Nyon's neighbouring village of Prangins houses a national treasure - the Château de Prangins. It is the largest 18th century castle open to the public in Switzerland and is filled with Swiss History up to the present day. A Swiss National Museum since 1998 and one of only three in Switzerland, as well as the National Museum Zurich and the Forum of Swiss History Schwyz. Dedicated to showing us the diversity of Swiss identity through its range of exhibitions, it tells us the story of life in Switzerland in the 18th and 19th centuries, addressing artistic, cultural and social issues. Not only does the Château de Prangins offer permanent and temporary exhibitions, they also offer a host of other services. Read on to find out more. Grounds The Château de Prangins has extensive grounds including a park, meadow orchard and the largest historical kitchen garden in Switzerland. The Kitchen Garden is a permanent open-air exhibition.  It was created in the 1700s to feed the workers who built the Château and is now devoted to preserving traditional regional plants and showcasing domestic biodiversity. @Château de Prangins Tours Many of us wanting to learn more about the history and culture of Switzerland can be put off from visiting the museum because of a possible language barrier. Perhaps preferring instead to just walk the beautifully kept grounds. It may surprise some to know that the Château de Prangins is committed to widening their reach to visitors to create an inclusive experience. How? Well, by offering their services in multiple languages with English being a focal one. The Château de Prangins offer seven guided tours for the following exhibitions listed below. They have 14 tour guides available who speak a multitude of languages including French, German, Italian and English. Not only are their guided tours in English, there are also workshops in English. These include Dyeing with wild flowers and The magic of blue with various indigo plants for adults and Let the journey begin! A Fun Exhibition for Families, a permanent exhibition specially designed for children. Click here for more information. What is Switzerland? (from18.06.2022) Accrochage - Impressions végétales Ovid in the Jura The Kitchen Garden  Chintz. How a Fabric Conquered the World Let the journey begin! A Fun Exhibition for Families Noblesse Oblige! Life at a Château in the 18th Century Discovering the Enlightenment There is also an event for Swiss National Day (1st August) and admission will be free! @Château de Prangins Rooms for hire The Château has three very different rooms that can be hired for a conference meeting or a cocktail reception. All three spaces for hire offer something unique, you can check them out here . You can also combine your meeting or event with a guided tour, a creative workshop and a meal or apéro at the Café du Château. Salle des belles pierres Salle du Potager Salle de la tour @Château de Prangins Birthdays Why not celebrate a birthday at the Château? They offer bespoke, specially designed activities including fairytales and animations for ages 4-16 years old. You can tailor pick the workshop best suited to your child's age group. For more detailed information co ntact the Château de Prangins team directly at info.prangins@museenational.ch . Café du château Located in the former servants' wing the restaurant offers a seasonal menu. The historic Kitchen Garden provides the restaurant with vegetables, aromatic herbs and fruits for their menu of the day and desserts. The best part of the Café is the panoramic terrace with a stunning unlimited view over the extensive estate and Lac Léman. Perfect for a sunset apéro or Sunday Brunch.  @ Café du Château The Café du Château is also available for private bookings and is able to host 60 people inside and 150 people on the terrace. It makes the perfect venue for a cocktail reception or special dinner party. This should give you plenty of reasons to head over to the Château du Prangins and check out their exhibitions and everything else they have to offer. Visit their website for more information.

"China's Van Goghs", "The True Cost of Fashion" and "The Darjeeling Limited"  to be screened next week. The Château of Prangins (in collaboration with Nyon's Visions de Réel documentary film festiva l), will hold three open-air screenings on Thursday 30th August, Friday 31st August and Saturday 1st September at 20:45. These films will be screened in version originale (English) and will be sub-titled. Entry to each screening CHF10 including guided museum visit (see below). Tickets and more info here On Thursday 30th the film will be "China's Van Goghs" In 1989 in the village of Dafen in China there were 20 painters/workers copying oil paintings and making reproductions of famous artworks. Today there are over 10,000. This film was reviewed by Living in Nyon in 2017  and said it was "a fascinating look at the extraordinary life of these painters and of contemporary life in China". On Friday 31st the film will be "The True Cost of Fashion" by Andrew Morgan. See trailer below. on Saturday the film will be "The Darjeeling Limited". Before each screening, for those interested, at 19:00 there will be a guided tour of the current exhibition at the château entitled "Indiennes. Un tissu révolutionne le monde !" "Chintz, a material that changed the world".  There will also be a brief presentation of each film by a representative of the Visions du Réel.

Get ready to spruce up your winter garden routine this Sunday at the Château de Prangins, as the  garden curator Stéphane Repas Mendes, dishes out invaluable gardening advice in two engaging guided tours. From soil cover to stubborn weed remedies, the tours are filled with practical insights and expert guidance. @ Château de Prangins Winter Practices in the Vegetable Garden Offering tips and the steps for preparing your vegetable garden before the winter break. Topics covered: Gardening Soil cover Composting Protection Pruning Sunday 12th November 2023 11:00 - 12:00 Ticket Price is 10CHF or is included in the Entry Price Good Advice from the Vegetable Gardener Get some tips, tricks and answers to your burning vegetable-related questions like: How deep should you sow your beet seeds? How to get rid of a stubborn weed? As well as practical advice related to the season. @Château de Prangins Sunday 12th November 2023 12:15 - 12:45 Ticket Price is 10CHF or is included in the Entry Price Coming Up Next Week Swiss Press Photo 23 Step into the captivating world of the Swiss Press Photo 23 at Château de Prangins, showcasing where the lens captured the essence of the year 2022. This compelling exhibition features 130 poignant images, spotlighting the most significant moments captured by both international and national press photographers including the war on Ukraine, Climate Change and societal subjects such as undeclared agricultural workers. Running from 17th November 2023 until 25th February 2024 Read more about the Swiss National Museum, Château de Prangins and all they have to offer in our previous article .

With all the rainy weather recently, here is an idea of a great activity to do this coming Sunday 2nd October. It's all about EATING at the Château de Prangins for Swiss Castle Day. Taking place between 10:00 and 17:00, the best part, admission is free! Read on for more information on what's happening on the day. Vegetable Market All Day Enjoy a glass of freshly pressed apple juice and learn about lacto-fermentation. There will also be harvest from The Kitchen Garden on sale all day. The Kitchen Garden is a permanent open-air exhibition created in the 1700s to feed the workers who built the Château. It is now devoted to preserving traditional regional plants and showcasing domestic biodiversity. La Salon du Chocolat 14:00-17:00 Learn all things chocolate and Swiss from the exposition What is Switzerland? . There will also be a quiz, as well as a tasting from Club des Passionnés de Chocolat de Genève. The Kitchen Garden - 13:45 onwards (45 minute slots) A chance for your kids to explore! Children from the age of six are welcome at the Salle du Potager and will be shown around the gardens and the museum. It is a great opportunity for parents to take a guided tour while the kids are occupied. @ Château de Prangins Guided Tours Schedule (available in French and English) 11:00    Au  Potager (F) 11:00    In The Kitchen Garden (E) 14:00    Le chocolat. C'est suisse? (F) dans l'exposition La Suisse. C'est quoi? 14:30    Chocolate: Is it Swiss? (E) in the exhibition What is Switzerland? 15:00    C'est à ce prix que vous mangez du... chocolat (F) dans l'exposition Indiennes. Un tissu à la conquête du monde 15:30    That's the price of chocolate! (E) in the exhibition Chintz. How a Fabric Conquered the World 16:00    Le chocolat. C'est suisse? (F) dans l'exposition La Suisse. C'est quoi? Don't forget to pass by the Café du Château for a tasty treat or drink for a break between all the exploring. The Café also offer a Buffet Brunch on Sundays. Read our previous article on all the Château de Prangins has to offer.

This Easter, Nyon is offering a mix of creative workshops, playful discoveries and a town-wide egg hunt, giving families plenty of ways to get out and explore during the school holidays. Museums Turn into Playgrounds for the Holidays Across Nyon, the Musée romain, Musée du Léman and Château de Nyon are opening their doors to younger visitors with a series of hands-on workshops. Around a dozen activities are planned, designed to help children discover exhibitions in a more interactive way. At the lake museum , they can go behind the scenes of the aquariums, learn about ecosystems like plankton and even take part in creative workshops such as shadow play or Japanese ink art. At the Roman Museum , it’s a step back in time; from creating mosaics and pottery to exploring the amphitheatre and even crafting a gladiator’s shield. Over at the Château , the focus shifts to imagination where they can decode graffiti in the old prison walls, design fantastical animals inspired by artworks, or experiment with light and shadow in the attic spaces. Part of a Bigger Cantonal Programme These activities are part of PâKOMUZé, a wider initiative bringing together more than 40 museums and heritage sites across the canton. Running from 3 to 19 April 2026 , it’s designed to make museums more accessible and engaging for families during the Easter holidays. Some workshops require advance booking, so it’s worth checking ahead if there’s something specific your child wants to try. Click here for more details. An Easter Egg Hunt Across the Town At the same time, Nyon is turning the town itself into a playground. From 31 March to 14 April 2026 , families can take part in an Easter egg hunt organised by the Ville de Nyon . The concept is simple: Pick up a clue sheet (download HERE ) Visit participating shops around town Spot the hidden wooden egg in each one Receive a small chocolate reward Each stop also includes a QR code, giving participants the chance to enter a prize draw to win “Only Nyon” vouchers. It’s an easy way to explore the town centre while supporting local businesses AND keeping younger participants entertained along the way. A bit of culture. A bit of movement. And, of course, a fair amount of Swiss chocolate.

When people think of Paléo, they usually picture the big moments. The headline acts. The crowds. The lights and music. The long queues for food that somehow still feel worth it. What’s easier to miss is everything happening behind the scenes. Because Paléo does not run on music alone. It runs on people. Paléo @Anne Colliard Each year, the festival is powered by nearly 5,500 volunteers, with 47 bars, 136 food stands, more than 250 concerts and shows, and around 250,000 festivalgoers across six days and nights. And for many of those volunteers, it is not just a shift. It is an annual ritual. More Than a Beer Stand I spoke to one volunteer, Tom Buck from the FC Gingins Bar du Midi tent last year, who has been helping at Paléo for around five or six years. For him, it started with something simple, it was already part of his local life. He grew up knowing his football club had a stand at the festival. Then one year, he and some teammates decided to sign up together. They’ve been doing it ever since. That sense of local continuity is common among volunteers. At Paléo, many of the bars are run by associations, and the festival pays a percentage of the profits back to those local groups. That means the hours spent serving drinks help support sports clubs, youth activities and other community organisations long after the festival ends. What Volunteering at a Bar Actually Looks Like From the outside, it can look like volunteers are simply pouring beers and having a good time. In reality, there is a lot more going on. There are the people at the taps, of course. But there are also runners keeping fridges stocked, volunteers collecting and sorting glasses, teams handling logistics, people guiding visitors, helping backstage, managing information points, supporting waste sorting, and making sure the whole site keeps moving. Paléo says roles and time commitments vary by sector, with some volunteer positions lasting from 8 days to 7 weeks, while festival-week shifts are typically at least 5 to 6 hours a day. At the FC Gingins stand alone, the team served 1,900 litres of beer on the Tuesday night last year. That number says a lot about the rhythm of the week. There is preparation before the rush after a major set on the Grand Scène. Refilling fridges. Stacking cups. Watching the clock. Then suddenly, the crowd arrives all at once. It is part choreography, part chaos. Themes, Costumes and Controlled Madness One of the nicest details that came out of our chat was how much effort goes into the mood behind the bar. Each night has a theme, set by the team leaders. Costumes come out. Music plays when concerts aren’t on. Different bars compete with each other. Volunteers get into character and festivalgoers notice and enjoy this part too. It is still work, especially later in the night, but there is something very Paléo about making even the hard work feel playful. A Different Kind of Festival Experience Volunteering at Paléo seems to create its own time zone. You work late. Sometimes very late. There’s a staff and volunteer after-party once the concerts are over. You head home around six or seven in the morning while others are getting up for work. Breakfast shifts to mid-afternoon. For one week, normal life is suspended. And in that strange little bubble, people reconnect. Tom described it as a chance to press pause on the year and step away from everyday life and work. To catch up with people from the area. Some are close friends. Others are people you only see at Paléo. You spend an hour together behind the bar and somehow, that’s enough to pick things back up. That fits with how Paléo describes its volunteer culture too. Built on friendship, trust and a strong sense of belonging. Volunteer Loyalty That may be one reason so many volunteers come back. Paléo’s own press material says volunteer loyalty is a big part of the festival’s identity, and that a large share return year after year. The average volunteer age is 33.34, and 34% come from the Nyon district, with another 23% from France, 13% from Geneva, 11% from Lausanne and 18% from elsewhere in Switzerland. So yes, it is local. But it reaches well beyond Nyon. Being a volunteer does come with a few practical perks too; access to the festival, meals, drinks, and a handful of extras along the way. But that’s not really why people do it. It’s the experience of being part of something at scale. Seeing what happens behind the scenes. Finding your place within a system that only works because thousands of people show up and do their part. There are dozens of roles across the site. From bar service and logistics to welcoming the public or artists, managing access, supporting sustainability efforts, or even helping build and dismantle the festival itself. Some roles run just during the week of Paléo, others start weeks before and continue after. Which means there’s usually something that fits everyone - if you're there for the full experience or just a part of it. Not Always Easy to Recruit Of course, none of this happens automatically. Behind the scenes, teams are constantly recruiting and bringing in new volunteers. Paléo may be one of the most sought-after tickets of the summer, but volunteering still requires time, energy and a real commitment. The festival says many sectors still recruit mainly through word of mouth, though some also publish openings on the volunteer page from around the end of April. Volunteers need to be at least 18, speak and understand French, be fully available for the period required by their sector, and have valid Swiss health insurance. That partly explains why so many teams begin by looking close to home first. Sports teams. Friends. Friends of friends. People who already understand that this is not just about getting a festival wristband. It is about showing up for a group. The Community Spirit is Part of the Sustainability Story Paléo’s volunteer culture also sits inside a bigger story about how the festival sees itself. The festival has been certified as a Greener Festival and received the Community Action Award in 2025 for the social impact of its sustainability policy and its strong ties to local associations and community life. It also states that it has used 100% green energy since 2006, that 64% of festival waste is recycled thanks to 341 volunteers, and that all bars are run by local associations who receive a share of the profits. It also prepares around 50,000 meals each year for its roughly 5,500 volunteers, with an increased focus on seasonal and regional products. So the volunteer story is not a side note. It is part of the structure of the festival itself. You might not always notice them, but they’re part of every step of the experience. From arrival to the journey home, volunteers are what keep Paléo moving. Managing the crowds, helping people navigate transport and parking, answering questions, and keeping everything flowing in between. Here’s to the people behind it all!

From 17 to 26 April 2026, Nyon once again hosts Switzerland’s leading documentary film festival and one of the most recognised internationally. @Visions du Réel Not just for Film People If you’ve never been, it’s easy to assume this is “for cinephiles.” It is. But it’s also much more than that. Visions du Réel is built around real stories with films that explore lives, ideas and perspectives from around the world. The kind you don’t usually come across on mainstream platforms. And the atmosphere is surprisingly open. You can dip in for a single screening or stay for a discussion and then soak up the vibes around town. A festival that Puts Nyon on the Map Created in 1969, the festival has grown into Switzerland’s leading documentary event and a key date on the international film calendar. Each year, it brings filmmakers and audiences from across the world to Nyon, with many films shown as world or international premieres. Nyon becomes a hub of ideas, creativity and conversation, all centred around stories that reflect the world as it is, or as it’s changing. What to Expect this Year The 2026 edition marks the 57th festival, with a programme that typically includes: More than 150 films across different formats and themes Screenings throughout the day and evening Q&As and discussions with filmmakers Industry events running alongside the public programme Activities for younger audiences There are also the smaller moments that regulars know well, conversations outside venues and spontaneous recommendations. Easy to Access and Planning Your Visit Everything takes place right in town, with main venues just a short walk from the train station. You don’t need to commit to the full programme. Even one film is enough to get a feel for it. And if you’ve lived in Nyon for a while and never quite got around to going, this is your reminder. The programme is already live, so now’s a good time to pick a few screenings and plan ahead. You can explore the programme and book tickets via the official site: https://www.visionsdureel.ch/ Ticket Pre-sale at Place du Marché 2 in Nyon 31 March to 13 April Monday and Tuesday 14:00-18:00 Main ticket offices at Place du Réel 16 April – 14h00-21h00 17 - 25 April – 9h00-21h00 26 April – 9h00-17h00 This the official trailer from Visions du Réel to give you a feeling of what the festival is all about.

There are some initiatives that are easy to support, and this is one of them. This May, we’re encouraging residents and employees of the Nyon and La Côte region to take part in Steps for Cancer Support, a fun fitness challenge that turns everyday movement into free of charge support in English for people affected by cancer. Here’s what it’s all about. A Nation-wide Challenge with Real Impact From May 7-26, people across Switzerland will come together for the 7th edition of the Steps for Cancer Support Challenge, tracking their daily steps and raising funds for Cancer Support Switzerland. Last year nearly 2,000 participants joined the challenge, raising over CHF 350,000. These vital funds allow Cancer Support Switzerland to continue providing psychological, emotional and wellbeing support in English, free of charge, across Switzerland and neighbouring regions. The challenge is simple: walk more, move more and do it together with friends, colleagues or family members. Every Step Matters to Someone Behind every step is someone whose life has been touched by cancer. When Sam moved to the Lake Geneva region, she expected the usual challenges of living abroad; a new language, new systems, new routines. What she did not expect was a cancer diagnosis. “I remember thinking I don’t even know who to talk to.” Through a friend, Sam discovered Cancer Support Switzerland, a non-profit organisation founded over 25 years ago, when a small group of English-speaking cancer patients began meeting in a Geneva bookshop to support one another. Today, services such as professional counselling and coaching, support groups and wellbeing activities are offered free of charge and in English, both in person in Vaud, Geneva and Zurich, and online across Switzerland. For Sam, finding that support changed everything. “Joining a walking group helped me feel connected again,” she says. “It reminded me I wasn’t alone.” Join the Nyon Steps for Cancer Support Community. We’re encouraging people in Nyon and La Côte to sign up, form a team with friends and family, and take part in this year’s challenge. Locally, a number of Nyon-based companies including Edwards Lifesciences, Beckman Coulter and SCB have already signed up. The team at Living in Nyon will be stepping too! It’s a fun, inclusive way to get moving while building a sense of community, team spirit, and a little friendly competition. How to Take Part More information and registration: � https://www.cancersupport.ch � https://www.cancersupport.ch/steps-for-cancer-support If you or someone close to you has been affected by cancer, you can also contact Cancer Support Switzerland at 022 723 22 31 or email support@cancersupport.ch to speak with a trained professional counsellor and learn more about the support services available. If you’ve been looking for a way to get moving a bit more as the days get longer, this is an easy one to get behind. Join with friends, family, or colleagues and be part of something that supports others. As always, if you have an event, initiative or story you’d like us to share, you can submit it via our Community Events page or send us an email livinginnyon@gmail.com

Last weekend in Gland, a different kind of gathering was taking place. Dozens of people, children, teenagers, parents and retirees, gathered around small wooden boards, placing black and white stones in near silence. Some spoke French, others English, and some barely shared a common language at all. Yet everyone understood the same thing. The game. GO The event was organised by the Association Go Nyon , affectionately known as the “GOats”. What stood out was not just the game itself, but the atmosphere around it. At the entrance, participants chose a simple bracelet indicating their level, from complete beginner to experienced player, and then sat down to play with others at a similar stage. Within minutes, strangers were playing, learning, and sharing a laugh together. A Game You Might Not Know If you have never heard of Go, you are not alone. It is one of the oldest continuously played board games in the world, originating in China more than 2,500 years ago, with 46 million people knowing how to play it globally, yet it remains relatively unknown in the West. The concept is simple. Two players take turns placing black and white stones on a grid, aiming to control territory and capture their opponent’s stones. The rules are easy to learn, but the strategy can take a lifetime to master. @By Goban1 - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15223468 Where Everyone Starts Equal That simplicity makes it surprisingly accessible. At the tournament, children played adults, teachers faced their students, and beginners received help from more experienced players from the club. Volunteers, including young members moved between tables explaining the rules and helped newcomers get started. What made the event particularly striking was how quickly traditional hierarchical roles disappeared as adults were being taught by children. Around these boards, everyone was simply a player. A Club Built Around Curiosity The Association Go Nyon was created to make the game accessible to the local community, welcoming all ages and levels in a relaxed and social environment. They meet twice a week during the school year at The Clubhouse, Rue Nicole,3 Nyon Tuesday evenings: 18:00 to 19:15 Wednesday afternoons: 14:00 to 15:30 Sessions are mostly in French, but many members also speak English. Newcomers are encouraged to come along and try a session or two before deciding whether to join. Different Kind of Discovery For families in the Nyon region, Go offers something a little different. It is calm, strategic, and surprisingly social. A game where children and adults can sit down together, learn at the same pace, and occasionally surprise each other. No noise. No screens. Just a board, a few stones, and time. If you would like to learn more or join a session: Go Association of Nyon Learn about the game itself here Who knows. Your next favourite hobby might start with a single black stone on a wooden board.

It happens every year. Someone mentions the tulips in Morges. You think, we really should go this year . And then suddenly it’s mid-April and you’re checking to see if you’ve missed it! Well we're giving you plenty of notice to mark it in your calendars so you're right on time to catch the beautiful, colourful display. From 27 March to 10 May 2026 , ore than 140,000 tulips and nearly 350 varieties are planted in the Parc de l'Indépendance and around the old town. Not in a “formal garden” way. More like long stretches of colour that you walk through at your own pace. The Association Morges Fleur du Léman  organise the Tulip Festival and the Dahlia Festival every year. Free of charge and accessible to all, the festival is a beautiful part of the Spring season in the region What Else Is Happening at the Festival If you want more than just a walk, there’s a programme running alongside it. Pottery market (early April) Artisan market (early May) Small performances, workshops and family activities Food stands and weekend brunch options in the park For the full programme, visit the Morges Tourism Website Practical Details Location:  Parc de l’Indépendance, Morges Dates:  27 March – 10 May 2026 Entry:  Free Time needed:  1–2 hours Getting there:  Direct train from Nyon, short walk to the lake

The wait is over. The Paléo Festival has officially unveiled its line-up for 2026 and if you tuned into the live stream of the press conference yesterday, you’ll know… this one feels big. From global pop icons to cult legends and a strong Swiss presence, the 49th edition is shaping up to take over the Plaine de l’Asse from July 21 to 26, 2026  in true Paléo style. And while the names are grabbing headlines, there’s something else just as important right now: tickets . Because that’s really what this is about now. Not just who’s playing, but when you’re going . At the top, it’s a strong mix: Katy Perry Lorde The Cure Gorillaz Twenty One Pilots GIMS Alongside them, a programme that moves easily between pop, rock, hip-hop and electro. Orelsan, Vanessa Paradis, Morcheeba, Theodora, Amelie Lens, Bob Sinclar… and plenty more in between. Nothing surprising in the structure. But that’s also the point. Paléo knows exactly what it’s doing here. Big names to anchor the week. Enough variety to pull in different crowds. And just enough depth for you to discover something new once you’re there. The 2026 Programme You can download the full programme HERE If You Have Bon Flex Tickets… This Is Your Moment If you bought a Bon Flex voucher over Christmas , don’t wait. The exchange window is always short and the most popular evenings go quickly so lock in your evening. The exchange period is from   March 18 until midnight Tuesday 24 March 2026 . Redeem your voucher for a ticket to the evening of your choice and secure your spot. And if it was a gift for a loved one, don't forget to remind them! General Ticket Sales. Be Ready. For everyone else, tickets go on sale: Wednesday, March 25 at 12:00  (queue opens around 11:45) And if previous years are anything to go by, it will sell out fast. Very fast. And every year, it’s the same story. Tabs open. Screens refreshing. And a little bit of luck! The Numbers Behind It All 103 artists and groups 200+ concerts and shows Around 250,000 festivalgoers 6 days, 1 Plaine de l’Asse For more insights into the Paléo Festival, explore any of our previous articles . Simply search "Paléo" on our site and read all about festival's vibrant history and offerings.

Are you ready to step into the spotlight and explore the world of improvisation right here in Nyon? UnscriptedNyon , founded by seasoned improv maestros John Mikton , Derek Hill , and Shahin Tavakoli , is your ticket to a world of creativity, laughter, and community.In this article we bring you the essence of our interview with John Mikton, one of the founding trio, who shared his insights into the exciting journey of improv and how UnscriptedNyon came to life. Unscripted Nyon Unscripted Nyon John and Shahin crossed paths during their respective improv journeys at Association Vaudois des Ligues d'Improvisation (AVLI) , where they were part of Improv Nyon. After a year, they decided to embark on a new adventure, fueled by a shared passion for improv. People expressed a longing for English improv, and John and Shahin along with Derek were determined to fill that gap. There are a significant number of French improv teams in Canton Vaud and Geneva but the English-speaking community needed its own stage and so, UnscriptedNyon was created. D iscovering the Art of Improv Improvisation is a unique art form that thrives on openness, acceptance, listening, and trust. John describes four fundamental components of improv: Openness and Acceptance: There is no room for judgment. It's all about saying "Yes, and..." and embracing every idea without hesitation. Listening to Hear: Good listening is key. It's about truly understanding what your fellow performers are saying and building on their words. Collaboration: It's not a one-person show. Improv thrives on group dynamics, where everyone feels safe and included, and trust is paramount. Trust: Building trust takes time. Improv is about throwing yourself into the unknown, trusting your fellow performers, and creating something amazing together. Improv is more than just a performance; it's a journey of self-discovery, creativity, and community building. C reating a Safe Space Improv provides a safe haven for those seeking a creative outlet and a chance to explore new ways of communicating. It's a space where you can pause, reflect, and step out of your comfort zone in a supportive environment. The routines and sketches in improv are not just fun; they can be emotionally rewarding. Through movement and words, participants build a community and develop tools to navigate the complexities of life. John explained that in Luxembourg where he spent 5 years as part of an improv troupe, a few of the members were there with a prescription from their doctor - using improv as a form of therapy for burnout or anxiety. UnscriptedNyon's Approach Unlike French Canadian improv where you compete in a hockey rink with a referee and strict rules and routines, UnscriptedNyon focuses on theatre and improv games. The goal is not competition but rather a creative exploration in a carefree, safe environment. UnscriptedNyon offers a more relaxed, fun, and expressive experience. And yes, they're open to the idea of future shows at British pubs in the area! Building Community Through Improv UnscriptedNyon is free and open to all adults. It's about exploring a new medium and being spontaneous. Through improv, you'll not only have a blast but also gain valuable insights into effective communication, body language, and collaboration. Improv groups often become tight-knit communities where personal lives remain separate, but trust and camaraderie flourish. It's a space where you can leave your daily burdens at the door and embrace the present moment. If you're curious about improv, seeking a creative outlet, or simply looking to have some fun, UnscriptedNyon invites you to join their growing community. Say Yes, and sign up here today.