Celebrating Swiss Weeks
The events ‘not only express the close ties that Switzerland and Singapore share in the realms of education, innovation and technology, but also on the cultural stage,’ says outgoing Swiss Ambassador Fabrice Filliez
THIS year’s Swiss Weeks activities in April and May were aimed at bringing Switzerland to the doorsteps of Singaporeans and showcased the close and warm ties between the 2 countries which also extend to the realm of culture.
Organised by the Swiss embassy here, it was the second such effort. The 2-month-long series of activities this year – presented as an interactive educational and culture festival, focused on the themes of sustainability and innovation. Supporting the events were 36 programme presenters and partners.
Visitors to the Swiss Weeks had the opportunity to participate in a string of activities ranging from exhibitions, live talks, engaging workshops and masterclasses, to tasting culinary delights.
Switzerland and Singapore are both highly innovative countries with state of the art education and technology. Seeking to put these assets to good use to chart a sustainable future, the 2 countries maintain frequent exchanges and close relations in research, politics and business, says the Swiss Embassy here.
The response to Swiss Weeks was good as all events organised by the embassy were fully booked in advance and there was a long waiting list. The Swiss embassy here first organised its inaugural Swiss Weeks in the spring of 2019.
“The Swiss Weeks not only express the close ties that Switzerland and Singapore share in the realms of education, innovation and technology, but also on the cultural stage,” says outgoing Swiss Ambassador Fabrice Filliez.
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“In collaboration with more than 30 programme presenters and partners, visitors participated in activities ranging from exhibitions, live talks, engaging workshops, a concert by the Swiss-Singaporean pop artist Tabitha Nauser at the Gardens by the Bay, film screenings, select culinary delights and a wine masterclass with SwissSingaporean winemaker Isabella Kellenberger,” he adds.
“After the recent and most welcome reconnection between our 2 countries, the Swiss Weeks gave us an opportunity to bring Switzerland to the Lion City’s doorstep, showcasing the diversity of Switzerland while strengthening the long-standing friendship between Switzerland and Singapore. With the Swiss Weeks, we invited the Swiss and local communities to reflect on how we can build a more sustainable world together.”
The flagship project involved the construction of a sustainable pavilion showcasing sustainability and sustainable building. Inaugurated on May 26, it is on display at the Marina Barrage until the beginning of August. The +Pavilion, as it is called, showcases innovative and sustainable designs, building materials and solutions.
It raises awareness and educates the public on what the future of sustainable construction could look like if stakeholders from both within and outside the built environment ecosystem work together to achieve sustainability goals, and it has intrigued many visitors and passersby.
“It is a great satisfaction for me to finish my tenure here in Singapore with this beautiful and inspiring construction, which will soon find a second life in the compound of tertiary institution EHL Campus here in Singapore,” says Ambassador Filliez.
The Swiss Weeks focused on Swiss design with an exhibition themed Design for Luxury and Craftmanship by ECAL (Ecole cantonal d’art de Lausanne), at the National Design Center; architecture with a masterclass by Mario Botta at SUTD and a lecture at the Singapore ETH center, culinary experiences and the link with nature with the inspiring Bukit Timah Hill Nature Trail.
The activities spread over 2 months had something for everyone. At the Sustainable Singapore Gallery, the exhibition Can Tech save the World and Art heal it? explored innovative ways to think about technology and climate change. Speakers from different walks of life helped mark the opening of the exhibition with a panel discussion titled Every Drop Counts: Transformative Innovations in Global #CleanTech Water Systems.
At TB80 – where the events took place, Le Concours Suisse, a culture of architecture provided glimpses into another driver for innovation and sustainability: the practice of architecture and town planning competitions in Switzerland.
Freemotion embroidery workshops with Swiss manufacturer Bernina’s highly innovative sewing machines. A Swiss Spring Market introduced visitors to some of the most innovative and sustainable brands, offering an expertly curated retail experience.
Focusing on the theme of sustainability and kindness to nature, the Swiss School in Singapore opened its doors to visitors who wished to learn how the school inspires its students to innovate and act sustainably.
For those who were interested in business activities, SwissCham APAC’s online conference on ‘Sustainable Solutions for a Brighter Future’ and a masterclass on selected Swiss innovation topics provided practical takeaways on how to solve sustainability challenges in the business world.
The Swiss Weeks activities kick-started with the family friendly screenings of the iconic Swiss film Heidi at the Gardens by the Bay on Mar 6. Other events included opportunities to get together with members of the Swiss Association and a unique Swiss Shooting Medals exhibition at the Swiss Club.
The Embassy says that its objective is to foster bilateral relations between Switzerland and Singapore on all levels, with a focus on political, financial and business ties, as well as promoting science, culture, and tourism.
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