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Swiss Christmas Magic

The Basel Christmas Market held in Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz was voted 2021’s Best Christmas Market in Europe. Started from November 23, this month-long market with 155 stands, is one of the largest Christmas markets in Switzerland…reports Asian Lite News

The countdown to Christmas, among the most anticipated festivals across the world, has begun and there’s much to look forward to! Spending the holiday with loved ones, hanging out, or shopping at any of the country’s bustling, vibrant Christmas markets is one of the best ways to soak in the festive spirit. From warm mulled wine, punch, plum cake, and home-baked goodies like raclette and fondue, handicrafts, jewellery, and clothes to concerts, workshops for adults and kids, and local choirs that set the mood for the celebrations — these markets offer all this and more!

Here are Switzerland’s seven most exciting Christmas markets that are worth a visit this year and every other year! Most markets are open already from November 23 onwards to usher in the beginning of the Advent period.

Basel

The Basel Christmas Market held in Barfüsserplatz and Münsterplatz was voted 2021’s Best Christmas Market in Europe. Started from November 23, this month-long market with 155 stands, is one of the largest Christmas markets in Switzerland. Don’t miss out gorging on sumptuous Christmas delicacies at Barfüsserplatz, writing down your wish in the Basel Wish Book or enjoying the best view from the Basel Cathedral of this fairy tale land! Let the Christmas tree ornamented by the well-known decorator Johann Wanner dazzle you at Münsterplatz, the most beautiful square in Basel. Take a walk to the Pfalz and sip on your mulled wine against a shimmering view over the Rhine.

Zurich

In Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, there is a Christmas market for each and every reveller. Most markets are already open from November 23, including the city’s oldest Christmas market held in Dörfli in the heart of the Old Town or the Zurich Main Station market – one of the largest indoor Christmas markets in Europe featuring 140 stalls. You can stroll through these markets to pick up statement jewellery pieces by local designers, indulge in candle making or sampling traditional Swiss fare with loved ones.


Montreux

If you’ve ever wondered where you’ve seen a flying Santa Claus over water on his sleigh outside of the reel world, it is in Montreux! Here, under the palm trees of the Riviera, you will find the world’s most beautiful Christmas markets of Europe set up in beautifully illuminated chalets. Over 170 merchants, craftsmen and restaurant owners will sell their wares here till December 24.

Lucerne

Located in Franziskanerplatz in the city’s old town, the Lucerne Christmas Market remains open till December 21. It is also home to the largest Advent wreath in central Switzerland, decorated with hundreds of lights and baubles and four-feet tall candles! The city’s Craft Market is equally popular offering homemade products like jewellery, paper goods and other gift items made by local women and craftsmen.


Geneva

Opened from November 16 till December 24, the Noel au Quai is the most magnificent market in Geneva. You can stroll along Lake Geneva and stop to sip on some mulled wine or savour the ‘moitie-moitie’ fondue at the Chalet a Fondue, this beautifully decorated market is famous for this time of year. From a variety of locally made crafts stalls to tasting different winter dishes or spending time at the entertainment chalet, the Christmas Market at the Quai will tick off all the items on your wish list.

Lausanne

The 9th edition of Bô Noël will take place till December 21 at the Place Centrale, now renamed Place des Pionnières. You don’t want to miss the Opening Parade, the Ferris Wheel, the 20m-long sledge run, the monumental 15m-high fir tree decorated with giant baubles or the enchanting Children’s Village set up at the sustainable market this year!

Bern

Bern isn’t limited to just one or two markets but offers over 11 delightful markets, each unique from the other! From the traditional Christmas Market on Waisenhausplatz where you can munch on caramelised almonds and pick up quirky souvenirs, the Star Market with its weatherproof lounges and a view of the parliament from the Kleine Schanze or the Crafts Market on Minister Terrace that showcases products by local designers and craftsmen and women, each of these markets offer a different experience. The best part? The markets are located so close to each other, you can walk through them! 

