Looking for things to do in Switzerland? Try these great ideas for events, exhibitions and places to see around the country—or check out the community events in our classifieds:
Yianni brings some numeric humour to Montreux Wednesday, 5 December, 2012The Montreux Comedy Festival kicks off on Thursday, December 6 and one of the acts coming to town is Australian comedian Yianni. WRS’s Pete Forster speaks to him about his show, his love of numbers and the unusual experience of being diagnosed with mild autism:
Bollywood flicks feature at WIPO's Indian film festival Monday, 3 December, 2012The Festival of Indian Film in Geneva starts Tuesday. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) hosts this free event and films are either in English or have English subtitles. One major feature will be playing each evening and Wednesday’s pick is Barfi!. Directed by Anarug Basu, the film is India’s selection for best foreign film at the Academy Awards and is the third highest grossing Bollywood flick ever. WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to the director:
Animal Collective brings their experimental sound to Switzerland Friday, 16 November, 2012Next week, the jungle is heading to Switzerland. Experimental rock group Animal Collective is playing at Xtra in Zurich (November 20) and Les Docks in Lausanne the night after. The group has been through a lot of different musical areas, and WRS’s Jo Fahy asks Josh, known as “Deakin”, about where the group stands now:
The Weekender: Pop and classical music across the land Friday, 16 November, 2012Celeste Neill and WRS’s Dave Goodman bring you up to date on what’s happening this weekend across Switzerland, including classical music. Plus they look ahead to Christmas markets:
Tangling with a new side of Jean Tinguely Thursday, 15 November, 2012Since its opening in Basel in 1996, the Tinguely Museum has acquired more and more works by famous Swiss contemporary artist. With it’s latest exhibition, called “Tinguely@Tinguely,” Jean Tinguely’s noisy, mechanical machines are still on display, but there is also a focus on his wilder side. Tinguely was also a radical and influential artist in the 1960s, orchestrating outrageous performances with his wife and other seminal conspirators. Arts correspondent Michèle Laird meets up with Roland Wetzel, director of the museum, amongst the noisy machines and children:
International talent come to Geneva to tickle the ivories Friday, 2 November, 2012The Geneva International Music Competition features artists from around the world competing for 20,000 francs and is one of the oldest and most prestigious classical music competitions in Europe. This year, it is all about the piano. But it is more than just a competition. It features concerts and conferences and a master class. WRS’s Alex Helmick finds out more from Didier Schnorhk, the Secretary General of the Geneva International Music Competition:
The Weekender: Dancing tango and celebrating screens Friday, 2 November, 2012Movies, programs or video games—whether viewed in movie theaters or on the web—are celebrated at Tous Ecrans or the All Screens Festival this weekend in Geneva. If you’d rather get dancing, there’s a tango festival happening across the country. Plus, two venues where you can take a look at second hand goods. WRS’s Dave Goodman and Celeste Neill discuss what to do this weekend and beyond:
Celebrating nature with the whole family in Morges Friday, 26 October, 2012The 10th annual Salamander Festival in Morges features more than just spotted amphibians. It also includes a number of science-related activities, from interactive experiments to concerts to arts and crafts, concerning all walks of nature. WRS’s Alex Helmick finds out more from Zoé Dumas:
The Weekender: Food fun for everyone in Bulle Friday, 26 October, 2012Food fans should head out to Bulle this weekend for the largest national celebration solely devoted to local Swiss delicacies, the Goûts et Terroirs food fair, while jazz lovers may want to swing by Zurich to check out the jazznojazz festival. WRS’s Dave Goodman and Celeste Neill offer their essential selection of top events happening around the country:
Checking out the chocolate fair in Geneva Thursday, 25 October, 2012On October 27 and 28, the second annual International Chocolatiers and Chocolate Fair will be held in Geneva. The chocolate show will be even bigger and better than last year. Artisanal chocolate makers will be giving samples and selling their wares and there will be conferences, demonstrations, kid’s workshops and much, much more. Food Scout Amy Eber has the details:
The Weekender: Anyone for cheese this weekend? Friday, 19 October, 2012This weekend brings you plenty to see and do, including Mummenschanz in Geneva and the Swiss Indoors Basel featuring the fabulous Roger Federer. In Basel there is a Samba festival and Bern hosts a cheese festival. WRS’s Pete Forster and Celeste Neill have more on weekend events and beyond:
Children find their inner athlete at Olympic Week Monday, 15 October, 2012Though London 2012 is over, the Olympics continue to touch the hearts and minds of young hopefuls through an event that introduces a variety of sports. Children between the ages of nine and 15 years old are invited to take part and try some of the many sports at Olympic Week, taught by top athletes, until Thursday, October 18 in Lausanne. WRS’s Alex Helmick gets more details from Stéphane Meylan, the event manager for the Olympic Museum in Lausanne:
Arts CH: A birthday celebration for Le Corbusier Tuesday, 9 October, 2012He is a mythical figure of modern architecture whose portrait is universally recognized, with his hallmark black-rimmed glasses and signature bow tie. He is also La Chaux-de-Fonds’ best known native. Le Corbusier was born exactly 125 year ago, and to commemorate the architect, artist, urbanist and writer, the city has organized a number of events. Arts correspondent Michèle Laird, shares her impressions of the programme:
Finding Le Corbusier via his photography Tuesday, 9 October, 2012The UNESCO world heritage site of La Chaux de Fonds is hosting an ambitious exhibition in honour of arguably the region’s most famous son—architect Le Corbusier. As arts correspondent Michèle Laird reports, the organisers set out to show some very different sides to the man and his work:
A trip to the theater...for some ultimate fighting Friday, 5 October, 2012On Saturday, martial arts fans will be gathering at Leman Theater in Geneva to witness a number of fights, including one with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion of the world, Jon Jones. WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to the event’s promoter, Riad Salah, about why this is happening at the theater: