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Event + Culture Newsletter
issue #3 November 2020
 
Artifical Intelligence, a Love Story & some Holiday Spirit!

You don't have to board a plane to go far. In this issue, we will take you on a virtual journey through time and space. From medievel literature to interactive comics and cutting-edge Genomic Medicine research. And from the Parliament Building in Bern across the ocean! 

For everyone who might still plan a trip for the Holidays to visit family and friends in Switzerland, make sure you are aware of current entry restrictions. The Swiss Representations in Canada will answer questions you might have regarding
COVID-19 restrictions in Switzerland in a Virtual Town Hall Meeting. 
TOWN HALL MEETING
Virtual Q&A on COVID-19 Response
Do you have question about what the COVID-19 measures in Switzerland mean for you?
 
Ambassador Salome Meyer and Consuls General Line Leon-Pernet and Andreas Rufer will answer your questions regarding the response to COVID-19, including your concerns about travel issues, visas, etc.
 
Submit your questions in advance until November 19th, 2020, by email to ottawa.socialmedia@eda.admin.ch 

The event will take place on November 30th, 2020, at 1pm PT, on Facebook. 
November 2020
30
Town Hall Meeting
Virtual Q&A on Facebook
Free online event. 
JOIN EVENT
TEDxABBOTSFORD
Webinar with Swiss Speaker Jennie Moore

On November 18-19, TEDxAbbotsford will take place for the fourth time with the topic "Perception". One of the seven announced speakers is Dr. Jennie Moore, Swiss citizen and Director of the Institute of Sustainability at BCIT in Vancouver.

Dr. Jennie Moore will talk about “Architecture, Construction and Sustainability”. She will take the stage on the opening night on November 18.

The Consulate General of Switzerland is pleased to support this local event which was initiated by Swiss abroad Johann Roduit.

November 2020
18
TEDxAbbotsford "Perception"
Webinar
Free online access. 
REGISTER
FROM THE ALPS TO THE ROCKIES: VINCENT MOOSER
Podcast

From Filles Du Roi to Artificial Intelligence.

The latest podcast episode features Prof. Vincent Mooser, a Swiss pioneer in using genomics-based tools and datasets to develop new target-based therapies to improve human health.

His fascinating work at McGill University links historical settlers in French Canada, such as the Filles du Roi, and their rare disease heritage with Montreal’s cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence capacities of today.


Online now
From the Alps to the Rockies:
Vincent Mooser
Podcast
Free online access. 
LISTEN
100 YEARS OF FRIEDRICH DÜRRENMATT  
Anniversary Celebration

Swiss author, dramatist and painter Friedrich Dürrenmatt would have celebrated his 100th birthday next January.

Up to this day, the writer of “The Visit”, “The Judge and His Hangman”, or “The Physicists” is Switzerland’s most translated author.

The Swiss Representations in North America will celebrate the work and legacy of Dürrenmatt in the upcoming year. During the month of January, you will find lots of informative and entertaining content about Friedrich Dürrenmatt on our social media channels. Prize draws, book discussions, panels and podcasts will follow. Stay tuned!


Upcoming 2021


100 Years
Friedrich Dürrenmatt
Anniversary Celebration
Social media campaign starting January 2021. 
FACEBOOK
VIRTUAL ADVENT CALENDAR
Facebook Campaign

We are getting close to that time of the year!

Get into the Holiday spirit with us and open a virtual door of our advent calendar every day in December.There will be a surprise waiting for you every day: videos, prizes, Swiss goodies, and more.

Join us on Facebook now and be part of our virtual advent calendar, from December 1st to December 24th. Let's celebrate together!

December 2020
01
Advent Calendar
Facebook Campaign
Free online campaign. 
FACEBOOK
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Greetings from the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver
 
Dear readers,

In less than two weeks, on Sunday, 29 November 2020, we can light the first candle on our Christmas wreath to celebrate the 1st Advent and the countdown to Christmas begins.
This year has been overshadowed by the Corona pandemic, which has disrupted our lives. We at the Consulate General of Switzerland in Vancouver have had no major issues and we are glad that we have managed to keep our office open throughout the year in order to provide essential services to our customers. However, not everybody has been as lucky as we are. Many people lost their jobs, businesses had to close, some for good, and we have seen loved ones getting sick or even pass away because of this aggressive virus.
Christmas is the time when we want to be close to family and friends. This year, Christmas will look a bit different than usual, as we have to stick to our small bubble in order to keep everybody safe. But, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. The development of a vaccine looks promising, which should bring the pandemic to an end in the coming few months. I am eager to meet our friends and partners in person again soon and rest assured that the event activities of the Swiss Consulate will resume in a more personal format as soon as we are allowed to do so.
I take this opportunity to thank my friendly, dedicated and motivated team members for their continuous great work and to you, dear readers of this newsletter, thank you for your interest in our activities. It’s been a pleasure for me to be a part of the team for a bit more than one year.

With this in mind, I wish you and your family a peaceful and joyful Christmas time.
 
Andreas Rufer
Consul General of Switzerland in Vancouver
OUR PARTNERS PRESENT
MACHINES À BULLES  
Interactive Comic Exhibition

The Alliance Française de Vancouver presents a new, free exhibition: «Machines à Bulles»

Machines à Bulles is an interactive exhibition to explore innovative French digital comics. All the artworks are interactive but can be viewed in different ways.

The Alliance Française invites you to discover this beautiful selection of works of a new kind. The exhibition is available online or on-site at the Alliance Française in Vancouver.

Open now

Machines à Bulles
Interactive Comic Exhibition
Free access. 
VISIT
EU BOOK CLUB: TRISTAN ET YSEUT
Virtual Book Club

In the November edition of the EU Book Club we will read French!

The text chosen for this issue is one of the most popular medieval legends: The tragic romance between Tristan and Isolde. Brush up on your French while reading and discussing this famous tale on forbidden love.

The event will be hosted by the Alliance Française Vancouver and the Centre de la Francophonie de UBC.

November 2020
28
EU Book Club: Tristan et Yseut
Virtual Book Club
Free online event. 
REGISTER
SILENT AUCTION SCCC
Virtual Auction by the Swiss-Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The Swiss Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Western Canada is hosting their annual Christmas & Silent Auction event online on Thursday, December 3, starting at 6.30pm.

Connect and network virtually with the Swiss Canadian community, Directors of the Chamber and the Consul General in Western Canada, Andreas Rufer. Enjoy a live online concert while placing your final silent auction bids easy and quick on your computer, laptop or cell phone. The prize catalogue for the silent auction will soon be shared.

Please RSVP for the Gala Night to receive the Zoom link.

December 2020
03
Silent Auction SCCC
Virtual Auction
Zoom event. 
RSVP
SPOTLIGHT ON SWITZERLAND
RENDEZ-VOUS BUNDESPLATZ
Light Show on the Swiss Parliament Building 
Every year, as the days get shorter, the Swiss Parliament Building in Bern transforms into a giant outdoor screen.

Rendez-vous Bundesplatz features a dazzling light display lasting around half an hour and is shown several times a day. This year's show will turn the Parliament Building into "Planet Hope" – an enormous boat that sets sail like Noah's Ark and experiences all the exciting things that Earth has to offer.

As “Planet Hope” sails from continent to continent, (political) borders disappear. The sailing ship also encounters storm-tossed waves and melting icebergs, plastic waste and a humpback whale before returning to its home harbour of Bern.
 
Bon voyage!
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