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S U B S C R I B E
Events Calendar
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:
Movie Week: Animal Kingdom and the Harry Potter finale
Wednesday, 13 July, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews what is billed as the last installment in the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, which can be seen in 3D, is a worthy finale to an eight part series, Oliver says. There are a few flaws, she says, but it features an amazing cast of characters. She gives it a three out of five stars. Plus, Oliver takes a shine to Animal Kingdom, based on a true story of a gangster family in Melbourne, Australia headed by a grandmother known as “Grandma Smurf.” A prize winner at the Sundance film festival, it earns four stars:
Wednesday, 13 July, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews what is billed as the last installment in the Harry Potter franchise. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, which can be seen in 3D, is a worthy finale to an eight part series, Oliver says. There are a few flaws, she says, but it features an amazing cast of characters. She gives it a three out of five stars. Plus, Oliver takes a shine to Animal Kingdom, based on a true story of a gangster family in Melbourne, Australia headed by a grandmother known as “Grandma Smurf.” A prize winner at the Sundance film festival, it earns four stars:
Zubin Mehta conducts Israel Philharmonic at Gstaad musicfest
Tuesday, 12 July, 2011The Menuhin classical music festival starts this weekend in the mountain resort town of Gstaad. For seven weeks, performances by international talent will center on the theme of “fire and sun.” WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to the festival director, Christoph Müller. He says the symphonic highlight of the festival will be the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with renowned Indian conductor Zubin Mehta and cellist Sol Gabetta, performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4:
Tuesday, 12 July, 2011The Menuhin classical music festival starts this weekend in the mountain resort town of Gstaad. For seven weeks, performances by international talent will center on the theme of “fire and sun.” WRS’s Alex Helmick speaks to the festival director, Christoph Müller. He says the symphonic highlight of the festival will be the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with renowned Indian conductor Zubin Mehta and cellist Sol Gabetta, performing Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4:
Arts CH: Getting high on outdoor sculpture amid the Vaud Alps
Tuesday, 12 July, 2011Arts contributor Aoife Rosenmeyer discovers a place in Vaud where modern sculptures can be appreciated outdoors. An annual exposition is held at Szilassy Park, overlooking the town of Bex amid dramatic mountain scenery. For the 11th edition of this event, three new curators — Noemie Enz, Pascal Hausermann and Jessica Schupbach — take the reins. Works by well known sculptors were commissioned to fit into this year’s theme, “Territories,” and the local landscape. Rosenmeyer speaks to Enz and Schupbach:
Tuesday, 12 July, 2011Arts contributor Aoife Rosenmeyer discovers a place in Vaud where modern sculptures can be appreciated outdoors. An annual exposition is held at Szilassy Park, overlooking the town of Bex amid dramatic mountain scenery. For the 11th edition of this event, three new curators — Noemie Enz, Pascal Hausermann and Jessica Schupbach — take the reins. Works by well known sculptors were commissioned to fit into this year’s theme, “Territories,” and the local landscape. Rosenmeyer speaks to Enz and Schupbach:
International multi-media artists converge on Fribourg for Belluard Bollwerk festival
Wednesday, 29 June, 2011The Belluard Bollwerk International is a festival in Fribourg that mixes art installations with dance and theater, movies and music. The event runs until July 2. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to the director of the festival, Sally de Kunst, who says she simply calls it an arts festival because the artists that come to mix together are from so many different disciplines:
Wednesday, 29 June, 2011The Belluard Bollwerk International is a festival in Fribourg that mixes art installations with dance and theater, movies and music. The event runs until July 2. WRS’s Alex Helmick talks to the director of the festival, Sally de Kunst, who says she simply calls it an arts festival because the artists that come to mix together are from so many different disciplines:
Movie Week: Tom Hanks, Drew Barrymore direct - and star in - comedies
Wednesday, 29 June, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews two Hollywood comedies by famous actors turned directors. Tom Hanks stars in Larry Crowne, the story of an average American man, fired from his job for not having enough education. Hanks also directs the film, which co-stars Julie Roberts. Oliver says the premise is promising but she finds the film a bit boring and worthy of only three out of five stars. Drew Barrymore’s latest directorial endeavor, Whip It, starring the wide-eyed Ellen Page and Barrymore herself, is the story of an ordinary teenaged girl who finds herself attracted to the world of roller derby. Oliver gives this movie four stars for its refreshing humor:
Wednesday, 29 June, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews two Hollywood comedies by famous actors turned directors. Tom Hanks stars in Larry Crowne, the story of an average American man, fired from his job for not having enough education. Hanks also directs the film, which co-stars Julie Roberts. Oliver says the premise is promising but she finds the film a bit boring and worthy of only three out of five stars. Drew Barrymore’s latest directorial endeavor, Whip It, starring the wide-eyed Ellen Page and Barrymore herself, is the story of an ordinary teenaged girl who finds herself attracted to the world of roller derby. Oliver gives this movie four stars for its refreshing humor:
Arts CH: Musical giants light up Locarno's 'Moon and Stars' concert series
Tuesday, 28 June, 2011The seventh annual Moon and Stars series of concerts is set to kick off in Locarno. Big-name stars feature in the nine nights of open air concerts on the Piazza Grande, the main square where the Ticino town’s famous film festival takes place. This year’s roster includes Sting, Bryan Adams, Roxette, and veterans such as Joe Cocker and Santana. Amy Winehouse was expected to perform but recently had to cancel a number of dates on her current tour. Arts correspondent Cristina Foglia serves up the details:
Tuesday, 28 June, 2011The seventh annual Moon and Stars series of concerts is set to kick off in Locarno. Big-name stars feature in the nine nights of open air concerts on the Piazza Grande, the main square where the Ticino town’s famous film festival takes place. This year’s roster includes Sting, Bryan Adams, Roxette, and veterans such as Joe Cocker and Santana. Amy Winehouse was expected to perform but recently had to cancel a number of dates on her current tour. Arts correspondent Cristina Foglia serves up the details:
Movie Week: Drama about Welsh boyhood wins top marks
Wednesday, 22 June, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews two films at either end of the ratings meter. In a new Hollywood comedy, Cameron Diaz plays a manipulative, shallow gold digger who gets dumped by her wealthy fiance and has to go back to teaching. But Oliver says Bad Teacher is just plain bad. By contrast, writer-director Richard Ayoade’s first feature, Submarine, a coming-of-age satirical drama about a 15-year-old boy in Wales, is an innovative and refreshing piece of cinema. Oliver gives this film a rare five out of five stars:
Wednesday, 22 June, 2011Film critic Franziska Oliver reviews two films at either end of the ratings meter. In a new Hollywood comedy, Cameron Diaz plays a manipulative, shallow gold digger who gets dumped by her wealthy fiance and has to go back to teaching. But Oliver says Bad Teacher is just plain bad. By contrast, writer-director Richard Ayoade’s first feature, Submarine, a coming-of-age satirical drama about a 15-year-old boy in Wales, is an innovative and refreshing piece of cinema. Oliver gives this film a rare five out of five stars:
Prokofiev opera in Geneva mixes Italian comedy with Russian flair
Tuesday, 21 June, 2011Geneva’s Grand Théâtre is presenting Sergei Prokofiev’s opera, The Love of Three Oranges, which is inspired by an 18th century Italian comedy and acted with comedic Russian flair. The influential composer, pianist and conductor first premiered this humorous opera in the 1920s, while touring the United States. The Geneva production updates a version staged in 2001 by the famous Swiss director Benno Besson, who died in 2006. WRS’s Marc Menichini catches up with two American singers involved, tenor Chad Shelton and mezzo soprano Katherine Rohrer:
Tuesday, 21 June, 2011Geneva’s Grand Théâtre is presenting Sergei Prokofiev’s opera, The Love of Three Oranges, which is inspired by an 18th century Italian comedy and acted with comedic Russian flair. The influential composer, pianist and conductor first premiered this humorous opera in the 1920s, while touring the United States. The Geneva production updates a version staged in 2001 by the famous Swiss director Benno Besson, who died in 2006. WRS’s Marc Menichini catches up with two American singers involved, tenor Chad Shelton and mezzo soprano Katherine Rohrer:
Arts CH: Geneva ceramics museum decants 1,001 cups
Tuesday, 21 June, 2011The Ariana Museum behind the United Nations building in Geneva is the only museum in Switzerland devoted solely to ceramics and glass works. The Ariana’s new exhibition, called “One Thousand and One Cups,” pays tribute to the humble disposable terra cotta Kulhar cup from northern India. Handle-less and unglazed, it was traditionally thrown away after each use. Ten works from each of the 100 international artists invited to participate, including those by renowned Swiss ceramicist Arnold Annen, show off the amazingly different techniques that can be used to make a simple cup. Arts contributor Jane Seckel takes a tour of this exhibit, which will later travel to La Chaux-de-Fonds and Winterthur:
Tuesday, 21 June, 2011The Ariana Museum behind the United Nations building in Geneva is the only museum in Switzerland devoted solely to ceramics and glass works. The Ariana’s new exhibition, called “One Thousand and One Cups,” pays tribute to the humble disposable terra cotta Kulhar cup from northern India. Handle-less and unglazed, it was traditionally thrown away after each use. Ten works from each of the 100 international artists invited to participate, including those by renowned Swiss ceramicist Arnold Annen, show off the amazingly different techniques that can be used to make a simple cup. Arts contributor Jane Seckel takes a tour of this exhibit, which will later travel to La Chaux-de-Fonds and Winterthur:
Lausanne cultural institutions pay homage to cineaste Fellini
Thursday, 16 June, 2011Two of Lausanne’s most venerable cultural institutions are paying tribute to the work of Italian maestro Federico Fellini. The Musée d’Elysée’s new exhibition reveals the source of the famous director’s inspiration through his drawings, photographs, deleted scenes and interviews. Such a celebration wouldn’t be right without a few screenings. Thanks to the Swiss Film Archive, movie buffs can rediscover all of the widely revered filmmaker’s masterpieces. WRS’s Marc Menichini speaks with Gérald Morin, former second assistant of the maestro, and Frédéric Maire, director of the archive. He starts by asking Maire what makes Fellini’s movies so unique:
Thursday, 16 June, 2011Two of Lausanne’s most venerable cultural institutions are paying tribute to the work of Italian maestro Federico Fellini. The Musée d’Elysée’s new exhibition reveals the source of the famous director’s inspiration through his drawings, photographs, deleted scenes and interviews. Such a celebration wouldn’t be right without a few screenings. Thanks to the Swiss Film Archive, movie buffs can rediscover all of the widely revered filmmaker’s masterpieces. WRS’s Marc Menichini speaks with Gérald Morin, former second assistant of the maestro, and Frédéric Maire, director of the archive. He starts by asking Maire what makes Fellini’s movies so unique:
Movie Week: Kung Fu Panda 2 and The Guantanamo Trap
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Christian Jungen, movie critic for the Zurich-based NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, touts the new Kung Fu Panda 2, a blockbuster animated sequel, as “finally, a very good 3D film” despite a flawed storyline. He also reviews The Guantanamo Trap, an investigative documentary that examines the lives of four characters whose lives were transformed by the infamous detention camp:
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Christian Jungen, movie critic for the Zurich-based NZZ am Sonntag newspaper, touts the new Kung Fu Panda 2, a blockbuster animated sequel, as “finally, a very good 3D film” despite a flawed storyline. He also reviews The Guantanamo Trap, an investigative documentary that examines the lives of four characters whose lives were transformed by the infamous detention camp:
Along with pricey collectibles for the rich, Art Basel offers affordable items
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Art Basel opens to the public today, though important collectors and a few professionals were allowed in on Tuesday. The scale of the show is enormous and it would take days to see all the works on view, let alone to watch all the videos and films in full. More than 300 galleries are showcasing the art of more than 2,500 artists from 35 countries. WRS’s Pete Forster speaks to arts reporter Aoife Rosenmeyer, who says while many of the artworks sell for millions, some can be bought for as little as 50 francs:
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Art Basel opens to the public today, though important collectors and a few professionals were allowed in on Tuesday. The scale of the show is enormous and it would take days to see all the works on view, let alone to watch all the videos and films in full. More than 300 galleries are showcasing the art of more than 2,500 artists from 35 countries. WRS’s Pete Forster speaks to arts reporter Aoife Rosenmeyer, who says while many of the artworks sell for millions, some can be bought for as little as 50 francs:
National museum show pays tribute to popular young Swiss singer's legacy
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Swiss schoolchildren still sing songs composed by popular Swiss-German singer and songwriter Mani Matter and bands continue to perform cover versions of his works. A fatal car accident in 1972 cut short his career at age 26 but his legacy lives on. Matter grew up in Bern and performed his first songs, accompanying himself on the guitar, at boy scout evenings. WRS’s Jo Fahy reports on an exhibition about the singer in Zurich at the Swiss National Museum until September 18:
Wednesday, 15 June, 2011Swiss schoolchildren still sing songs composed by popular Swiss-German singer and songwriter Mani Matter and bands continue to perform cover versions of his works. A fatal car accident in 1972 cut short his career at age 26 but his legacy lives on. Matter grew up in Bern and performed his first songs, accompanying himself on the guitar, at boy scout evenings. WRS’s Jo Fahy reports on an exhibition about the singer in Zurich at the Swiss National Museum until September 18:
Arts CH: Navigating around Art Basel's many exhibition halls
Tuesday, 14 June, 2011For many art aficionados, Basel is simply an art fair with a small city attached not a city with one of the largest modern art markets in the world. The main Art Basel fair is like a condensed art history degree where every major artist from the last 150 years can be found. In the Art Statements halls, up and coming galleries each showcase one artist in their booths. In Art Unlimited, you can find large-scale works, sometimes too big to fit in conventional spaces. Aoife Rosenmeyer offers an overview of this huge annual event and how to tackle it:
Tuesday, 14 June, 2011For many art aficionados, Basel is simply an art fair with a small city attached not a city with one of the largest modern art markets in the world. The main Art Basel fair is like a condensed art history degree where every major artist from the last 150 years can be found. In the Art Statements halls, up and coming galleries each showcase one artist in their booths. In Art Unlimited, you can find large-scale works, sometimes too big to fit in conventional spaces. Aoife Rosenmeyer offers an overview of this huge annual event and how to tackle it:
