Interview with Peter Entell - U.S film director living in Founex Photo above - Peter Entell in Nyon's old town On the 6 th March, the film “A Home Far Away”, is set be screened in cinemas across Switzerland. There will also be an avant-premiere at Nyon's Capitole cinema on Tuesday 5th March at 20:00 . This film is mainly set in and around the Nyon area and was reviewed (click here) during the 2012 Visions du Reel film festival. In the second in our series of “Afternoon Tea with.. ” we spoke to Peter Entell, the film’s director. In this first part of this interview we discover more about this award winning U.S documentary film maker who lives in Founex just outside Nyon. In the second part of the interview we focus on his films. Entell, originally from New York first arrived in Switzerland in 1975 on August 1 - Swiss National Day. Photo above - Swiss National Day in Rolle “Everyone was dancing and singing and I thought, “everyone is so joyous, this is fun!” It was a great introduction to the country. I initially came over here because of a relationship, but then found work with U.N.H.C.R. (the United Nations Refugee Agency) as a sound recordist for their film department - we went to wherever there were refugee problems in the world. I had really hit lucky with such a job. After studying anthropology at an American university, I went backpacking across Europe with a friend. At one stage during the trip, we were sat in a café in Italy and chatting about what we were going to do with our lives. We joked about being film makers (both of us being passionate about film), and yet here I was, in Switzerland just a few years later, doing exactly that. I was being paid to learn a craft, ride in jeeps in Africa, travel around the deserts of Somalia, and many other places. For such a young man this was a fabulous experience, although I could tell that some of the films that we were making were there purely to “sell” the U.N. and we had to gloss over or simply not mention situations that were going on in certain countries. There is no doubt I gained valuable film making experience during this period but when the Belgian-Zimbabwe Friendship Association asked me if I was interested in making a film (“Moving on : The Hunger for Land in Zimbabwe”) about the independence of Zimbabwe, their request came at the right time and I readily accepted”. Generous people in film business Previously Entell had only been working with sound and editing and had never actually directed a film, but after having spent seven years watching others, he felt he had picked up enough knowledge to be able to make his own. “There are some very generous people in the film industry, individuals who are willing to share their expertise with you”. “Filming in Zimbabwe was extraordinary, I made several trips. I didn’t visit any of the usual tourist haunts, I lived in one area farmed by blacks whose farms were tiny little parcels of land, and then in the areas of white owned farms, their farms were made up of thousands of hectares, the country was going through a huge transition period at the time”. Being an independent film director - one of the best jobs in the world “For that first film I was on a huge learning curve, but it was my own. Being able to direct and be an independent film director is one of the best jobs in the world. You can choose your subject and how to cover it, plus you are usually with very talented people, and it can be a wonderfully creative process”. After that first film in 1982, Entell travelled to t he Inner Mongolia region of China and made three further films. “I learnt how to pitch for films, chase up proposals and source funding, to hustle and find out who would be interested in the subject matter. It’s a long, long process to getting a film made. You would think the process would be easier for me after all these years but it’s not. You may know more people and the door may open that little bit wider, but you still have to go through the whole rigmarole, you have to have a rock steady dossier, you still have to sell the film to people and convince them that you are the one to make it”. Switzerland a paradise for making movies “Having said that, it certainly helps living here, as Switzerland is a paradise for film making. There are so many structures that exist to help with financing. This is due in no small part to the film makers, who in the past have put pressure on politicians to support Swiss culture. “Swiss Films” the organisation inZurich, gives advice to film makers and helps promote Swiss films abroad. There are lot of resources to help filmmakers at a federal, cantonal and a communal level”. Unique to Switzerland “There is also another mechanism that is unique to Switzerland. If you are lucky enough to sell your film to Swiss television, firstly you receive money from the sale, then from the royalties on the film, and also from an excellent system called “succès passage antenne”. Every time one of your films is played on any Swiss TV channel, money is put aside in an account to develop your next film. This can add up to a significant amount of money. So when I begin to work on a new film, I don’t have to start at zero. In addition there is “success cinema” - for every ticket bought by the cinema-going public, the film maker gets a portion too. This is all supported by the Swiss government. The Swiss are naturally very proud of their Swiss made films. What’s next after “A Home Far Away”? Entell says he put so much energy in to each film, (they usually take 3-4 years to make) he usually is devoid of new ideas for a while after, but now he does have a concept for his next project. "I won’t elaborate too much, but suffice to say the film is going to be about the reaction of human beings to other speciesin certain situations. It will be much more innovative and perhaps more provocative than anything I have done before. It will involve the use of tiny, micro cameras, the technology of these has evolved so much in the past few years it means I can explore this subject in more depth. I think the young generation will be whooping with excitement at the subject, the older generation probably may not like it, we shall see”. Entell reflects “I hit lucky getting into the business when I did. Today there are thousands of great films out there, it can be hard for a film maker to distinguish their films between all the others. You have to be very solid and have lots of perseverance to work in this industry”. Entell is pleased that Nyon is host to Visions du Réel, the annual documentary film festival. "The town welcome filmmakers to this beautiful area, and we all get to watch extraordinary documentaries from around the world. When I’m not filming, I love hiking, skiing, and being part of local life. I don’t think I would fit into New York life any more, I love it here. Nyon is home now". Read on to hear more about some of Entell’s other films - “Shake the Devil Off”, “Josh’s Trees”, “Rolling” , “A Home Far Away” and how he uses a cameraman who lives in Nyon for many of his films.

Big names and smaller names at festival - Caribana often a springboard to greater recognition. Photo in banner- The band Animen from Geneva. Tinie Tempah - photo courtesy Caribana festival. The line up of bands and artists due to play at the next Caribana music festival (5 - 9 June) was revealed at a press conference in Nyon on Wednesday morning. As in previous years, the programme includes a mix of names from the well known artists: Kaiser Chiefs, The Kills, Tinie Tempah, 77 Bombay St, Fun, to artists who are not necessarily so well known, but are beginning to receive recognition in their field. The Kaiser Chiefs - photo courtesy Caribana festival. Caribana is often a good opportunity to see these bands up close when they perform in the small intimate stages on the lake side. The band Vintage Trouble who played at the festival last year (see our photos here) have now gone on to be a major name in the music world; one of their tracks is being used for the trailer to the BBC TV programme. "The Voice". Scottish rock folk band Kassidy, who played on the tiny beach stage at Caribana a few years ago have also achieved success since their performance. According to Caribana, bands to watch out for this year are Indie/ Rock /Pop band Imagine Dragons from Las Vegas, Rock N' Roll band The Jim Jones Revue and Andy Burrows from Winchester in the U.K and many more. The Jim Jones Review - Photo Courtesy Caribana Festival New this year to Caribana is a change of focus for the final Sunday. Instead of the previous Caribakids - a day for younger children, the day is now going to be dedicated to teenagers and has been renamed Caribateens. There will be a series of events for children aged 12- 16 , a DJ contest (inscription here), and a concert by the Swiss group Tweek.

"Maria "by Claudiu Mitcu - Next screening: Sunday 21 April, Capitole 2, 18:00 Film reviewed by Emma Johnson. Note: This film will be screened before the film "Tevas" (reviewed here in a previous post) Buy an online ticket for this film here is a moving and highly personal documentation of Maria's last moments in life. This eighteen minute film takes place in one small room, where Maria lies on her bed, still and frail. Yet life is in full force all around her - women come and go, paying their respects to her, looking after her and sharing memories. Maria is a tender account that reaches far beyond the particularities of Romanian customs - it captures the end of one life, while reasserting life's enduring strengths. While keeping vigil in this intimate space, the women reflect on children, age, life and the rites surrounding death. A discussion over how many masses one should do for someone who has passed away (various priests had recommended anywhere between 6 and 40 in a year) soon moves onto laughter regarding what another dying friend had said in relation to her inevitable end: 'I am moving on with my life'. This humour is one example of what makes this film empathetic and wonderful – laughter and life are literally juxtapositioned with death, as the frail Maria sleeps beside them. There are more considered and philosophical moments, where the women ask themselves who will take care of them when they arrive at a point so close to death. In this depiction of a very specific time and place, under very personal circumstances, there is universal reach. All of us will reach this end, all of us are bound to ask questions about it. But the warmth of this one room, filled with giggles, scolding, love and the other various manifestations of life, provides reassurance. It touches us and shows humanity's strength. In addition to the candles, prayers, incense and other rites, the camera also serves as part of the vigil. The filmmaker Claudiu Mitcu maintains the fine balance between being part of what is happening in Maria's room and documenting it – sometimes the women speak to the camera, sometimes they are observed. It is a respectful rendering of this woman's last moments. The end of the film comes abruptly, as the women list the things they will need for the burial and subsequent rites: a clay pot, a coffin ('This is the most important thing' one of them reminds the others), plates, garlic, tomatoes . . . This unexpected end, a black out, is a striking and poignant end to a film that provides a warming insight into an intimate life event.

