It’s Sail YSL is not necessarily a “slow”
RELOCATION GUIDE 17
issue 2/ 2015
RELOCATING WITH YOUR PET TO ANOTHER COUNTRY A story of a journey and a happy reunion The contract for the new job is signed. A new challenge is awaiting you in another country - in Switzerland. The move itself shouldn’t be too complicated, as the employer usually takes care of most things when the relocation is a job transfer. But what happens with your furry family member?
very important aspect is, of course, the partner you have in the country of origin. We were very happy with your US partner. We would have no hesitation recommending your services and would be happy to provide references. You provide a very valuable service! Many thanks. Gordon”
Leaving your beloved pet behind is definitely NOT an option. This is where the questions and worries start. What are the legal aspects of relocating your pet? Vaccinations, blood tests, documents, transport (are there special flights for animals?)... Who will look after your pet during transit? Will it be safe? As a pet owner you love your animal to the moon and back but are no expert in all these questions. Animal welfare should always be your top goal so when relocating with your pet contacting an expert is always the best solution. We answer all your questions, support you in getting all documents needed and organize the relocation. Our priority is the well-being of your pet during the often long and demanding journey. The first contact is a telephone call. A lot of questions can be answered and your concerns can be limited to a minimum. We explain what is needed for safe transport. We differentiate between veterinary needs (ISO microchip, vaccination, rabies blood test, import permit) and the custom purposes (docked tail, relocation to Switzerland, purchase). Together, we will define the best service for your needs. Once all the paper-work is done we arrange the relocation of your beloved pet door-to-door. Only a pet owner understands the eagerness to see one’s companion again after being apart for so long. The moment your eyes meet, the joy in your heart when your dog runs towards you and you are finally reunited. A silent tear running down your cheek and - we are sure - your furry partner’s cheek as well.
Photos: © ACE Pet Moving Ltd.
This feeling cannot be better explained then by an owner himself: “Hello Pascal - thanks so much! Bosco's doing fine - understandably tired from the journey and adjusting to his new surroundings. But most importantly no ill effects from the journey. I must say it is such a relief to have him here without incident. It was so good to hear from you that he had arrived OK and then to see you walking him when we drove up the street! We have been most impressed with every aspect of your service - from the initial contact when you demonstrated full understanding of our concerns, to your attention to detail and responsiveness throughout the process. One
Relocation is a big change in your and your animal’s life. To start the adventure in a smooth way it is worth engaging an expert to support you in the best possible way.
ABOUT ACE PET MOVING ACE Pet Moving Ltd. is a growing business with a motivated and dedicated team. Our headquarters are at Zurich Airport, and we have a branch at Geneva Airport. Our staff has extensive experience with preparing, organizing and finalizing international animal transport by ground and air. We are informed about the latest laws and conditions. We work according to international rules for transportation of live animals and we have the support of a worldwide network of animal transport specialists. We can offer you a wide range of services – don’t hesitate to contact us.
www.acepetmoving.com
18 CULTURE
LITERARY LEGACY AT THE CENTRE DÜRRENMATT NEUCHÂTEL
THE WRITER Dürrenmatt is perhaps the best known Swiss author and dramatist writing in German. Born in Konolfingen in 1921 in the Emmental region of the canton of Bern, the son of a pastor, he started writing seriously in his 20s. He was a proponent of epic theatre with his plays reflecting the recent experiences of World War II. Always politically active, his work included avant-garde dramas, philosophical crime novels, and macabre satire. Dürrenmatt became internationally famous mainly through his stage plays and the many film adaptations of his detective novels. He also wrote a great number of essays, lectures and autobiographical pieces, all of which constitute a "treasure trove of dramaturgical insights".
Photos: Portrait © Elke Wetzig; © Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel / Pino Musi
Merging history with modernity, one of the most architecturally stunning museums in Switzerland nestles amid lush forest above the Lac de Neuchâtel. Yet, as Caroline Thonger discovers, the eponymous Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel, or CDN, also includes the former home of Switzerland’s best known German-language author Friedrich Dürrenmatt.
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THE ARTIST Dürrenmatt’s art, in which he had indulged at a very young age, remained unknown to the public for some time. His “dramaturgical” works are often reinterpretations of mythological or religious themes. The Dürrenmatt Collection comprises about 1,000 original works of art and several sketchbooks, with his work ranging from large murals to caricatures.
THE CENTRE
HIS HOUSE
Photos: © Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel / Pino Musi
In December 1990, three weeks short of his 70th birthday, Friedrich Dürrenmatt passed away in Neuchâtel. He had lived and worked there for almost 40 years, in the idyllic setting of the Vallon de l'Ermitage, overlooking the town. Following his bequest of his literary works to the nation, the Swiss Literary Archives were created in Bern in 1991. His second wife donated their house and garden to the Confederation, under the proviso that these be integrated into a future Centre bearing the writer's name. The Confederation commissioned the internationally renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta, one of Dürrenmatt's great admirers, for the project.
The CDN is now part of the Swiss National Library. Taking its cue from Dürrenmatt's achievements, the centre promotes both literature and visual arts. Opened in 2000, the building was designed by Mario Botta, whose elegant solution to the difficult cliffside landscape was to create a large, curving exhibition room into the slope under Dürrenmatt’s existing house. Each of the architectural elements echoes the constructions present in all Dürrenmatt’s writings: towers, cavernous spaces and labyrinths. Botta also insisted on preserving the original appearance of both Dürrenmatt’s personal library, as well as his water closet. Dürrenmatt had covered the toilet walls in painted frescos, giving it the nickname of “the Sistine Chapel”!
Centre Dürrenmatt Neuchâtel 74 chemin du Pertuis-du-Sault 2000 Neuchâtel 041 32 720 20 60 Opening Times: Wed-Sun 11:00-17:00
www.bundesmuseen.ch/cdn
20 FEATURED PARTNERS
RELOCATION MADE EASY A network of experts Welcome to the Featured Partners section of the magazine. Hello Switzerland’s Featured Partners provide you with world-class advice and products covering all key relocation topics. Moving to a new country isn't easy! Hello Switzerland is here to help. Since 2008, Hello Switzerland has been simplifying relocation to Switzerland. We offer our readers up-to-date, accurate advice on the topics at the heart of successful relocation. It's advice you can trust - our exclusive partnerships with leading Swiss companies mean we offer you the best relocation guides around - for free. Hello Switzerland’s Featured Partners provide services tailored to the needs of expats and foreign residents. Their services are available in English, French, German, and in some cases further languages.
