Today, the 27th February is the last day to register for the Geneva Writers' Conference which will take place this weekend, the 2 - 4th March 2018 in Geneva. There will be workshops on fiction writing, non-fiction including travel writing, workshops entitled "Living Locally, Writing Globally", and "Secrets of the Book Trade". There will be a panel discussion entitled "Are You Speaking My Language?" for writers interested in translating or translators interested in writing. There will also be a workshop called "Rules, Tools, and Maybe a Bully: How to Write for Kids" and another called "Creating Character" in fiction and there will also be workshops on poetry and lots more. See previous article here. Photo above - Writers registering for a previous Geneva Writers' conference.

The wind is already starting to produce some amazing scenery down by the lake. Icicles are forming all over the place due to the strong Bise wind that is blowing across the water. Living in Nyon went down to the lake this afternoon (26 Feb 2018) and filmed some of the scenery. You can hear the wind blowing into the microphone! Check it out on the Living in Nyon Facebook page.

Météo Suisse is predicting cold temperatures over the next few days and even lower temperatures for next week. Here are a few suggestions to brighten up the cold winter days. If you missed out on Carnival celebrations in Switzerland this year (see the photos of Sion carnival from our sister site Living in Sion), then there is a chance this weekend to see Carnival across the lake in France in the town of Evian. There are regular boats running from Lausanne which time in with the celebrations (the last boat leaves at 19:20 from Evian on Saturday). Note: boat and train times are all listed on the CFF timetable. If you prefer to stay inside and in the warm this weekend, check out the new exhibition at the Château de Nyon called "Les Affinités Electives" - a new collection of glass, ceramics and art. Over at the Château of Prangins, the "Swiss Press Photo 2017" exhibition continues until Sunday the 4th March, so there are just a few days left to see the nation's best press photographs of 2016. Details here.Films at cinema Over at the cinema in Nyon, the film "The Pentagon Papers" (The Post) is screening (in English) on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th at 18:15 and the Monday movie in English on the 26th February at 20:30 will be "Phantom Thread". Full details here Music Les Hivernales has now begun - the winter rock festival in Nyon - full details hereFlea Market this Sunday Finally, if you can brave the cold, it's the monthly flea market by the lakeside in Nyon on Sunday 25th February. Wrap up well and you might find a bargain! Photo above of a calm lake in Nyon - C.Nelson-Pollard. Note: This was originally posted on Instagram (under Living in Nyon).

Les Hivernales, the first of Nyon's four main festivals begins on Thursday 22nd until the 25th February. Bands and artists from Denmark, Australia, U.S, Switzerland in various venues around the town. Full programme here Please note Living in Nyon is taking a short break, the next post will be on Monday 18th February.

The Geneva English Drama Society will present "The Importance of Being Earnest" from the 27th Feb to 3rd March 2018 in Geneva. Description below. Tickets here. A trivial comedy for serious people. This iconic piece of English theatre is an effervescent, laugh out loud comedy of manners. With incisive wit and gentle disdain, Oscar Wilde affectionately satirises the intricate social customs and futile pretentions of the English aristocracy in his most celebrated play. Upper-class bachelors Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing concoct false identities for social convenience as well as to win over their ladyloves, Gwendolen and Cecily. But they must also manage Gwendolen's formidable and hilariously pompous mother, Lady Bracknell, and a host of characters who contribute wittingly or unwittingly to the deception. Director Jenny Buffle’s slightly more modern setting lends a delicious new take on this much-loved classic. So don’t miss this blockbuster and decide for yourself whether “Bunburying” really does have a hidden message! Cast: Gillian Barmes, Emily Boyle, Frances Favre, Tim Goodyear, Stuart Hartley, Angus Macdonald, Mary Stuttard, Christopher Walters, Martin Walthall

After school care until 18:30 - Open Days coming up on 10th Feb, 3rd and 17th March 2018 In December 2016, a new Montessori school called the "Secret of Childhood" opened in Nyon (see our previous article here on the school). The school, catering for 3-6-year-olds, has recently recruited two new teachers and will open a second large classroom to accommodate more children. The Montessori method of teaching will be taught in both classrooms. Conveniently situated The Secret of Childhood school is in the Petit Prairie area of Nyon which has a variety of restaurants and shops, a gym, and the Portes de Nyon shopping area opposite. Since the Montessori school opened last year, building has almost finished on the “Reposoir” nearby. This will house a new primary school and a sports complex, with a park and a man-made lake. Children at the Secret of Childhood school will be able to play in the park area and have picnics outside in the warm weather. Encouraging independence, discovering the world at a young age. Director of the school Guadalupe Torrevillas told Living in Nyon: "In the school, we like to teach independence in children, from tying their own shoelaces to preparing them for later school life. We do some collective teaching in the classroom but as each child is unique, we let them choose an activity that they are interested in and allow them to work on it as long as they like. Children learn while playing. We encourage the children to dress for all weathers, and we take on them on little trips around the town, including on public transport to encourage them to discover the world outside the classroom". Photo above - the bright, modern new classroom. Sensorial bells in the new classroom - Learning materials at the Secret of Childhood school We have a calendar of events for the entire year, so the children and parents know what activity is coming up. On Wednesday afternoons we explore the surrounding area and interact with members of the public. Recent trips have been to the château or to the supermarket to learn how things work. We also have a field trip twice a year - last autumn we went to the Arboretum in Aubonne and this year we will go to Papiliorama. We are living in an international community here in canton Vaud and we encourage diversity in the school - we have children from all over the world. As we are a small school we can also solve any problems that might arrive very quickly. If a child is sick, all the parent has to do is send me an SMS, they don’t have to go via a school secretary. Classes in English and French The school offers half-day and full-day programmes from Monday to Friday throughout the school year and follows the holiday dates of the Canton of Vaud. Classes are taught in both English and French. Lunches are provided and the school has obtained the "Fourchette Verte” label. Children can also bring in their own lunches. Great for working parents The school itself is in a pedestrianised car-free zone (parking for parents nearby) and is ideally situated for parents to drop children off at school and then be on the A1 motorway within a few minutes. It is also next to a bus stop, with buses connecting to and from Nyon railway station on a regular basis. The school is open until 18:30. Modern classroom with a lovely old clock! Ready and waiting for the new children.

The Fanfare (brass band) of Nyon will perform two concerts this weekend on Sat 10th at 20:15 and Sunday 11th February at 17:00. The concerts will take place at the Théâtre de Marens in Nyon. Full details here.

If you are looking for a bit of sunshine and fun this weekend, how about travelling to Sion in the Valais? It's around one hour 40 minutes on the train from Nyon and a little less to drive there. Météo Suisse is currently forecasting sunshine in the afternoon for Saturday 10th February, perfect for the Carnival celebrations! Carnival is a big event in the Valais and in Sion, it lasts over 6 days. On Saturday there will be a big carnival parade through the town with over 800 participants. There is a party atmosphere in the town, music from the many Guggenmusik bands and hundreds of people, either dressed in costume or on a themed float, take part in the celebrations. More details and timings on our sister site Living in Sion. Don't forget to "like" the Living in Sion site on Facebook too for info on what's happening in the town.

"Whether you are a published author or are just beginning to write, this is the place to be."On the 2-4 March 2018, the Geneva Writers’ Conference will take place at Webster University in Bellevue. This is just ten minutes from the centre of Geneva and is easily accessible by car or train.The conference aims to unite writers from around the world for instruction, community, and feedback. Conference teachers share their knowledge, skills, and perspectives on writing as an art and as a profession. Photo above - a workshop from a previous Geneva Writers' conference Among the names who will be leading sessions at the conference are British writer, Bernadine Evaristo; Hungarian-born poet, George Szirtes; author of over 30 children’s books, Rachel Vail; and BBC producer, author and historian, Colin Grant, author of eight novels, Louise Welsh, author Courttia Newland, travel writer, Diccon Bewes author Susan Jane Gilman and many others. Other instructors include leading writers of fiction, non-fiction, travel and poetry, as well as representatives of literary agencies and publishing houses. Photo above - wine and writers together! ‘The conference brings together English-Language writers, from aspiring authors to multi-published ones, for a weekend of instruction, support and creativity. We offer workshops, networking and discussion,’ said Katie Hayoz, conference director. "Whether you are a published author or are just beginning to write, this is the place to be". The first Geneva Writers’ Conference took place in 1998, organised by non-fiction author, Susan Tiberghien, who founded the Geneva Writers’ Group 25 years ago. “We have been bringing together Geneva-based writers from around the world for twenty years. The conference is a space where writers can exchange experiences, skills and perspectives on writing as an art and a profession.” The Conference begins the evening of March 2nd and is open anyone who has an interest in writing. Registration costs 250 CHF for the weekend, including refreshments. Hot meals are available at an extra cost. The conference offers a high-level experience for an affordable price. For the full list of instructors and to find out more about the conference click here.

Do not be alarmed if you hear sirens at around 13:30 today, the 7th Feb 2018. You are not required to respond to them. This is the annual test of sirens across Switzerland More info here

Interview with professional translator Laurent Sfumat Even if you have lived in French-speaking Switzerland for a while and you can converse in French with relative ease, writing in Swiss French is a different matter, particularly when it comes to writing official letters or business correspondence. There are certain rules and etiquette that need to be observed, some phrases in English don’t necessarily work in French and vice versa. Translating is a skilled job and best left to the experts and not Google translate! Living in Nyon spoke to Laurent Sfumat, a professional translator who has been in the business for over 15 years and works with non-francophones helping them with their translating needs. Laurent explains; “Getting the right wording is obviously important. Whatever I am working on, I take an initial look at the overall piece to get a feel for it. I can quickly see what needs to be cut or added and I will adjust it accordingly. I have worked on everything over the years, from technical guides to brochures, contracts, websites and lots of correspondence. Documents -The Devil is in the Detail If you are signing a contract that is written in French in Switzerland, whether it is a contract for business or a rental for an apartment or house, you need to know what every detail means before you sign. If you are writing a letter to your landlord then you need to approach it in a certain manner. Emphasis is all. Translating CVs to small signs! I also help with translating Curriculum Vitae. Sending your CV in both English and French is a great help to Swiss employers and adds an extra level of professionalism to your application". Laurent does most of the work himself, though even he knows his limits. "The only time I outsource it is when the translation is from French into English. I normally send the text for translation to an English mother tongue translator and then ask an English-speaking editor to proofread the resulting translation. I know about deadlines and fast turnarounds. I have worked with a variety of clients from the World Economic Forum to translating official cantonal work, but no job is too small. I have even translated notices for entry halls in buildings for property owners such as, “please remove your ski boots before walking up the stairs"! In Switzerland work is usually charged by the character which can be confusing. However, Laurent charges per word which makes it easy for clients to work out the cost. Note: Laurent translates from English into French and Italian into French. Living in Nyon has used his services in the past and can recommend him. You can contact him here at A à Z traductions Photo above - Laurent of A à Z traductions

The next Monday movie in English to be shown at Nyon's Capitole cinema will be "Pentagon Papers" (The Post) starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The film starts at 20:45. See the trailer below. The film "Three Billboards outside Ebbing Missouri" will be shown in English on Saturday 3rd at 17:30, Sunday 4th and Tuesday 6th February at 18:30 at the Rex Cinema in Aubonne