There are two events coming up in the region that showcase Russian history, arts, music and culture. On Monday 18th March at 20:00 the Cinè Club of Nyon will show their last film of the season, a Russian film called ‘Kukushka’. Then on Friday22 and Saturday 23 March, "Ivan the Terrible’ by Sergei Prokofiev will be performed at the Grand Théâtrè in Genenva. More details of both the film and the Prokofiev performance below. Present on Monday evening at the Nyon cinema will be the Consul Géneral of the Russian Federation - Mr. Yuri Gloukhov. Mr Gloukhov will make a short introduction about the film to the audience before it is screened and will also host a reception after the film that will include a taste of Russian vodka! Trish Thalman, a contributing writer to Living in Nyon (she has reviewed many films from the Visions du Réel film festival) went to interview Mr Gloukhov to find out a little about the Consul himself and about the Russian community living in the area (both past and present). Mr Gloukhov is a member of the Russian Federation Diplomatic Service. Originally from Moscow, he has served with missions in Mauritius, Belgium, spent time in New York and has been in Geneva for two and half years. He is fluent in French and English. He greatly appreciates living in Geneva, for the natural beauty of the region with easy access to the outdoor life and splendid mountains. A great fan of opera, he is also interested in Baroque and Italian classical music. Dostoyevsky lived in Geneva. Lenin studied at its University. Geneva has welcomed a Russian community since the mid-1800’s, the time of Czarist Russia. The people who arrived were mostly of nobility and or wealth, and could afford to visit Switzerland as tourists for extended periods of time. They also came to study. At the end of the 1800’s, women and Jews in Russia did not have access to higher education so many came to study in Geneva and Lausanne, and some stayed in the region. Fyodor Dostoyevsky lived in Geneva in 1867. He and his wife had a daughter Sofia who was baptised in the Russian Orthodox Church with the ‘golden onion towers’, but she died at three months old. She is buried in Geneva. Lenin studied at the University of Geneva and returned to Russia as the Russian Revolution began in 1917. With the end of the Soviet Union, Russians began to have more open opportunities to travel and live in other countries. Geneva and Canton Vaud, along with the rest of Swiss Romande, have around 5000 permanent Russian residents living in the region. 30,000 Russian visitors to Geneva in 2012 Geneva recorded nearly 30,000 Russian visitors during the year in 2012, and especially during the Russian Spring Holiday from 1 – 9 May. The visitors come from the major cities as well as lesser-known regions of Russia. Many Russians come to Geneva for business, study and research. A number of the International Schools with boarding facilities in the region have seen an increase of a young Russian student population. The Great Russian artists, past and present, are well represented and embraced by people of the Geneva area through art, theatre, dance, music and literature. Mr. Gloukhov is interested in the film ‘Kukushka’ as an opportunity to present one aspect of Russian culture, which has a great history of filmmaking. It is also the first time the Consul General will welcome the Swiss, Russian and International film-loving community from the Nyon and La Côte region. Kukushka - A humorous and poignant film, it allows the viewers to see how war ultimately “falls upon the shoulders of every-day people” who live with the decisions made at the highest levels of government. The Russian filmmaker, Aleksandr Rogozhkin presents a view of ‘everyman’ during the 2 nd World War. See trailer of Kukushka film here Ivan The Terrible - an oratorio by Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) at the Grand Théâtre, Geneva Friday, 22 nd and Saturday 23 rd March, 2013 Conductor: Ferran Gili-Millera Tickets: CHF 15 and 20 from Ticket Office of the Grand Théâtre, This major oratorio about the first Tsar of Russia is dynamic, dramatic and grandiose. Several local choirs have combined to form a chorus of 300 singers. They will accompany a mezzo-soprano soloist and a bass soloist/narrator and an orchestra of 80 musicians, made up of much brass, percussion and timpani. This is a multi-media event, and very suitable for youngsters.