When it comes to cutting through Switzerland’s many complexities, their expertise is your advantage. Our unique network of partners is your key to a smooth, efficient relocation and a hassle-free settling-in period. This section of the magazine introduces our Featured Partners. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Find answers to all your questions on our website and mobile app. We feature a wide range of expert guides in English to help you succeed in Switzerland. Whether you're still planning your move or you've lived here for a while, there's something for everyone. Welcome to Hello Switzerland! Mike Tomsett Chief Operating Officer Hello Switzerland
mike.tomsett@helloswitzerland.ch
Banking services
Healthcare & medical
Home & furnishing
Tax consulting
Insurance
Relocation
TV, internet & telephone
FEATURED PARTNERS 21
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MEDITERRANEAN LIVING Feel like you’re on vacation – at home It's all so close: the endless blue horizon, the bright beautiful sunny days, the nonchalance, the most beautiful time of the year. With the approaching summer, our desire for garden and terrace living awakens.
We want to feel like we’re on vacation in our own home: watching the sun from our favorite place in the garden, immersing ourselves in exciting books on comfy chairs and couches, sitting with friends on lovely outdoor sofas and seats, and just letting our minds wander. Pfister will take you to the Mediterranean. With wonderful garden furniture that invites you to relax, and with beautiful decorative home accessories, Pfister will conjure up the stylish, lively atmosphere of the South in your garden and on your balcony or terrace. The materials are natural, the colors range from blue to coral sea to shining white and sensual marsala, and the design is simple, elegant and of clear form.
RAT TAN IS BACK THE LUXURY BRAND GLOSTER NEW AT PFISTER New at Pfister is Gloster, the leading international brand in the premium segment. The English company specializes in fine design ranging from classic to modern, and has been producing exclusive garden furniture to the highest standards of weather resistance for over 50 years. The luxurious suites seem like living room furniture and indeed, they offer that level of comfort. The armchairs and recliners impress with their clear design. Refined details, exciting combinations and high craftsmanship characterize Gloster products.
In keeping with the current retro wave, everyone’s favorite natural material for garden furniture is back. Rattan, the name being derived from the Malay word rotan, is a product of the rattan palm. Due to its flexibility and its weather resistance, it is perfect for outdoor furniture and other wicker items. This summer at Pfister you will find a wide variety of elegantly curved loungers, chairs, stools and side tables. A new range of wonderfully colored cushions provide comfort on seats or scattered on deck.
TREND THE WORLD OF COLORS The sensual summer colors that belong to the new home style are: sea blue, coral, bright white, dark marsala, warm terracotta and soft sand tones, fresh sky blue and shining azur.
Photos: © Pfister 2015
TIP - LIVE OUTSIDE Your garden can be just as stylish as your living room: arrange the seating into groups, decorate with colorful cushions, add matching side tables, and perfect the look with rugs.
Pfister is the largest furniture retailer in Switzerland. 20 stores and an online shop offer inspiration and shopping pleasure round the clock. Besides our wide range, it’s the service that sets us apart – advice in your own home, delivery and installation, and much more.
www.pfister.ch
Finally, I get the investment advice I expect. Credit Suisse Invest – The New Investment Advisory Service With our investment advice, you define the destination. And we will accompany you on the journey, supporting you with professional asset management and global expertise. With simple and transparent pricing.
Learn more about our individual investment solutions: credit-suisse.com/invest This notice does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell financial instruments or banking services and does not release the recipient from exercising his/her own judgment. Copyright Š 2015 Credit Suisse Group AG and/or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
FEATURED PARTNERS 23
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PERSONALIZED INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES CREATE ADDED VALUE For a successful financial start in Switzerland One of the factors involved in moving your residence to Switzerland is the relocation of your finances. Decisions regarding your financial investments in particular ought to be carefully considered. Credit Suisse explains why, today, personalized investment advisory services tailored to your needs are more important than ever. Your personal situation and your needs may change over time. It is advisable to structure your assets so that flexible and proactive action can be taken in response to the changes in the circumstances of your life. For instance, instead of leaving all your liquid assets in a savings account, placing a certain amount of them in investments that promise higher returns may be worthwhile in the current low-interest environment. However, the investment universe is vast and difficult to assess in its entirety. Even though the latest financial information is available through numerous channels, it remains highly challenging to interpret its complexity and apply it to your own circumstances. Personalized investment advisory services from a financial services provider with global expertise can help you define an investment strategy that caters to your needs.
of investment ideas, and what degree of portfolio monitoring would you like? Depending on the investment solution, you also have the option of consulting another Credit Suisse investment expert in addition to your personal client advisor, being notified of established investment ideas and receiving information on your portfolio's quality, for instance. This allows you to immediately react to risks and take advantage of investment opportunities. We use regular reports – available both in hard copy and through Online Banking – to keep you up to date on your portfolio's progress.
YOUR OPTIMAL INVESTMENT SOLUTION In order to progressively find the investment solution that is optimal for you, Credit Suisse's investment advisory service involves you from the very start. Whichever investment solution you choose, you will be ideally equipped for your new life in Switzerland thanks to the proficient and personalized advice from Credit Suisse.
TRANSPARENT AND PERFECTLY SUITED TO YOUR NEEDS Your goals, your needs, and your personal situation are the starting point for any investment advisory service. When selecting a suitable advisory model, you want to know the precise services you will receive for a certain price. In order to meet your demands for needs-based, transparent advice, Credit Suisse has developed an innovative advisory model: Credit Suisse Invest. It enables you, the client, to know exactly what advisory services you can expect from us – at an attractive price.
©Credit Suisse
CREDIT SUISSE INVEST – THE NEW INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICE You can choose from our four investment solutions: Credit Suisse Invest Mandate, Expert, Partner, or Compact. The level of advice and interaction you desire is what determines which solution is the right one for you: How actively would you like to be notified
You can find more information on Credit Suisse Invest at
www.credit-suisse.com/invest
Legal Notice: The reader acknowledges that the information provided in this publication is only intended for distribution and use by persons who are residents of Switzerland. In particular, it is not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by or for the offer or solicitation of any products or services directed to, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability, use, offer or solicitation would be contrary to applicable law or regulation or which would subject Credit Suisse to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. Credit Suisse will not treat readers of this publication as its clients by virtue of them accessing it. Readers of this publication should seek the advice of their independent financial advisor prior to taking any investment decision on the basis of any information contained herein and no information herein constitutes general or specific investment, legal, tax or accounting advice of any kind.
www.packimpex.ch/carpediem
« We care for our international
assignees and their families. Partnering with Packimpex ensures a smooth relocation. » Isabelle Pau
Nestlé® Relocation & Transfer Services
Packimpex tailors innovative and sustainable relocation solutions to the needs of international companies and their employees.
Packimpex Ltd. Switzerland: Bern (HQ), Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano, Vevey, Zug and Zurich Germany: Freiburg i.Br. - Phone +41 (0)58 356 14 14, info@packimpex.ch
issue 2/ 2015
FEATURED PARTNERS 25
CONNECTING CULTURES WORLDWIDE Packimpex continues to strengthen its network of services BY EMMA BAUMHOFER
Through its partnership with ICUnet.AG Packimpex now offers tailored intercultural consulting.