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Arts & Culture Lite Blogs

Swiss-Ugandan Artist Awori Finds Endless Possibilities in Music

Known for incorporating societal issues, including economic inequality, exile, state violence and police brutality, the singer, who released her EP Ranavalona, named after the last queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III, in 2021, says she likes to talk about issues that affect her deeply…reports Asian Lite News

Endless possibilities,” she says is what keeps her fascinated with music.The fact that it can transcend and overcome self-made barriers… The promise that external rhythm can change the pace inside always amazes Awori, a Swiss-Ugandan singer-songwriter, and rapper currently touring India to perform at Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Chandigarh on the invitation of Alliance Francaise in association with the Embassy of Switzerland in India and Bhutan.

“I started performing and writing songs at the age of eight years — thanks to the fact that my grandfather and parents were deeply into music. They would listen to different genres and it seemed a story inside me was unfolding, waiting to be completed,” she tells.

Moving to Switzerland a few years later, it was that songwriting helped her adapt to her new, unfamiliar surroundings where she also co-founded bands, including ‘Black Diamond & Caramel Brown’ (later baptized KAMI AWORI). The latter released 4 EPs and travelled to Bamako, Havana and Johannesburg collaborating with local artists and fusing R&B and Soul with local sounds. They gained a strong local following performing at Swiss festivals like Royal Arena, Musiques En Ete & Antigel.

Known for incorporating societal issues, including economic inequality, exile, state violence and police brutality, the singer, who released her EP Ranavalona, named after the last queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III, in 2021, says she likes to talk about issues that affect her deeply. 

“Thus, they find a place almost naturally in my work, I do not write with an ‘agenda’. I have always felt that as an artist, there is a lot of space to talk about important issues, and we must.”

In an industry, essentially dominated by men, Awori feels as a woman and African person one needs to work harder to make her own space — something which many times may be perceived as “strange”. 

“If a man has the same characteristics, he will be called a go-getter, and that does surprise me. Not to mention the fact that nowadays one needs to have multiple skill sets — visuals, digital marketing, and a deep understanding of social media. It is not just about putting out music, but understanding how to engage with the audience etc. Frankly, it is much harder than what most people would expect.”

The artist, who is always looking forward to collaborations, feels it forces one out of his/her comfort zone and pushes boundaries. 

“And then, ascertaining that you ‘meet’ at a similar space so that everyone involved is represented equally. It is always an enriching experience considering there is so much give and take, and education about diverse styles,” says Awori, who has performed across the world, including the UK, Croatia, Spain, France and East Africa.  

Currently studying Jazz in Paris, where she is also with the marching band ’30 Nuances de Noires’ (30 Shades of Black) as a lead singer, vocal coordinator, and dancer, on various occasions, the artist has taken part in artistic ventures outside of her field — she narrated Kapwani Kiwanga’s installation at Glasgow International ‘Soft Measures’ (2018) as well as Ariella Azoulay’s documentary film ‘Un-documented: Undoing Imperial Plunder’ (2019). 

“I have always loved jazz, even when I did not know it was that art form. It offers me so much scope to improvise, Not to mention, it has such a rich history — every time I listen to Nina Simone and Miles Davis, they never cease to amaze me.”

Adding that India reminds her of Kampala, she says, “The markets and commercial spaces are so similar. There is a certain sense of familiarity, just like home.”

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Turkey summons Swiss envoy over demonstration against Erdogan

Will Erdogan's faulty economic doctrine pull him down in next year's elections in Turkey?.(photo:IN)

Omer Celik, the spokesperson of the ruling Justice and Development Party, concurred with Bozbay’s comments by denouncing the demonstration…reports Asian Lite News

Turkey has summoned Jean-Daniel Ruch, the Swiss ambassador to Ankara over a demonstration in Zurich, Switzerland against its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which protesters burned Erdogan’s effigy.

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozbay said these acts were unacceptable, calling on Swiss authorities to launch an investigation into the incident and identify those involved as soon as possible.

Omer Celik, the spokesperson of the ruling Justice and Development Party, concurred with Bozbay’s comments by denouncing the demonstration.

“We condemn the heinous attack by supporters of the terrorist organization PKK (the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party) in Switzerland, which targeted the Turkish flag and our President Erdogan,” Celik said on Twitter.

The spokesperson also strongly condemned “the connivance of the Swiss authorities to these despicable acts”, asking Switzerland to be determined in the fight against terrorism and hate crimes.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the European Union, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for over 30 years.

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