The exciting news was announced yesterday (March 13) that Gilberto Gil, world famous singer-composer and former Minister of Culture of Brazil will be coming to Nyon on Saturday 20th April for the world premiereof the film Viramundo at the Visions du Réel Documentary film festival in Nyon (19-26 April) "Viramundo" will be screened at 19:30 at the Théâtre de Marens and will be hosted by Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS). Gilberto Gil is the central character in the documentary. The filmmaker, Pierre-Yves Borgeaud and the producer Emmanuel Gétaz will also be present. A second showing of the film is scheduled on Sunday 21st April at 12:00 in the Salle Communale. In the event of an exceptionally high attendance, another screening of the film will also be given on Saturday 20th April at 22.15 on the day of Gilberto Gil’s visit. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with Mr Gil and the film makers. There will be another showing of the film the next day, Sunday 21st April at 12:00 at the Salle Communale. The complete Festival programme will be released on March 25th. As in previous years, Living in Nyon will be covering the entire festival, reviewing films and keeping readers updated with latest news. See trailer and description below of the film. Above - Trailer of ViramundoBelow is an explanation of the film "Viramundo" proved by Vision du Réel " A portrait of Gilberto Gil questioning the universality of his vision of the world" After decades performing in concerts before packed audiences all over the world, the Brazilian musician Gilberto Gil embarks upon another kind of tour. As the Brazilian Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2008, Gilberto Gil promoted his vision of a multicultural world; a world in which new technologies could become vectors of expression and cooperation for future generations. Are we ready to live together and share the same world? Can we preserve our cultures and prevent them from becoming dissolved, swallowed up by globalisation? Will the new technologies help us defend our local traditions? The film Viramundo follows Gilberto Gil on his tour exploring the Southern Hemisphere while raising these questions. “The destinations chosen are all linked historically. These countries have all suffered from European colonisation and in a certain way their future is linked”, says Gilberto Gil. “Who better than Gilberto Gil – a living legend, a model in terms of artistic commitment, and a figure embodying Brazilian multiculturalism – is able to raise these questions and seek an answer to them?” adds filmmaker Pierre-Yves Borgeaud. From post-apartheid South Africa to the despoiled lands of the Australian Aborigines, and on to Brazil and the region of the Amazon, this journey across the Southern Hemisphere is a living testimonial to Gilberto Gil’s vision for future generations: a diverse world, interconnected, a world full of hope, exchanges... and music!

Still above from the film "Northern Light" set in remote Michigan in the U.S - photo courtesy Visions du Réel. The signs have been erected around the town for the upcoming Visions du Réel film festival and shops have decorated their windows in red as part of this year's "See the town in Red" festival slogan. This festival is one of the major documentary film events in Switzerland and attracts big audiences and film professionals from around the world. However this festival is very much open to the public and this year, as in previous years, Living in Nyon's writer's will being reviewing films on this site to help guide readers through the vast choice of films on offer. Look out for the handy programme which has been distributed across the town and can be picked up at the festival. See Visions du Réel for details of all films, maps of venues, ticket info etc Still above from the film Northern Light - photo courtesy Visions du Réel Note: All films at the festival are subtitled in English or translated into English or are in English in their original version. Films vary in length from longer full length documentaries made by well known film makers, to first films made by young documentary film makers just out of film school. There are often discussions and debates held on site with the film maker after the screening of films, these can often be very interesting and just as interesting as the film itself! Living in Nyon spoke to Luciano Barisone, the festival director to find out about some of the films that are on the programme agenda this year. For those interested in environmental issues, the film " The Expedition to the End of the World" on T hursday 18th April is a "must see" film. See explanation here - "A journey outside the comfort zone of the Western Civilization. A group of people heads for the rapidly melting ice massifs in North-East Greenland. Geologists, artists, sailors and scientists face the daily problems of an outstanding challenge. The film manages to capture the breathtaking beauty of the world while asking us what we are willing to do in order to save it". See trailer below. Note: This film is a free screening and begins at 19:00 at the Théâtre de Marens. See map here. It will be followed by refreshments served offered by the town of Nyon. It is anticipated that there will be a big demand for this film so get there early to get a seat! There will be a second screening on Friday 19th at 14:00 at the Capitole 1 at the cinema in central Nyon. Film - Northern Light - "In a remote corner of Michigan, in the north-eastern United States, work is hard to find. The men cling to their passion for racing snowmobiles or cars; the women are housewives, cheerleaders or… bodybuilders. Over the seasons, an intimate fresco of the American middle class emerges through an impressionist portrait of three families. A great fly-on-the-wall documentary with epic qualities". Screening on Sunday 21st April at 21:30 at the Salle Communale and on Monday 22nd at the Capitole 1 at 10:15. Link to purchasing tickets online here See trailer below Film - The Laundry Room "A static journey of discovery into a rarely seen world inside Switzerland: the world of the socially excluded people. It is a rather black comedy set inside the laundry room of a Lausanne apartment block. The foundations of society itself are sketched out or perceived in this microcosm where dirty laundry is almost aired in public". Saturday 20th April at 14:00 at the Salle Communale and Sunday at the Capitole 1 at 19:30 This film will be subtitled in English. Link to purchasing tickets here Film - 10% The film "10%" asks the question "What makes a hero? What type of individual maintains the integrity to fight for what is just under any circumstances? What compels someone to jump into a river, risking his own life to save a stranger? Why, during World War II, did some Germans put themselves at risk in order to save Jews? 10% attempts to penetrate and understand the very makeup of the human soul". Although this film tackles an important subject this we film maker Yoav Shamalso includes comedic touches to the film. This film will be show on Saturday 20th at 16:30 at the Salle Communale and Sunday at the Capitole 1 at 12:15. More information and link to purchasing tickets online here See trailer below - More suggestions for films coming up here soon.

This week is the start of "antiracism week" across the country and there are a variety of events being held in Nyon to mark the occasion. One of these events is the presence of a CISEN ( Integration Commission) stall from 09:00 to 14:00 at the Saturday market in Nyon in which different nationalities will be present to say "Hello/Bonjour" to members of the public. These nationalities have been featured on poster campaigns across the town. Nationalities include Chinese, Sri Lankan, English, Portugese and more. The Living in Nyon editor will be at the stall from approximately 11:00 onwards. Come to find out about the cultural diversity there is in the town. You are also welcome to bring a snack (finger food) which represents your own country to share with others. See you there!

Photo above still from film. Photo below: Director Yoav Shamir in conversation with the audience after the world premiere of his film 10% here in Nyon. Film review "10%" - to be shown Sunday 21st April 12:15 at the Capitole 1 Buy a ticket here In the film " 10% " director Yoav Shamir, asks "What makes a hero?" and attempts to give an answer by taking us on a world wide tour from New York to the Congo, Slovenia, South Africa, Israel and Palestine. He tries to find a typical pattern in what makes a hero. In the film we meet many people along the way who have committed acts of heroism in various forms, from a guy in New York who threw himself under a subway train to save a life of someone who had fallen on the tracks, to a Belgian woman who hid Jews in her apartment during the second world war, to a white woman in South Africa who grew up protesting against apartheid and went against the grain of her peer group. This subject makes for a fascinating documentary. The characters, the heros that he speaks to are widely different; there is no common thread as to why each hero has gone the extra mile to help a fellow human being. The "hero" that Shamir seems to be most affected by is one of his "own", Yonatan Shapira, an ex-Israeli pilot who, like Shamir, trained with the Israeli army, but who then went on to denounce the Israeli government, to openly criticise them and accuse them of genocide, resulting in him being labelled a traitor in his own country but a hero elsewhere. This makes Shamir reassess his own position. He attempts to join Yonatan in a protest. There is a telling moment when Yonatan says to camera "you only need to taste tear gas in your mouth that was aimed at the Palestinians, to take that last bit of Zionism you ever had out of you". Shamir looks openly shaken. The film has a hint of self mockery and irony throughout but in this scene, the seriousness of what it really takes to be a hero is brought home to the director. This is a long film interspersed with research and comments from professors and scientists with their opinion of what makes a hero, some of these scenes could possibly be cut a bit shorter and wouldn't lose much in the telling. Nevertheless its is a fascinating documentary. Shamir himself is a hero for having made it.

If you are looking for a school for your child or want to know more about the educational opportunities available in Switzerland, then the Léman Expat Student Fair is a "must visit" event which will take place next week in Lausanne on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th March. Free entry by registering online in advance! (or pay CHF 10 on the day) Wednesday 13 March from 11:00 - 18:15 will be specific to the youngest students in kindergarten to pre-teen age. Thursday 14 March from 10:00 - 20:00 will be for students from teen-age up to university and graduate age. There will be information, presentations and informal discussions on international schools, local school system, academic support, all forms of special needs, education (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, intellectually gifted children, etc) during this one event. Discover and learn what's in store for students in Switzerland. Click here for the full programme and further details

El Gran Circo Pobre de Timoteo (Timoteo's Fabulous Ragged Circus) by Lorean A. Giachino Torens, Chile.Screening today (23.02.13) at Capitole 2, 14:00 Buy tickets to this film here Lorena Giachino Torens's documentary captures the remaining vestiges of a colourful and ragged circus that has spent the last 40 years traveling around Chile. The troupe is made up of a group of transvestites who have coalesced around René, the circus owner and irrevocable centre of their marginal community. Full of joy and threaded through with melancholy, documents a wonderful way of life that is approaching its end. Against the backdrop of faded circus materials, tatty caravans and the Chilean mountains, we see the joyous group preparing for shows, eating together and sharing problems – we are introduced to their family through their everyday lives. The ordinariness of life in caravans, putting up tents and rehearsals sits nicely beside the glamour of performance. However, this great motivating factor, this purpose, could soon no longer be available. Times are tough. Less people are coming to see the show – something we are reminded of as discounted prices are posted at the circus and René worriedly completes the accounts. It is understood that times have changed, that 'the audience is less naive', as one member of the circus puts it. It is a reminder that today's society seeks other forms of entertainment, that the time of being entertained by simple things has passed and that people have other necessities to direct their money towards. Yet René is determined to remain authentic and true to his circus, to not become 'bombastic' in any attempt to attract more people. A new tent is purchased, but as René states: 'Lots of light and lots of paint – that's all we need'. It is their bawdy and subversive performances that brings in the people that do come. There is a sad acceptance, a philosophical bravery captured in the documentary. René is well aware that 'everything in this life ends'. René is a hero for those who live on the sides of society, or on stage. His efforts to save this community and way of life in the face of an inevitable end is moving. Before them lies an unknown, far removed from the glamour and passion of performance, the bright lights and make-up and the thrill of the stage. It is acknowledged that 'An old man in a circus just makes a fool of himself', yet ex-circus people end up selling popcorn or magazines – an outcome that is recognised as sad by all. For while these people are accepted in the circus and have an important place within it, they are not as accepted in the outside world – this is seen in the difficulty of obtaining a Catholic priest to perform a service asking for blessings for the circus and a good tour – yet another attempt at prolonging their world. Tatty and ragged, but full of life, Timoteo's Circus presents tender hope in the face of adversity. So too does this documentary – against the bright materials, city and mountain backdrops we see this microcosmic universe play out. And we hope that it lasts a little longer and that René and his fellow artists die in a manner that they would wish – onstage.

Courtesy- cgn.chEaster Cruise On Lake Leman Why not enjoy Easter Sunday on a cruise around Lake Leman, with a delicious meal prepared specially for the occasion! The menu costs 55.- per adult and 27.50 per child (6-12 year old). P hone +41 (0)848 811 848 to book . For the complete menu, see here Circus Workshop During Easter Holidays Looking for something to do for your kids this Easter? L'Elastique Citrique, Nyon's own circus school proposes week-long workshops during the Easter holidays. Come and learn how to juggle, ride a unicycle, walk on a tightrope or climb on a trapeze throughout a week of fun and discovery. There is room left for the afternoon (1 to 5 p.m.) workshop for 8 to 13 year olds on both weeks. You can find more information and book here. Circus Starlight In Geneva With “Entresort” Circus Starlight presents their new show, “Entresort” in Geneva, until the 7th of April . An “entresort” is a sideshow in old funfairs, where the public would continuously enter the attraction at one end and leave at the other, discovering some strange and mysterious act inside- hence the name, entre-sort (enter-exit). This show is a modern retelling of this attraction. On stage, numerous doors lead to as many different memories and moments from the past, full of nostalgic acrobats, clowns and entertainers. More information here Circus Helvetia- Shows In Perroy And Mies Take your kids to a circus show by one of the best Swiss Circuses, Circus Helvetia, for a moment of magic and amazement full of acrobatics, unicycling, juggling and aerial acts. Circus Helvetia will be stopping in Perroy(near Morges) on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th , and in Mies(near Coppet) on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th . More information and more tour dates here. Jazz Concert And Local Wine Go and enjoy a nice glass of local wine under the Chateau de Nyon whilst listening to a piano, saxophone and clarinet trio on Thursday 28th March . The concert starts at 6.30 p.m ., booking required . More info here. Weekly Night Market In Coppet Every Thursday from 4 to 9 p.m. , local market in the port. Music At The Church Instrumental Ensemble “Le Choeur Brisé” (a pun on the broken choir/the broken heart) will be playing music by G.B. Fontana (1571-1630), with readings of sacred texts from different religious traditions on Friday 29th March at the Protestant Church in Nyon.( Rue du Temple , in the centre of Nyon). The concert is free and starts at 5 p.m.Flea Market In Rolle On Saturday 30th March , “A Coffre Ouvert”, the monthly flea market will take place around the Castle in Rolle. It's the perfect occasion if the weather is good for a nice stroll along the lakeside in Rolle.

There are a lot of activities going on in the Nyon and Geneva region at this time of year. Read on for a selection of these below. Winter issue of Hello Switzerland now out. The image above and in the banner on this post, is taken from the winter issue of "Hello Switzerland" magazine. This magazine is free to subscribers and contains a wealth of useful articles. This latest issue features an interview with a mountain guide (he gives advice on how to remain safe in the mountains), to an article on the night watchman of Lausanne cathedral. There is a dedicated section for the Romandie area too. Whether you have been here living in Switzerland for just a few months, or for many years, it makes interesting reading. Click here to find out more about this magazine and to subscribe. You can also read the articles in the magazine on line by clicking hereEvents coming up in the areaSaturday 8th December - Olivia Pedroli will be singing at the Usine a Gaz in Nyon at 20:30. For full details of concert click here For more info on the singer (in English) click here Thursday 6th December - Fashion event to celebrate 10 years of Karen Millen in Geneva plus - 20% discount of Autumn winter collection plus champagne and canapés will be served! Monday 10th December - Movie in Nyon in English, the comedy "Ted" at 20:30. Short synopsis - "As the result of a childhood wish, John Bennett's teddy bear, Ted, came to life and has been by John's side ever since - a friendship that's tested when Lori, John's girlfriend of four years, wants more from their relationship". La Côte Anglican Church- Sunday 9th December La Côte Anglican Church - Nativity Service performed by children at 16:0010.00 Holy Communion in Divonne celebrating Advent 2 and then 16.00 Nativity Service in Gingins See here for more detailsMorges 5th-9th December Christmas Market. The biggest covered Christmas market of French-speaking Switzerland in the wooden hall at Morges railway station. More than 190 artisans displaying their wares. More details click here Free entrance. Photo above courtesy - Morges Tourism Nyon 7th December - Trad Jazz at 20:30 at club 1306 in Nyon Group - The Fats Boys, an homage to Fats Waller. Full details see here