Michael W. Buechi, ICUnet.AG intercultural expert, tells us more:
ICUnet.AG is a leading global provider in this field. Their holistic approach covers the entire duration of international assignments, supports assignees with re-integration to their home country, and provides partner career development consulting.
How important is cultural training for assignees when they arrive in a new country?
ICUnet . AG combines intercultural consulting, assessment, qualification, and global mobility, to form a powerful single solution that focuses on the unique needs of our customers. The flexible training process utilises case studies, countr y specific briefing calls, and various intercultural tools, such as the ICUnet.AG smart guide, hotline, and preference tool. Transferees who receive this consulting are better prepared for living and working abroad and their work processes are measurably optimised. This leads to a higher success rate of missions abroad.
With cultural training, assignees can minimize their culture shock and get down to business much quicker. Understanding what hides beneath the surface of a culture is vital for integration.
What is one of the main challenges faced by newcomers to Switzerland? At first the local population might seem closed off because respect for privacy is so important. But once the shell is cracked, newcomers will encounter warmhearted, genuine and generous people.
What advice do you have for someone who has just arrived to Switzerland? Switzerland has four official languages. Even though English is widely spoken, a great tip for integration is showing an effort at learning the local language. This will definitely open doors, both in private and business life.
DESTINATION SPECIFIC CONSULTING Through role play and use of key cultural tools, transferees learn about business etiquette, communication, work styles, and meeting culture, gaining a clear understanding of the hierarchy structure in their destination country.
Partnering with ICUnet.AG enhances Packimpex’s comprehensive one stop shop offer. Packimpex account managers tailor the consulting services to you and your international employees’ needs and a global ICUnet.AG expert delivers the services.
RETURN CONSULTING Smooth transitions home ensure long term employee loyalty and transfer of acquired knowledge. Consulting topics include redefinition of identity, setting expectations, professional life, and applicability of acquired skills. For bookings and further information please contact:
PARTNER CAREER SUPPORT Partner success improves the professional and personal life of the transferee in their destination country and leads to fewer cancellations. Transferring partners are guided through their job application documents and receive consulting on interview strategies. These skills facilitate their success in the international labour market.
Packimpex Ltd. Dhruv Fornerod Business Development Manager +41 58 356 15 04 dhruv.fornerod@packimpex.ch www.packimpex.ch
www.pwc.ch/tls
Does your tax strategy have a passport?
Different countries, different taxes: you need a partner who’s not only thoroughly familiar with local legal conditions, but can also assess the tax-related ramifications of living and doing business internationally. As a leading consultancy partner – worldwide and particularly in Switzerland – PwC will help you come to the right decisions in regard to tax matters. In Neuhausen, New York, and elsewhere. Nicole Bregy, Manager Tax & Legal Services Tel. +41 58 792 40 24, Email: nicole.bregy@ch.pwc.com PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Birchstrasse 160, Postfach, CH-8050 Zürich © 2015 PwC. All rights reserved. “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity.
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THERE ARE MANY ROUTES TO THE RIGHT INSURANCE POLICY Is it better to buy your insurance online or from an insurance advisor? There is no definite answer to this question. It very much depends on what the customer wants and needs. One thing is certain, however: quality is crucial.
Anyone moving to Switzerland will have to get to grips with the issue of insurance, and will be presented with many options. The traditional route is via an insurance advisor, who looks at the customer's individual requirements, gives them comprehensive advice and puts together a tailor-made insurance package. In recent years, however, purchasing insurance via the Internet has become increasingly popular. The customer simply enters a few details, receives a quote in just a few seconds, and can immediately take out the insurance policy online. Both options have their advantages: the Internet offers quick and easy access to insurance, and policies can be taken out 24/7. An insurance advisor provides comprehensive advice and a consultation enables complex insurance issues to be resolved more easily, which is particularly helpful if the customer has lots of different requirements.
HIGH DEGREE OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION The most important thing is that whatever channel the customer buys their insurance through, the service and quality are right. The high numbers of satisfied smile.direct customers show that online insurance broking is in no way inferior to traditional broking. This online insurance service enables insurance policies to be bought quickly and easily via the Internet. Service quality and performance are guaranteed by both channels – there are many routes to protection and security!
CUSTOMER NEEDS AND WANTS ARE THE DECIDING FACTOR
Photo: © Nationale Suisse
When it comes to taking out an insurance policy there is no perfect, fits-all solution. Whether a personal consultation is necessary or the Internet is the best channel for buying insurance is basically down to the customer's individual wishes and needs. For those who don't want advice and for whom an "off the peg" policy is sufficient, the Internet is an attractive option. By contrast, those who need specialist expertise, for example because they need to insure works of art, or those who would like to discuss their options with an insurance expert before making their decision will choose an advisor to conclude their policy.
smile.direct
www.smile-direct.ch Available in French, German and Italian
To speak directly to an advisor, call 00800 6004 6004 For more advice or to find a nearby Nationale Suisse agency, visit:
www.nationalesuisse.ch/en
SUNRISE FREEDOM : SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
e l i b o m e l b i x e The fl plan with no . s m r e t m u minim ange your mobile ch to ee fr re u’ yo , m do With Sunrise Free speaks for itself, r fe of e th as nd A t. an plan whenever you w mething else. so do to f of y da e th s Roger Federer ha se.ch/RF Find out more at sunri
issue 2 / 2015
FEATURED PARTNERS 29
WHEN SWITZERLAND’S BIGGEST SPORTS STAR TALKS TO A PARROT Sunrise and Roger Federer have been in partnership since last December. In their first TV commercial together the telecommunications company shows what sort of things the tennis star gets up to on his day off. And Roger Federer reveals some entirely new talents. Sunrise, Swit zerland's biggest private telecommunications provider, has formed a partnership with Roger Federer. “He is the ideal partner for us,” emphasizes Tobias Händler, Head of Marketing Communications at Sunrise. “In spite of his worldliness, Roger Federer repeatedly stresses his close connection with Switzerland. And thanks to the opportunities offered by modern telecommunications he lets his fans share in his life via social media. Not least for that reason, Roger Federer is the perfect brand ambassador for us at Sunrise.”
“ROGER, ROGER” The collaboration between Sunrise and Roger Federer started in December last year. And since the first Sunrise commercial with Roger appeared on TV and on the Internet, the campaign has been the talk of the town. Even newspapers in the USA and Argentina carried reports on the hilarious scene in which Roger Federer attempts to teach a parrot how to pronounce his name properly.
Photos: © Sunrise
The original scene is part of a longer clip showing what Roger Federer gets up to on his day off. Tobias Händler explains the idea behind it: “We didn’t just want a celebrity brand ambassador who smiles and holds out our product to the camera, because we are convinced that the quality of the Sunrise products speaks for itself. So we had the idea of giving Roger Federer a day off and showing what sort of things he does with the time.” The tennis star spends his day off playing table tennis and football, doing a little housework and riding his mountain bike. And, as already mentioned, giving his parrot a language lesson – with not entirely the desired outcome.
“PROFESSIONAL AND UNCOMPLICATED“ The whole commercial was filmed on a single day in a detached house in the canton of Aargau.
“Working with Roger Federer was a very professional experience,” stresses Tobias Händler. “In spite of all his successes he is totally down-to-earth and straightforward, and he was totally focused as we worked. We were able to shoot all of the scenes in a very short space of time.” In the process the tennis star also revealed that he can handle smaller bats and balls: In one scene Roger Federer hits a table tennis ball against a mirror several times over – while cleaning his teeth. “We had intended to use a double, but then it proved totally unnecessary,” confirms Tobias Händler. “He simply grabbed the bat and after a few attempts we had the perfect take.” Working together was very pleasant and successful in every respect. Roger Federer particularly enjoyed the scenes with the lawnmower tractor. “He almost didn’t want to get off again!”
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO OF ROGER FEDERER’S DAY OFF AT:rf.sunrise.ch/en/home
30 FEATURED PARTNERS
THE HIRSLANDEN PRIVATE HOSPITAL GROUP What should I do in a medical emergency? Constrictive chest pains, a fall down the stairs or a deep cut. Many things can cause a medical emergency. They often happen quickly and unexpectedly. In the flurry of activity that follows, it’s good to know what to do. YOU CAN COUNT ON HIRSL ANDEN The Hirslanden Private Hospital Group emergency centres are equipped with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic infrastructure. Each emergency department has access to a network of highly regarded medical specialists. A treatment team will immediately be assembled to meet the patient’s specific needs. Around the clock, 365 days a year.
HIRSL ANDEN EMERGENCY CENTRES AARAU
CHAM
Klinik Aarau 24-hour emergency centre (incl. heart emergencies)
AndreasKlinik Cham Zug 24-hour emergency centre
LUCERNE BASEL Klinik Birshof 24-hour orthopaedic emergency centre
BERN Klinik Beau-Site 24-hour emergency centre (incl. heart emergencies) Klinik Permanence 24-hour emergency centre Salem-Spital 24-hour emergency centre
GENEVA Clinique La Colline emergency centre (365 days / 07.00 – 23.00)
Klinik St. Anna 24-hour emergency centre (incl. heart emergencies)
EMERGENCY ACTION PL AN 99 Contact your GP
ST GALLEN
99 Find a 24-hour emergency centre
Klinik Stephanshorn 24-hour emergency centre
99 Notify the emergency services in life-threatening situations by calling 144
ZURICH Klinik Hirslanden 24-hour emergency centre (incl. heart emergencies) Klinik Im Park 24-hour heart emergency centre (the heart emergency centre is available to all patients with private or semi private insurance)
ABOUT HIRSL ANDEN Hirslanden operates 16 hospitals located in 11 Swiss cantons. With a total of 2,100 affiliated doctors and in-house physicians, and around 7,800 employees, it is the leading private hospital group as well as the largest medical network in Switzerland.
99 Bring any relevant documentation you may have • Health insurance card • List of medications • Allergy ID card • Blood group ID card • Diabetes ID card
Hirslanden International Seefeldstrasse 214 8008 Zurich +41 44 388 75 75 international@hirslanden.ch
www.hirslanden.com
TCS – the no. 1 Swiss roadside assistance service Around 1.5 million members trust TCS, Switzerland’s biggest mobility club. In addition to first class breakdown and accident recovery support, club members enjoy many other benefits. These include discounts on vehicle checks and assessments at any of the 19 TCS technical centres.
a Become r e b m T C S me t s for ju ! CHF 87.–
24 hour breakdown recovery and emergency assistance
Free choice of garage on pick-up
Leading technical skills
Help even for self-caused breakdowns
In 8 of 10 call-outs the drivers can continue their journey
Personalised mobility advice
Become a TCS member: www.helloswitzerland.ch/tcs
TCS'S SPRING TIPS FOR YOUR CAR The cold season is over and the day-tripping season has begun. These simple TCS tips help make sure your car is ready for summer once winter is over.
1. 2.
THOROUGH CAR WASH Remove salt and dirt with a thorough car wash, including the undercarriage.
STONE DAMAGE AND CHIPPING To protect from rust damage, treat any damage with a paint pen.
3. 4.
WINDOWS Clean the windows inside and out, and make sure the wiper blades are working.
CHECK TYRES AND LIGHTING Check the vehicle lighting and change to summer tyres with at least 3 mm of tread.
5.
DECLUTTER THE TRUNK Remove winter accessories like snow chains and shovels from the trunk. This reduces weight and saves fuel.
FOR MORE ADVICE ON DRIVING IN SWITZERLAND: www.helloswitzerland.ch/tcs
Fast forward in small groups. inlingua-basel.ch
The challenging language school in Basel. We also teach on location. Dufourstrasse 50 • 061 278 99 33
34 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND
Trift Bridge
LAND OF STORYBOOK BRIDGES Whether you are a hiking aficionado or simply a leisurely walker who revels in the scenic outdoors, Swiss suspension bridges offer an unforgettable experience. Here is an overview of seven spellbinding and occasionally vertigo-inducing itineraries. BY MARINA MOELLER
costs, traversing the Peak Walk, as with all suspension bridges in Switzerland, is free. Another magical destination is the enticing Trift Bridge, completed in 2004 in canton Bern. The mind-blowing balancing stroll along one of Switzerland’s longest suspension bridges, overlooking the majestic Trift glacier and the Trift lake, should be on everyone’s bucket list! It takes a nerve-wracking ride on an aerial cable car and then a mesmerizing 2 hours uphill hike to reach this 170m long wonder of human engineering, but it’s worth it. The Trift cable car is a 30 minute car or bus trip from Meiringen in the Bernese Oberland. A smaller suspension bridge also in the Bern region is Handeck. The bridge leads to the steepest funicular in Europe, the Gelmer
Photo: © Marina Moeller
Peak Walk, the Swiss Alps’ newest hanging bridge and the world’s first suspension bridge to connect two mountain peaks, was inaugurated in 2014. The 100-meter long platform connects Glacier 3000 with Scex Rouge in canton Vaud. At almost 3,000 meters elevation, the brave souls crossing the walkway are rewarded with celestial views of the Alps, taking in the iconic Matterhorn, Mont Blanc and Jungfrau, among 24 other peaks. You can access the bridge from the View Point station at the top of the Glacier 3000 cable car, situated above the mountain resorts of Les Diablerets and Gstaad. The Peak Walk is open rain or shine as it was especially designed to survive extreme weather conditions such as heavy snow and 200km/hr alpine winds. Even if you don’t brave the impressive structure, the views from the entrance are still spectacular. In spite of the multimillion-franc construction
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funicular, which was originally built to transport building materials but is now open to all nature lovers. It whisks you off 1,860 meters above sea level to enjoy a scenic hike around the turquoise mountain lake of Gelmer. While rollercoasting on Gelmer funicular is not for the faint-hearted, the Handeck Bridge is one of the easiest and lowest suspension bridges in Switzerland, so even an acrophobic can traverse it with ease! It is reachable in 35 minutes by car or bus from Meiringen.
Photos: Titlis Bridge © swiss-image.ch / Beat Mueller; Raiffeisen Sky Walk © Marina Moeller
At an altitude of 3,041 meters above sea level and 500 meters off the ground, the Titlis Cliff Walk above Engelberg in canton Obwalden is Europe’s highest suspension bridge. The Titlis Cliff Walk was built in 2013 along a section of Mount Titlis to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of a cableway which joined the towns of Engelberg and Gerschnialp. The journey to that narrow rope construction from the Titlis mountain station, through a long underground tunnel and an ice palace, is an exciting adventure in its own right - but nothing can beat the
otherworldly views and bragging selfies from the Titlis Cliff Walk itself. While Engleberg claims the highest suspension bridge on the continent, the Sattel-Hochstuckli area in canton Schwyz boasts the longest. The Raiffeisen Skywalk, measuring 374 meters, is Europe’s longest hanging treat. The entrance to the bridge is located near Stuckli Rondo gondola station in Mostelberg and the walk offers fantastic views over the pre-Alpine landscape of the Schwyz valleys and nearby Ägerital lake. Let’s move south-east to the small village of Saillon in canton Valais. The Passerelle à Farinet is a local pedestrian suspension bridge that spans the Salentze gorge above the river. The nearby Vigne à Farinet is the smallest registered vineyard on Earth (1,67 m2) and currently belongs to the Dalai Lama. The vineyard is made of only three vines and each year famous personalities work the vineyard. The harvest is later mixed with the best wine from the region to produce
Titlis Bridge
HIKES
2015 DISCOVER SWITZERLAND OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Raiffeisen Sky Walk
ELISABETH SCHENKER certified hiking guide
lay_greentrail_inserat_83x134_1a.indd 1
www.greentrail.ch
06.03.15 10:51
36 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND
one thousand bottles which are sold for a charitable cause. Another thrills-filled crossing in canton Valais is the Belalp-Riederalp Bridge. Accessible only in the summer, the 124-meter long suspension walkway crosses the Massa gorge in the middle of a five-hour postcard-perfect hike between Belalp and Riederalp. Belalp is accessible by cable car from Brig. The hiking path offers tantalizing views of the 23km-long awe-inspiring Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in the Alps.
Are you ready to walk through the air and experience Heidi-like lightness of being? Then pick your suspension bridge or two to conquer!
FOR LINKS TO ALL THE DESTINATIONS ABOVE AND MORE, VISIT www.helloswitzerland.ch/summer
Discover the heart of Switzerland on amazing short trips Check out our new English SUMMER MAGAZINE 2015 On our website: www.schwyz-tourismus.ch/mag Or just order by phone or e-mail and receive your free leisure guide
Schwyz Tourismus Zeughaustrasse 10 CH-6430 Schwyz
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Tel. +41 (0)41 855 59 50 info@schwyz-tourismus.ch www.schwyz-tourismus.ch
16.03.15 14:22
Photo: Belalp -Riedereralp Bridge © swiss-image.ch / Christian Perrret
Belalp-Riedereralp Bridge
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HIKING WITH KIDS IN SWITZERLAND
Family-friendly trails Discover Geneva’s Topfrom 10 the excellent blog moms:tots:zürich BY TANYA DEANS
Hooray for Switzerland for making hiking so easy. The trails are well-marked and well-maintained. Cable cars swoop you to the top, where you get maximum views for the least effort. Mountains huts provide hearty meals, so you can pack lighter. Picnic areas are equipped with grills, wood and often fire tools. Family-friendly trails often provide groomed paths suitable for strollers and intermittent play areas as motivation for little walkers. Even with all these conveniences, hiking with kids can be tricky. Here are a few tips to help smooth the way. Stoos
First, start early, start small, but go often. Hiking is a habit you are building. Provide incentives and bring surprise treats as rewards for good hiking. Lollipops are effective but reading aloud from a favorite book after every 10 minutes was also a surprise hit. Involve your kids in the planning, selecting your destination, consulting the trail maps, planning lunch. Go with friends - my slow walkers suddenly become trail runners when a friend is around. Lastly, always bring extra clothes. Someone from our crew is always toppling into a stream or mud bog.
BRUNNI TICKLE TRAIL This short barefoot path around a little pond in the alps, surrounded by towering mountains peaks, is a perennial favorite of ours. To get there, you can hike the Globi Treasure Trail, searching for 11 hidden treasure chests with clues and a prize at the end if you solve the puzzle. There are many other attractions, including an alpine slide, large playground, and water play feature.
STOOS PANORAMAWEG This is my new favorite place to take visitors. The views are spectacular but it’s not crowded and is relatively inexpensive, almost half the price of the nearby famous peaks. The strollerfriendly panorama loop at the top is lovely, but if you fancy a longer challenge, hike back down the mountain, stopping at a little quiz trail for kids near the end.
ENGSTLIGENALP The cable car gives you a fantastic aerial view of large waterfall on your way up to the beautiful and strangely flat alpine valley encircled with mountain peaks. Hike down a bit to see the waterfall up close and personal. Then go back up to stroll the groomed “accessibility” trail that loops around the valley, passing through the Mammut Boulder Parkour course, with marked freeclimbing routes, some easy enough for kids. Brunni Tickle Trail
Photos: © Tanya Deans
Now for some inspiration. Here are a few of our favorite hikes, ones that we’ve done multiples times and where we take visitors.
MATTERHORN GORNERGRAT If you only do one hike, this is the one. The area is immensely popular. But once you get on the trail, you’ll escape the crowds but still enjoy amazing views of the Matterhorn, as well as the nearby glaciers and the surrounding mountains and valleys. It’s mostly downhill, which makes it much easier for kids.
EXHAUSTIVE DETAILS FOR THESE HIKES AND MORE ARE AVAIL ABLE ON TANYA’S BLOG, MOMS:TOTS:ZÜRICH www.momstotszurich.blogspot.ch Happy hiking!
38 DISCOVER SWITZERL AND
LAKE LUCERNE REGION THE BEST PLACE TO SEND YOUR VISITORS HIKING WHEN YOU HAVE TO WORK! • Your out-of-town visitors will get Switzerland 101 when they go on one of our small group hike or bike tours. • When your visitors return to your home, they will have heard how Switzerland was formed, founded and works today. • Plus, they will enjoy awesome scenery, an easy workout and get to meet Swiss locals. • You get the kudos for the ECHO Trails referral and their enjoyment. • Lucerne is within easy reach from most Swiss cities, especially from Basel, Zürich, Bern, or Zug. Tour start and end times are designed to match all train connections. • Meeting point is the arch in front of Lucerne’s train station. CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE AND TO BOOK FULL OR HALF-DAY TOURS
Guided day hike and bike tours led by native English speakers from Lucerne.
CALL US: +41 79 917 68 73 info@echo-trails.com www.echo-trails.com
YOUR INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE LAKE LUCERNE’S REGIONS Celebrating 200 years of tourism hospitality BY RENÉ WELTI, ECHO TRAILS & CO-ORGANISER GÄSTIVAL
Do you want to mingle with informative, friendly local Swiss people while you enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Swiss Alps? Then visit the floating water lily on Lake Lucerne!
As part of the celebrations, the Waldstätterweg hiking trail around Lake Lucerne will be extended, and the Tell Pass (the regional tourist card) will include extra benefits. Don’t miss it!
2015 is the Year of Hospitality in Central Switzerland. To celebrate 200 years of tourism in the region, cantons Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden and Nidwalden will present the Gästival (“Guestival”), providing excitement and fun for locals and visitors alike.
Besides offering English guided tours with Echo Trails, author René Welti will welcome guests as a "Friendly Host" on the Seerose.
By day, the meaning of hospitality - happiness, curiosity, passion and warmth - will be celebrated through artistic performances and fine food. Historic figures will tell entertaining stories from their time. In the evenings, the water-lily will be used as a stage.
Lucerne: 29 May - 21 June Stansstad: 25 June - 12 July Alpnachstad: 6 July – 23 Aug. Flüelen: 27 Aug. - 13 Sept. Vitznau: 17 Sept. – 4 Oct. Buy tickets for the water-lily:
www.gaestival.ch
Photo: © Gästival
GIANT WATER-LILY The centre-piece is a giant floating water-lily, known as a “Seerose” in German. This platform, 48m wide and 16m tall, will drop anchor at five Lake Lucerne towns. Local “Friendly Hosts” will be on board to share information and local history.
CAREER 39
issue 2/ 2015
HOW TO SURVIVE...
BEING FIRED! Much to her chagrin, Basel-based Sonya Kar found that Switzerland's once secure job market can no longer be taken for granted. Here she takes a worry look at surviving the shock of sudden unemployment.
Photo: © Thomas Leuthard / Thomas.Leuthard.Photography
Right, you’ve been fired. Call it what you like: Restructuring, redundancy, garden leave, moving on; the long and short of it is that you were asked (civilly, I hope), to leave the company. You – that vital spoke in the corporate wheel – have gone, while the wheel grinds on unrelentingly without a stutter. Perhaps you were asked to hand over to a successor; perhaps an apéro was organised and weepy speeches given. More likely not.
the eccentricities of your boss and the pleasures of your latest ski holiday. They’re gone. Disappeared. MIA.
As the writer Stephen Fry once said, if you are a halfway decent human being you’ve probably been sacked from something in your time – school, sports team, political party…something. There's no use denying the fact, we all feel a little undervalued and to be told officially confirms our gut feeling. It is a rare experience In Basel, we live in the city of the corporate, and, very often, to be proved right on anything and it does wonders for the amour-propre, even when, projects named ‘Lean’ or ‘Efficient’ reflect the need for sizing down in a paradoxically, what has been “You start to re-evaluate tough economic environment. “Don’t proved is our suspicion that what you should have done: take it personally”, offers your soon-toeveryone considers us be-ex-boss. “Make it a clean break and Networked more, kept your head down superfluous to their needs. move on,” advises your outplacement After that, we have other in office politics etc.” consultant, as though it’s a relationship issues to contend with. rebound. Time. The most precious commodity. You cringe. How will you tell your nearest and dearest? If you Suddenly, we have plenty of it. It can be delightful – being able were one of the high achievers in your family, you will struggle to sleep till 8am, actually eating breakfast for the first time in to explain how you have fallen flat on your face. They might half a decade, time to use that gym membership on which you've be supportive and say you needed a break, and will find bigger forked out for years. It’s nice not to be bogged down with calls, and better things. Or they might imply in many different ways, no more urgent emails, or team-building exercises, or sipping that they had told you so. Friends might seem embarrassed. yucky coffee from the office machine at 8pm instead of dinner. And what about your colleagues? Those people you travelled You can really inhabit your own living room. You will aggressively with, spent long hours with in corporate meetings, discussed refute any claims your partner makes that you are sinking into
40 CAREER
Rediscovery. It’s the time to re-evaluate who you are and set new goals. Your new friends are those you met at the outplacement job seekers course who you couldn’t believe were ‘let go’ by their companies. You start to re-evaluate what you should have, or could have, done: Bills. Money will be the next commodity you think of. Networked more, taken those lunch breaks, kept your head down in office politics etc. But now you can find Despite having six months of salary, a “You will aggressively refute your inner writer, your latent entrepreneur, severance lump sum and hopefully claims you are sinking into the budding designer. You will finally take testimonials that should sort the next job, the German classes that came with your panic will overwhelm at some point. depression. So what if you’re joining package. You will trek to be with nature in the beautiful country you've Switzerland is an expensive country, and watching Breaking Bad even though Basel is not Zurich or Geneva, inhabited, but have never seen. You will find again at noon in your PJs?” out who your neighbours are and what time still a light lunch can set you back 30 francs the post arrives. (Kohlman’s), a double expresso CHF 9 (Tinguely Musuem) and a much needed day-hike to the mountains CHF 71, even if you still have a valid half-fare card that luckily your Finally, you will survive. You will learn humility and humour. company paid for. You realise with horror that your mobile phone You will learn things you had lost perspective of during those busy bills are astronomical and the tariffs from the few that rule the days at work: To value your job, any job. Paying the bills will no Swiss mobile market are staggering. Was Basel always this longer be too mundane a life goal. You will soon know that you expensive? Well, with time on hand, you can now foray into Lörrach can definitely spend too much time with your family. You will fail or Freiburg or Colmar to shop for groceries and clothes. It’s a high to meet your own goals. And though you’re unlikely to say it aloud that one can’t deny, filling in those green customs to reimburse in the next job, you will tell yourself, ‘It’s alright to err. That’s how approximately 17% of the Euros as you re-enter the country. The I learn. This might happen again, and, if it does, I will survive...and 30 percent markdown in Lörrach will, at least, leave you smug. perhaps even thrive.” depression. So what if you are watching re-runs of Prison Break or Breaking Bad at 12 in the in your PJs? You've worked hard for years, been responsible, taken all your holidays with guilt. Shouldn’t everyone be delighted you are finally around?
SIS Swiss International School
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Hello Switzerland 1955x1345.indd 1
15.08.2013 13:19:09
CAREER 41
issue 2/ 2015
WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST IN YOURSELF? “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever, “ said Mahatma Gandhi, who may well have appreciated the ethos behind further learning in Executive MBA programmes. Katherine Ortiz & Dan-Thi Nguyen discuss why Switzerland is in a key position to benefit eMBA learners from all over the world. It’s said that education is the pillar in our intellectual development. Yet, after a certain stage in our life, we tend to neglect education because we don’t have the time or energy. Thankfully educational institutions understand these challenges and have developed programmes to complement our education while respecting our family and work commitments. A typical example is the Executive MBA (eMBA) programme. An eMBA is a part-time master’s degree in Business Administration. The common-core syllabus is oriented towards core business concepts such as marketing, finance, and law, and may be complemented by elective courses. Designed for ambitious professionals who already have several years of solid working experience, the eMBA aims to give participants the knowledge and tools to reassess their career and strongly enhance their skills and credentials. There are many good reasons to study for an eMBA and even more reasons to do so in Switzerland.
TO ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Photo: © Executive MBA HEC Lausanne 2013 / Félix Imhof
An eMBA teaches you new things, but most importantly you gain a holistic view of all business activities. It lets you see the bigger picture so you can operate more efficiently and better assess your organisation’s strategic issues. Being recognized worldwide as a top provider of training, Switzerland offers a high level of education that can certainly improve both your professional and personal skills.
of many international companies. This diversity has a direct impact on eMBA classes and reinforces the heterogeneity of participants with whom you study. Switzerland is without any doubt the best location to follow an eMBA. Located in the centre of Europe, the country is interconnected with the world. Finally, a very wide choice of programmes in terms of curriculum and specialisation are offered by both public institutions and private business schools. Finding the right programme for your profile and expectations is easy. So what are you waiting for?
TO BOOST YOUR CAREER Once equipped with an eMBA you can take on more responsibility and grow to new heights. Additionally, MBA holders in Switzerland benefit from the second-highest MBA graduate salaries in the world (according to the QS TopMBA Jobs & Salary Trends Report 2013/14).
VISIT THE EXECUTIVE MBA COUNCIL, GLOBAL VOICE OF THE EMBA INDUSTRY: www.executivemba.org/index.html CONTACT THE AUTHORS:
TO BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS An eMBA is an excellent way to network with participants from different backgrounds, nationalities and industries. It also helps you to think outside the box and find new opportunities. Switzerland is an important hub in various industries such as technology, healthcare and finance. And it attracts headquarters
Katherine Ortiz & Dan-Thi Nguyen Executive MBA HEC Lausanne Marketing & Communication Department
executivemba@unil.ch www.unil.ch
42 CONTACT US PUBLISHER
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LEARNING IS FUN – Painting and Drawing in English (ZG) – Acrylic Painting in English (ZG) – Photography Basics in English (ZG) – German for Foreigners – Spanish – Chinese Travel Express – Pilates in English (ZG) … and many more courses in Lucerne, Zug and Sursee.
041 418 66 66 – klubschule.ch
ENTERTAINMENT 43
issue 2/ 2015
TAKING CENTRE STAGE: ENGLISH LIVE SHOWS
Photo: Above the Crowd © Eric Ward (a4gpa) on Flickr, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ Photos: Background © dollarphotoclub / aerogondo; © International Comedy Club / Julie Collins; © Simply Theatre / www.fringephoto.com; © Semi-Circle / Semi-Circle
In side-street theatres, cellar cafes, and shared performance spaces all around Switzerland, exists a thriving English language performance culture. While theatre groups have provided a community space for expats for decades, now, as Hello Switzerland discovers, a new generation of Anglophone performers is giving the tradition a fresh new perspective. BY EMMA BAUMHOFER Semi-Circle
ACROSS THE COUNTRY
REGIONS
INTERNATIONAL COMEDY CLUB
SEMI-CIRCLE
Since 2006 Londoner Guy Stevens has brought the household names of English and American stand-up comedy straight from their TV shows to eager Swiss audiences. Luminaries such as Russell Brand, Eddie Izzard and Rich Hall (writer of the Letterman show) have all appeared in the International Comedy Clubs in Basel, Geneva, Lausanne and Zurich. Two different show nights per month in each city.
Semi-Circle is established in Basel with a plethora of theatre-related activities. Founded in 1985, the amateur drama group stage diverse performances such as Tim Firth’s “Calendar Girls”, Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”, and Jonathan Larson’s “Rent”. The scale of these productions varies from year to year, giving Semi-Circle the chance to perform in an eclectic range of Basel theatres. Biannual theatre productions; one full-length play and one bill of one-act plays.
BASEL
internationalcomedy.club
www.semi-circle.ch UPSTART ENTERTAINMENT / SHAKESPEARE BASEL Basel theatre lovers should bookmark Upstart Entertainment. Their productions are somewhat less regular than other theatre groups but they have an excellent reputation. Keep an eye out for their biannual Shakespeare production in 2016, which happens to cheerily coincide with the 500th anniversary of the playwright’s death. Simply Theatre
upstart-entertainment.ch and shakespeare-basel.ch/en BASEL ENGLISH PANTOMIME GROUP
International Comedy Club
SIMPLY THEATRE Simply Theatre’s productions in Geneva and Zurich sell more than 15,000 tickets each year. Their student-acted academy shows, cabarets and children’s shows are professionally produced and often straight from London’s West End. Students gain life skills like confidence with public speaking, and get to take part in a spectacular live show
www.simplytheatre.com
Nostalgic for a British Christmas? Or just in the mood to be bawdy? Then there’s the Basel English Pantomime Group. Non-Brits may need to adjust to the gender-bending characters and unusual plot twists. 2014 saw the group’s 20th pantomime in Basel, so you could say they know what they’re doing. Tickets often sell out early for this lively holiday production.
www.baselpanto.org ALSO VISIT IN BASEL Basel’s Gilbert & Sullivan Society
The Gay Beggars Drama Society
www.savoyards.ch
www.gaybeggars.ch
issue 1/ 2015 44 ENTERTAINMENT
RUBRIKTITEL 44
BERN UPSTAGE Upstage is another solid member of Switzerland’s wellestablished amateur English theatre culture, staging their first production in 1982 and going strong ever since (even with some of the founding members!). Their member-directed spring and autumn productions come from a range of genres and are an excellent example of Bern’s strong grassroots cultural presence. Anyone can join.
www.upstage.ch THE CARETAKERS
Village Players
Upstage
The Caretakers may well be the new wave of Bern English theatre. Their academic and primarily (but not exclusively) young audience and actors differentiates them from the traditional expat crowd of Upstage and shows are a great meeting point for newcomers to the city. The group supports local playwrights and their plays are often written by group members, giving their productions originality and flair.
www.thecaretakers.ch
L AUSANNE THE VILL AGE PL AYERS The Village Players are more than a theatre group, they’re a social club. Members gather regularly for fun “theatre activities” like poetry and play readings, song and dance, improvisation, and even karaoke. The Village Players encourage all to join in on the fun, both onstage and off. They say that even the most timid of volunteers often surprise themselves by jumping onstage in the end! Two theatrical productions a year in venues around Lausanne.
