On the 9th, 10th and 12th May, over 120 students of COV (the Conservatoire of West Vaud) will perform "Marco Polo and the Princess of China". This is a family friendly opera, at just one hour and quarter long, it's a great introduction for all ages to the world of opera, live orchestral music, fabulous costumes and scenery. Living in Nyon recently spoke to Anastase Démétriadès, the director of the school who said; "This is a massive opportunity for all the students to get together and perform. The youngest member is 6 years old, there are adult students too, three choirs involved, 45 in the orchestra alone, it's a big event! It is also a good opportunity to see the work of this prestigious music school". Photo below - The COV orchestra in rehearsal Living in Nyon has 12 free tickets on offer for this event. 2 pairs for the performance in Morges on Saturday 9th May, 2 pairs for the performance in Nyon on Sunday 10th May, and 2 pairs for the performance in Aubonne on Tuesday 12th May. To be in with a chance with winning, email info@livinginnyon.com by Sunday 3rd May, title the email "Marco Polo" and state which venue you would like tickets for ( Nyon, Morges or Aubonne) For more details of the concert and and to purchase tickets see here (click on the word "representations" to buy tickets online)

On the 22nd May at 19:30 the "Ansermet Ensemble" will be performing at the Salle de la Colombière in Nyon. This chamber orchestra is comprised of four students who have recently graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in London. They will play works by Franz Joseph Haydn, Jean Sibelius, Claude Debussy and Ernest Bloch. For tickets CHF 20/CHF 15 email ansermet.ensemble@gmail.com Tel 079 575 4210. Click here for Facebook page "The "Ansermet Ensemble" takes its name from the Swiss conductor Ernest Ansermet (1883-1969 - see more info below) The four members of the ensemble are; Hoei Lien The, Liam Brolly, Auriol Evans and Theodor Küng. Ernest Ansermet was founder of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and a contemporary of Furtwängler and Klemperer. Following several years teaching mathematics at the University of Lausanne he went on to have an extremely distinguished career that included several international tours, the directorship of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russe, and worldwide recognition from both his audiences and his peers. A champion of 20th century contemporary music - notably that of his compatriots Frank Martin and Arthur Honegger - he is perhaps most famous for conducting several notable premieres for Stravinsky, including 'Histoire d'un Soldat' (1918), Pulcinella (1920), and Les Noces (1923), and for his book Les Fondements de la Musique dans la Conscience Humaine. Written with great care over the course of 50 years, it examines the origins, meanings, and perception of music by the human mind. The great detail and intricacy of thought in this work makes it less a career memoir and more a philosophical treatise. A passionate though occasionally severe conductor, his letters reveal a personality that is intimate, friendly, and marvellously sincere. Amongst his correspondents and frequent collaborators on stage, one finds many great names of his time, including Pablo Casals, Alfred Cortot, Joseph Szigeti, Carl Flesch, and Kathleen Ferrier. The ensemble is named after him in order to honour his achievements and commemorate his contribution to music.

Here are four film reviews from film student Fanny Leyvraz. The first, "Muchachas" comes highly recommended from both Fanny and Living in Nyon. This film focusses on the relationship that household maids in Mexico have with their employers and the families they work for. Yesterday, at the Nyon film festival, one of the maids was given the opportunity to speak to the audience as the film's director Juliana Fanjul had flown her in from Mexico to attend the screening of the film and to answer questions. A rich an interesting discussion ensued. The next three short reviews are from the "First Steps" film selection. These are short films out of film schools presented in world or international premieres. Fanny warmed to two of the films, but not to the third. Read on for her reviews. Muchachas - screening tonight Thursday 23rd at the Cinema Capitole Fellini Capitole Fellini at 20:00 A film filled with whole-hearted and honest exchanges In the city of Mexico, almost every single wealthy family has an employee doing the household chores. They clean, cook, answer the door, do the laundry, and take care of the kids. is about three women, Lupita, Remedios, and Dolores, who have spent their entire life as house-workers. Wide hands and robust arms, wrinkled faces, they wear their hair short or tied up. Their every move is done with the precision of a watchmaker, energetic and with minimum effort. They are always active and quiet, always standing yet discreet, but the camera reveals the courage and strength these three women, and imposes our respect. Using the technique of conversation, Juliana Fanjul and her camera are able to obtain genuine thoughts and opinions of those who are usually silent. Asking simple questions, and letting time loosen tongues, the process of sharing grows as the minutes go by. The house-workers have memories about their childhoods, they comment on how they consider themselves in relation to the family they work for, their intense reactions can be touching, amusing and sometimes troubling. The film raises many questions - the culture of young female house-workers coming from small villages (where they usually didn’t have any access to education), to questions on Mexico itself. The documentary addresses the separation between economical classes, and the nature of the relationship between the boss and the employee, or the employee and the children of the family, issues that encourage an evolution. Filled with whole-hearted and honest exchanges, gave these incredible women the time and space to speak up about their side of the story. Info and tickets here Three first steps films by film students - Usine a Gaz Friday 24th April at 10:00. Note: all First Steps films will be shown in a mammoth screening session from 10:00 onwards. See timings of the following three films here Mars Closer Paul and Pauls not only share almost the exact same name, but also the same dream. They long to be a part of the first expedition to Mars, to be the first men ever to set foot on another planet. We follow each man in his earthly dwellings. Paul walks the busy and rainy streets of Tokyo, in an atmosphere recalling In Latvia, Pauls plays in the garden with his two small children.Mixing very blunt addresses to the spectator, and dreamy scenes, does not seem to be real, but wonderfully fictional. Economic Forecasters The blurry and colourful lights, the hullabaloo of radio transmissions, and the swirling of newspapers lure us slowly but surely into an absurd and amusing world. There are two men that see economy as predictable. One looks up to the planets, walking in the dark streets of Helsinki, the other in his newspaper-crammed office, answers calls from hesitant house-buyers or investors. Funny and eccentric, will make you smile. On vénère bien les chevaux In a small café, somewhere in France, there is a cult, betting on the horse-races. If the analogy made with the frenzy of horse-racing bets and the story of the Buddha, and his twelve animal tournament is surprising and smart, it fails to move deeply the spectator. This small window to the horse-racing bet world is probably authentic, but unfortunately not so enchanting.

It has been confirmed today (2nd April) that Robbie Williams will definitely play at the 40th edition of Paléo this year. Although the official line up is not due to be announced until the 14th April, the news that the star will headline on the first night of the festival was revealed early to the public via a T shirt! As the singer had produced a T shirt with his official "Let me entertain you" 2015 tour dates on with Paléo listed as one of the venues on it, the festival organisers were obliged to confirm his presence on the main stage on the Paléo grounds near Nyon on Monday 20th July. Photo above and below - courtesy Paléo - crowds at the sold out and very successful Stromae concert in 2014 Tickets go on sale on the 22nd April 2015 from midday. Get in line or online on the day! Tickets always sell out fast.

Party for Paléo plus oldies and newies scheduled to play - by Jonas Parson The line-up for the 40th edition of Paléo Festival was revealed in Nyon today by both Daniel Rossellat, the boss of Paléo and Jacques Monnier, head of programming. As Daniel Rossellat reflected, the 40th anniversary of a music festival is always a very special moment, especially since none of them knew the project would last this long - and is set out to last much longer! A 7th day has been added this year to the festival to celebrate it in style so with a series of big stars and musical legends, the 40th Paléo Festival will once again be a great week of music and celebration. It will also be the occasion to thank Nyon and the surrounding area, with a big party in town on the 18th July. All the volunteer workers at Paléo will be the focus of a book specially edited for the festival called "Complices en Coulisses". There will be a special show on Friday 24th by Vincent Kucholl and Vincent Veillon, called "120 secondes presente le Paléo" which will look back on the history of the festival with the usual tongue in the cheek humour and audacity that the two Swiss satirists have become known for. A day for memories: Musical legends on Saturday The 40th anniversary milestone was the perfect excuse, explained Daniel Rossellat, to bring back some of the bands that have marked the history of the festival- and indeed, the history of music over the last 40 years. Saturday night is set out to be an evening of legends, with Robert Plant, Joan Baez and Patti Smith performing at l'Asse. As Rossellat quite aptly put it, it will be a night for the older generations to see the bands that made the music of their youth, and for the younger generations, the perfect opportunity to see some of the most important bands of the 20th century. Rossellat retold the story of Joan Baez's first concert at Paléo, in July 1982- they'd received a letter the year before asking if they would be interested if she came to Nyon (they were thrilled!), and when she did come, the Festival beat their own records, with over 22,000 people having bought tickets, and traffic jams all the way to Coppet and Gland (great news for Rossellat, less so for the police officer who was trying to keep things slightly organised) Patti Smith will be performing the whole of her début album “Horses”, which came out exactly 40 years ago. Superstars, friends of the festival and a lot of newcomers Continuing with the musical giants coming to Nyon this summer, Sting, Johny Hallyday and Veronique Sanson will be playing alongside younger bands such as Kings of Leon, the American rock sensation who are used to filling up stadiums, and will be playing one of their only two dates in Europe this summer, and Passenger- the stage name of English songwriter Michael Rosenberg - who's song “Let Her Go” topped the charts across the world - including here in Switzerland. He will be presenting his latest album, of which all the proceedings will go to UNICEF. Nothing more need be said - a t-shirt said it all a couple of weeks ago- about Robbie William whose super-show will be opening the festival on Monday, this will most probably be an impressive moment. When it comes to regulars invitees of l'Asse (L'Asse is the name of the actual grounds of Paléo) they will make up one third of the line up this year- slightly more than the usual 1/4-3/4 ratio of the festival, due to anniversary nostalgia – Ben Harper will be back again with the freshly reformed Innocent Criminals, for another concert since his first concert in Nyon in 1994. Also back together after several solo projects are Angus and Julia Stone, another band favoured by Paléo, who, as Jacques Monnier explained, enjoy following the progress of some of the bands they invite to the festival. Back with a new album, always reinventing his music, British dandy Charlie Winston will please the crowd for the second time this summer. But all these known faces only account for a third of the bands who will be coming, and as usual, it is with all the small and relatively unknown bands that Paléo creates a solid line-up. Among these, keep an eye out for the wild rhythms and funky beats of hip-hop band Alo Wala, with their electro-hip-hop, Feu! Chatterton and their poetic rock inspired by Bashung and Gainsbourg, Kate Tempest's energetic flow and the beautiful songs of Benjamin Clementine, young English songwriter whose talent was discovered in the Paris metro. Photo above - courtesy Paléo - Alo Wala The Far East between tradition and avant-garde As always, the Village du Monde is devoted to promoting the culture- both musical and culinary- of a certain area of the world. Showcasing traditional bands, but also and most of all- the newer generations of artists who are innovating on these traditions, so it is opening its doors to China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia and their neighbouring countries this year. Always a perfect place to discover unknown gems, look out for the traditional Japanese drummers of the Tambours de Tokyo, the surprising Jambinai, who use traditional instruments for their very own brand of metal, the Mongolese mix of country and rock with overtone singing by Hanggai, or the solo performance of Wang Li, great specialist of the Jew's harp! The ticket office will open next Wednesday, 22nd April, at 12:00, online at paleo.ch, and in certain retail points. Get all the info and the full line-up here Photo above - courtesy Paléo - Tambours de Tokyo.

Visions du Réel Day 6! Here are three films reviews from Visions du Réel, two by Trish Thalman and one by Fanny Levraz. Two of the films, Women in Sink and Nosotros Ellas are about women, the first, "avivacious, warm hearted funny film" and the other is "a breath taking close up of womanly lives". The Enemy is about the mosquito, a documentary filmed in Cuba, a "comedic delight" and one "not to be missed". Films of completely different styles but all worth watching according to their reviewers. All three films will be screened today Wednesday 22nd. Nosotros Ellas at 12:15 and The Enemy and Women in Sink at 18:00 Full details and tickets here. Also today, don't forget Paléo tickets go on sale at midday so get in line or online to buy your tickets as they sell out very fast! The Enemy by Aldemar Matias - "Not to be missed". The enemy is actually the mosquito and larvae that is responsible for Dengue Fever. Cuba - during the 80's, there was an epidemic of the disease. People died. Since that time, the Public Health DepartmentLaw requires every building, shop, living quarters to be free of the disease carrying insects. In one of the residential quarters of Havana, a team of Health Inspectors set out daily to visit andcheck homes and businesses, capture mosquitos in glass tubes and deal with copious amounts of administrative paper work, that is, once they have sung the national anthem together to start the day. Thegood-natured, squabbling team of workers deal with mistakes, wrong addresses, incorrect information, accusations by fellow workers who all answer to their imposing, boisterous supervisor, a woman who is determined to leave no larvae left in the quarter. And don't tell her what to do either! The film follows the workers as they brow-beat citizens about keeping pest free, argue with them about paying fines, making deals for a lower fine, and re-educating them about health laws if larvae and mosquitos are found. One family is designated to be fumigated, but a hilarious discussion follows whether to fumigate or not, as the family is having lunch. The fumigation proceeds anyway, engulfing the tiny living accommodation and courtyard with thick white smoke. The noisy fumigator, belching it's fumes, is a fabulous piece of 'art work' from the 80's, that can only exist in Cuba where everything is 'fixed and maintained', as new fumigators would be impossible to obtain. The closing scene with the buzzing fumigator, the billowing puffs of smoke wafting everywhere through the street is a comedic delight. You can almost smell the putrid poison. Not to be missed. Info and tickets here Women in Sink by Iris Zaki – Women chatting together while having their hair washed. Iris has a job in a women's hair salon. She lathers shampoo, washes hair and carries on conversations that turnout to be relaxed and exceptional. Because, the women who come into the salon are a mix of Jewish, Arab and Christian Arab women living in Israel. There is a calendar on the wall with the picture of Jesus holding a Lamb, the writing on the outside of the Salon is in Arabic, and everyone speaks freely about their family history, where they are from, and the always current issues between the Jews and the Arabs. The salon is always filled with laughing, noisy customers, friends, people who drop by (women and men) and the reception desk is usually filled with snacks, cakes and breads being shared with all. It is a comfortable retreat for the customers who enter. We see 'talking heads'of all ages with an array of coloured lips, eye shadowed lids, and jewelry, along with skin and teeth defects, glowingly framed by the shiny, wet black enamel and chrome of the washing sink. The conversations run the gamut with eye and facial expressions reflecting emotions. Some customers just lie back, close their eyes and say nothing. We see only their face and wet heads. This vivacious, warm-hearted, funny film gives voice to and a quick snapshot of articulate women with something to say in a relaxed environment, enjoying shampoo and warm water on their heads. The young directors of both films have filmed and told their clever stories in a most humorous yet sensitive manner. Their own personalities shine through. Info and tickets here Nosotras Ellas by Julia Pesce (Us Women, Them Women) review by Fanny Levraz "A breath-taking close-up of womanly lives" Somewhere in Argentina, there is a quiet house, with open windows that let the wind in. In this house, there are women. They are mothers and daughters, aunts and sisters, who come together and share, creating an entity even stronger than family in the classical sense. It starts with death and ends with birth. The first scenes of this documentary pull you right in. With unusual closeness, you can distinguish a wrinkled foot held by strong hands. An old lady, in her nightgown and bedridden is having her exhausted body gently rubbed by her daughter. Words fail to convey the powerful sentiment provoked by this attentive care and love. The only other living beings that seem to be tolerated in this close clan are the silent majestic old grey cat that will glare at us without moving, and the slim and curious toe-sniffing dog. In the quiet house, the cycle of life takes place. Some of the women will move in, some of them move out. Filming close-ups of pieces of body, a shoulder with flying hair, tired feet, a treasure-looking hand, the camera creates blurry limits between the individuals of the house. They look alike to a point it makes them difficult to separate at times. The young director and camerawoman of this documentary, Julia Pesce, is actually a part of the family she follows during these changing times. It was a five-year long process, in order to have her family forget that she has holding a camera. This particularity will be immediately sensed, because there will be absolutely no barrier between these women and the spectator. If their world seems secret and sealed, we are welcomed into it, to be witnesses the passing of an old generation to a new one. With an invisible camera, blunt access to the realities of these women is made possible, and the result is stunning. Beautiful, sensible, and generous is definitely recommended to all women, your heart will cry and smile. If by any chance you meet Julia Pesce, you will see an adorable little boy in a baby-sling, the symbol of the new generation starting. Info and tickets here

Bill Drummond, the musician, the maverick, the man who burned a million pounds. Film review "Imagine waking up tomorrow and all music had disappeared" from Visions du Réel in Nyon 2015 Screenings today Sunday 19th April at 19:00 at the Théâtre de Marens and tomorrow Monday 10:00 at the Salle Communale.Click here for Info and Tickets Bill Drummond is no Gareth Malone. Malone, a British TV presenter, natty dresser and populariser of choral singing, travels around the United Kingdom encouraging workplaces to form choirs and inspires them to enter into competitions while filming their progress for a series of very successful TV programmes. The uplifting nature of these programmes have won Malone many awards and accolades. Whereas Drummond in the film, although he travels around the UK forming a choir of sorts, he does so in very different circumstances in the film, "Imagine waking up tomorrow and all music had disappeared" . The choir is made up of folk he finds along the way, and although he does occasionally enter into a few workplaces, all he asks if that the workers sing just one note or two. He then records the collective sound to be added to other recordings to make just one choral piece on its own. A sound that will be deleted after it has been played and never to be heard again. Drummond travels from place to place in a scruffy Landrover wearing an even scruffier long leather jacket as he cajoles and persuades members of the public to sing or make a sound for this experiment called The 17. Among the group he finds are nuns, taxi drivers, construction workers, children in a primary school and more, a diverse cross section of society. Although Drummond is a charismatic character - some warm to him and happily go along with his project, other are not so keen and they squirm with embarrassment. Drummond, a musician was once part of the band The KLF and in 1991 he was in one of the biggest-selling singles act in the world. In this film we see snippets of what his life for him was like then including the famous incident when The K foundation (an art duo consisting of Drummond and Jimmy Cauty), burned one million pounds sterling and filmed it all. The subsequent backlash and publicity surrounding it are shown in the film along with the obvious question being asked to the musician. Do you regret burning all that money? The premise and title of the film "Imagine waking up tomorrow and all music had disappeared" is Drummond's way of questioning our instant access via the Ipod, Iphone etc to music, does this ease of access mean that we don't stop to listen to the music around us any more? The sound of the street outside, the wind, the music in simple things such as the noise we hear as we change gear in a car or as in Drummond's case, the gear stick in his trusty Landrover. Director Stefan Schwietert follows Drummond as he pursues The 17 across the country, through urban and country landscapes and into Drummond's own personal space and into his home. We see his possessions, his posters, his books and remnants of his past, from his school reports to a print of an "epic video the band made". The 17 isn't the only music/ art project Drummond has instigated, he has done others around the world. This film is a fascinating and interesting insight into an extraordinary character. Whether you think the film fulfils the premise of the title, or whether this film will be just another self promoting publicity stunt for Drummond, you can judge for yourself. At the end of the film Drummond asks those who have watched the film to contribute to his world choir by singing something there and then in the cinema itself. Whether a usually reserved Swiss audience will take up his challenge, will remain to be seen.

With over 160 films to choose from at the Visions du Réel film festival this year, there is a lot on offer with films being screened from around the world. Many of the films are either shown in English or subtitled in English. Alongside the films, there are film workshops and conferences which are open to the public, even the local shopkeepers have got in the act by decorating their windows in the theme of the festival. Directors, producers, journalists, film reviewers, film buyers from TV stations and cinemas descend on the town for eight days of film related events. Tickets to all films can be booked online or at the box office. As in previous years, Living in Nyon will be reporting back from the festival over the next eight days and reviewing a selection of films. Film reviews - "Cyclique" - A fascinating insight into the bike courier world with a local perspective. "Die Letzen Gigolos - The Last Gigolos" - A touching, funny and poignant film."I sometimes feel like I am flying", reflects Caroline (bike "number 67"), one of the bike couriers in "Cyclique" a documentary focussing on the world of bike messengers in Lausanne. In the film we see the couriers shooting red lights, getting shouted at, chasing deadlines, picking up parcels from CFF trains, from local offices, large corporations and deluxe hotels whilst cycling up and down the hilly streets of the city. They struggle to find addresses or pick up points and work both day and night. This film which concentrates mainly on two long standing couriers, Caroline and Raphaël. The latter, a maverick as shown by his home life, he doesn't hide his heavy dope smoking from the camera or that he wants a change and wants out from his current situation. Yet the appeal of biking keeps hims on the road. "I love the idea of being on a mission". Caroline, although she too loves biking, "the feeling of freedom is addictive" is looking for a job that has more long term potential and continues the search for a job in journalism in between making deliveries. We also follows the training of a new recruit and see him learning the ropes. The film is superbly shot. The director Frédéric Favre was a courier himself for ten years and from the opening scene, the camera follows the bikers at their level, criss-crossing the city in all conditions, you can hear the wet pavements, the wheels of their bikes, the wind as they whizz to make deliveries and you can an almost feel the cold yourself as the bikers make deliveries in all weathers and return back to base, cold, wet and shivering. As to whether Caroline and Raphaël stay in the job that they have a love/ hate relationship with, you will have to watch the film itself. A fascinating insight into the bike courier world with a local perspective. Cyclique is in the Helvetique section of the film festival. Screenings Tuesday 21st April at 14:00 at the Théâtre de Marens and on Wednesday the 22nd at 16:30 at Grande Salle Colombière. Click here for tickets The two main protoganists in Cyclique, if not exactly at the start of their working lives, they are still young and have a lifetime of experiences ahead of them, whereas the two main male characters in "Die Letzen Gigolos - The Last Gigolos" directed by Stephan Bergmann are men in the third stage of their life. Retired with successful careers behind them, due to various personal circumstances these men have found themselves alone and lonely in their twilight years. However they discover that a new lease of life awaits them as they can be in great demand as hosts on luxury cruise ships, their job being to entertain the ladies on board by dancing with them each night. The superb opening sequence of the film shows one of the gentleman laying out a selection of ties for an upcoming cruise. "Light blue tie with pink stripes - youthful. Beige - modest and classy. Orange/ Blue - a club tie. Dark blue with green stripes -modest and refined". The film itself focusses on two particular men as we see them doing the rhumba, foxtrot and tango and other dances each night with a selection of different ladies. Life on board is a daily round of cocktails or wine in the afternoon, on board games, dips in the pool, trips out to various port of call and then dressing for dinner followed by dancing. We also see life below deck, staff cooking the guests' meals, ironing laundry, and taking German lessons so they can communicate with the guests. Not all of the men on board are ship's hosts, Some are there just for a holiday, but in conversation they reveal their loneliness. The men in particular, miss their careers and status that came with it. "I was a judge for 40 years "says one passenger "and in Germany I presided over major terrorism processes. When you turn 65, judges have to retire whether they like it or not. On the one hand you have a position that you curse, because you have body guards and such things, on the other hand you enjoy the importance and then one day, it's gone". "I was an attorney" says another, "and a good one, now I just whittle away my time going on cruises". Yet not everyone on board is melancholy, one guest, a mature lady is much more pragmatic about her situation, she embraces life on board by chatting to everyone, taking part in all the activities, dressing to the nines, dancing and flirting the night away. She catches the eye of one of the hosts and they make a handsome pair whirling and twirling across the dance floor. However, there are strict rules on the comportment of the hosts and above deck at least, flirting is a far as it can go and everything has to be "above board". What happens below deck and away from the camera's eye is left to the viewers' imagination. This is a touching, funny and poignant film and although perhaps a tad too long, is one definitely worth seeing. Screenings Tuesday 21st April at 16:15 at the Théâtre de Marens in Nyon and on Wednesday the 22nd at 18:00 at the Théâtre de Grands Champs in Gland. Click here for tickets Note there are free navette buses running between Nyon and Gland before and after the screenings. Full details on the festival website.

Living in Nyon has been skimming through the back copies of La Côte newspaper to catch up with the local news. Here is a small and eclectic selection of news items and information from the last few months. Don't forget, there is a Living in Nyon English column every Wednesday in La Côte newspaper. It can be found in the inside of the front page of the newspaper 20,000 residents In December 2014, a small ceremony was held in Nyon to welcome its 20,000th resident. The ceremony, attended by Mayor Daniel Rossellat and Mr Claude Uldry, (municipal in charge of contrôle des habitants), welcomed Filipe Mathez, the 20,000 resident to the town. Nyon has seen a substantial growth in its population over the past few years. In 1989, there were just 13,306 residents and 15,000 in 1995. According to the local authorities, Nyon is expected to have 24,800 residents by 2020. Passenger Submarine under the Lake! Did you know that at la grande Expo 64" (the 5th national exhibition in Switzerland in 1964), one of the main attractions of the exhibition was a massive mésoscaphe/ submarine ? This submarine took paying passengers and members of the public on trips under Lac Léman! Sadly, this submarine is no longer operational, but you can discover more about it, see the publicity posters for these underwater trips, see the inside of a mésoscaphe and learn lots more about life on and in the lake itself at the museum. See website here (info is in English) Note - there will be a presentation to the public on Monday 2nd March 2015 at 2015 to show the plans for the projected extension to this museum. There has been some controversy over the design of this planned extension. Take a look at the designs entered into the competition here and see the proposed winning design here. What do you think of this design? You can have your say at the presentation. First Class Carriages due on Nyon - St Cergue train line First class carriages are planned to be installed on the Nyon- St Cergue train line by December 2015. "Aunt Agatha" biscuits now made in Nyon! "Tante Agathe" biscuits, the Swiss biscuit company, celebrated its 60th anniversary last year and has now moved its production from Lonay to a factory on the route de Stand in Nyon. Info from other news sites - With the ski season well and truly upon us, Swiss Info (the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation) asks the question "Are Swiss Ski Slopes too fast?" See video here. Go Junking/ Brocante hunting with Lisa! Are you a collector of brocante/ antiques and do you enjoy enjoy bargain hunting when looking for second hand items? Looking to meet some new people? Then you might be interested in Lisa's "junking+ mornings and days out in Geneva. See details here The Nursery and Playroom at Geneva Airport The website called Lausanne Mom has recently updated one of its articles on the Nursery and Playroom at Geneva Airport. This is a useful article for parents who are travelling with young children and flying out of Geneva!

André Borschberg, one of the two pilots currently attempting a round-the-world solar flight in the plane "Solar Impulse", was recently honoured in Nyon and bestowed the award of "bourgeoisie d'honneur de la Ville". This award was given for his pioneering spirit, his bravery, his contribution to society and for flying the Nyon/ Vaud / Swiss colours in all his endeavours! Since 1719, the award has been handed out by the town to just ten people. André Borschberg has lived in Nyon since 1987. André is an engineer by education and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in management science. His passion for aviation and his interest in innovative solutions led him to team up with Bertrand Piccard to direct Solar Impulse. Fascinated by aviation from his earliest youth, André Borschberg, born in 1952, trained as a pilot in the Swiss air force. Today he holds an assortment of professional airplane and helicopter pilot’s licences and also does aerobatics in his spare time. Photo above - André Borschberg © Solar Impulse | Revillard | Rezo.ch Yesterday (17 March ) the Solar Impulse plane landed in Ahmedabad after crossing the Arabian Sea, it had completed the longest distance ever flown by a solar airplane in aviation history. You can track the plane's journey and find out discover more about this fantastic project on the Solar Impulse website you can also follow both pilots Tweets! The plane has now just landed (18 March) in Varanasi and will be heading off to Mandalay in Myanmar tomorrow morning and will be piloted by Bertrand Piccard. Lausanne born Bertrand Piccard comes from a famous family of adventurers. If you want to know more about their history, you can read and discover more about them in the excellent Auguste and Jacques Piccard collection in the Musée du Leman in Nyon. Photo above - Courtesy Solar Impulse RTW Photo above - Courtesy Solar Impulse - RTW Local dancers give farewell to pilot André Borschberg before take-off from Ahmedabad.

The next Geneva English Drama Society production is Dancing At Lughnasa by Brian Friel. This play has won the Olivier Award, the Tony Award, the Evening Standard Award and the New York Drama Critics Award. Synopsis below. Michael, now a young man in 1960, relives the late summer days of 1936, when music on the radio seemed miraculous, the church seemed infallible, and love briefly seemed possible for his unmarried mother and her four sisters. On the west coast of Donegal, the five brave and hardworking Mundy sisters welcome home their frail elder brother Jack, who has re-turned from a life as a missionary in Africa. The summer is made unforgettable by three arrivals: Uncle Jack, Michael’s prodigal father Gerry, and a wireless radio - the family’s one luxury. Unbeknownst to the sisters, tragic and brutal events will make this the last time the family would all be together. They step out into the afternoon September sun to enjoy their tea, unaware that this is the best it ever will be. Cast members are: Cathy Boyle, Andrew Brookes, Viki Lazar, Catherine Monagle, Daire O’Doherty, Gemma Parkes, Colin Paterson and Béibhinn Regli. The play is directed by Charles Slovenski Dates - 3- 7 March Tuesday-Friday 20:00 Saturday 19:00 Théâtre de l'Espérance, 8 rue de la Chapelle, 1207 Geneva Tickets: CHF 30 (seats numbered), students CHF 20 on presentation of student card (must be purchased at the theater on the night of the show) For more info: See GEDS To buy tickets: See here

The Geneva English School, set in lovely grounds in picturesque Genthod with view of the lake and Mont Blanc, is holding an Open Day on Saturday 14th March from 09:30 - 12:00. The school is a not-for-profit co-educational international school for children aged 3 to 11. The Open Day is is an ideal opportunity to visit the school, see the classrooms, talk to the headmaster and find out about the school's curriculum which is based on the English National Curriculum and which includes a strong French programme for all groups throughout the week. It's also a good opportunity to check out the Library Learning Centre with its cosy new reading room which was opened by children's author Anne Fine in October last year. Register here Photo above - A room with a view and a choice of children's books! Online reading and a cosy sofa!