GENEVA GAOS GENEVA AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIET Y With its whopping 450 members, the Geneva Amateur Operatic Society is the largest English-speaking theatrical society in Switzerland (and perhaps even Europe) performing annually since 1971. They’re a strong community who have a lot of fun. Whether you’d like to act, dance, sing or assist behind the curtain, they always welcome new members! Profits earned from GAOS productions are donated to charity.
www.gaos.ch GEDS GENEVA ENGLISH DRAMA SOCIET Y Apparently Anglophone expats have been clamouring for English theatre for generations. The Geneva English Drama Society was officially founded in 1933, but was active well before. Today its play readings, workshops and social events are all massively popular attracting up to as many as 50-100 attendees at each reading. GED actors are all levels, from experienced to aspiring, and their play selection is as diverse as the cast. Three to four annual productions.
www.geds.ch
Geneva Amateur Operatic Society
Photos: Alice Poster © Upstage / Naomi L Koffman; © GAOS / Alydia Seidell; © The Village Players /Julian James Auzan
www.villageplayers.ch
ENTERTAINMENT RUBRIKTITEL 45
issue 2/ 2015 1/ 2015
TICINO
Lucerne World Theatre Company
ACT NOW Act Now is the brainchild of American expat Gillian Eame who uses her extensive training in the performing arts as a creative tool for teaching English, as well as a way to unlock individual expression and especially for newcomers to Ticino, to discover new cultures. Her workshops are geared towards high school age students, but others are welcome. Workshops are offered on acting, musical theatre, and movement and mask.
www.act-now.ch/en
LUCERNE LUCERNE WORLD THEATRE COMPANY
COMPAGNIA FINZI PASCA Compagnia Finzi Pasca presents unique, spectacular productions around the globe and have also been a part of three Olympic ceremonies. Their one-of-a-kind fantasy worlds combine theatre, acrobatics, dancing and music and in Switzerland you can enjoy them in English, French, German or Italian. Yet, depending on the production, their shows focus more on impressive visuals than script.
Act Now
Act Now
The Lucerne World Theatre Company was founded in 2011 and in 3 years had won the award for best stage production at the Festival of English Amateur Theatre in Luxembourg! They provide a platform for amateur and professional actors to come together at workshops, performances and play readings. Their next production will be an original musical “Pizza Paradiso” performed at the Gästival in summer 2015. Join their weekly meetings for some theatre fun.
lucerneworldtheatrecompany.wordpress.com
ZUG ENGLISH STAND-UP COMEDY AT THE THEATER CASINO ZUG
Photos: Background © LWTC / Chris Gsack; © Act Now / Kim Nelson / TASIS; © Zurich Comedy Club / Tiina Palojärvi
finzipasca.com
The last Tuesday of every month is full of laughs in Zug’s Theater Casino. That’s when they host English Stand-up Comedy, which delivers British comedy club style shows. Two comedians per show are flown in for one night only. The restaurant serves burgers, fish & chips, pizzas, tarte flambés and of course cold pints. Your Tuesday nights are forever sorted!
www.theatercasino.ch/en/comedy
Zurich Comedy Club Zurich Comedy Club
THE ENGLISH THEATRE GROUP OF ZUG
ZURICH ZURICH COMEDY CLUB The Zurich Comedy Club presents more than just comedies. They’ve produced at least two major stage productions a year for over 60 years, covering many genres. They also support charities with a portion of their profits. Their passionate, supportive community welcomes all ages, interests and backgrounds, and offers a space to escape from everyday life. Drop by for a play reading and join in on the fun.
www.zcc.ch
The one hundred or so members of the English Theatre Group of Zug bring acting, singing, and dancing to the stage. They also rely on the abilities of the behind the scenes crew for costumes, makeup, lighting and props. In short, there is a job for all talents and interests! Subscribing to their newsletter will keep you in the know. They perform one major production for the public a year.
www.etgz.ch The Hello Switzerland events calendar lists upcoming shows around the country.
www.helloswitzerland.ch
46 THE L AST WORD
MEET SULINI Bridging culture and language
BY EMMA BAUMHOFER
Sulini & Aisha Sarugaser Hug
You commute from Bern to Geneva to work at the UN. How do you do it?
You have a two-year-old daughter, which languages do you speak with her?
The efficient, comfortable Swiss rail network makes it all possible. You make a promise to your employer to report to work at a certain hour and a promise to your family to be home for dinner, and Switzerland allows this. Being able to work in international human rights makes the commute worthwhile.
I only speak English to her, and her dad speaks Swiss-German. She gets Bärndütsch all day at day care and French on Fridays with her grandparents. You should hear Aisha sing Jingle Bells with her little Bernese accent, “…jingle all the vay!”
So she has a lot coming at her right now! The cultural and linguistic diversity is a big plus. Also, it’s transitory and many people are new, so it’s easier to strike up friendships. I’m a nomad myself – I’m a child of expatriates, I’ve lived, studied, and worked all over the world, and I’m Swaziland to Canada to married to a Swiss! There are many Switzerland, with many people with the same story in Geneva, making its international culture highly stops in between. addictive.
Geneva seems like a perfect fit. Why do you live in Bern?
UR SHARE YO STORY ke to be
if you'd li Get in touch this page. featured on itzerland.ch info@hellosw
Practical reasons such as my husband Sebastien’s work, and his family close by. But also because we love hiking and enjoy being close to the Bernese Oberland. Our lifestyle is more nature-focused and Swiss, rather than purely international. I want us to discover and take advantage of everything Switzerland has to offer. With this set-up, we get the best of both worlds.
Kids are sponges! It’s important for Aisha to have strong skills in several languages - she needs to communicate with my family in English and Sebastien’s in French and German. Right now she understands what is said to her in all of these languages, although mostly responds in Swiss German.
As a native English speaker, what is it like having your little girl speak to you in Swiss German? I have a double element of surprise, because, hey, our little girl is starting to converse with us, and because she’s speaking with intonations and in a language that is exotic to me! I grew up in a unilingual household and made a real effort to learn French and Spanish later on. They opened up whole cultural worlds to me. Now my child is coming home with this Bernese viewpoint. I find this amusing but I’m receptive to it because I know her identity is a cultural mosaic, just like mine.
Photo provided by Sulini Hug
Besides work, what draws you to Geneva?
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