Swiss Days in Helvécia and Kecskemét

The Embassy of Switzerland in Budapest is organizing Swiss Days in Helvécia and Kecskemét in cooperation with its local partners and the local governments of the two Eastern Hungarian municipalities. On September 6 and 7, Switzerland will be the guest of the Harvest Days in Helvécia, followed by a week-long program in Kecskemét between September 9 and 14.

Switzerland has thousands of links with the region: Helvécia, as its name suggests, was founded by a Swiss teacher, Ede Wéber. The municipality has been twinned with the Thurgau municipality of Sirnach for 25 years. This year, guests from the twin town will also be coming to the harvest days, where Alpine horn players will contribute to creating a truly Swiss atmosphere.

In Kecskemét, the presence of Swiss companies is the primary link. Phoenix Mecano, Cabtech, Köppel, Goessler Kuverts and HILTI (which, although a Liechtenstein company, has been happy to join the Swiss initiative) will be lined up on Szent István körút. Another special partner is Swiss-owned Fornetti, whose bags of pastries will feature information about the Swiss Days program during the first weeks of September. Highlighting the strong economic presence, the Swiss-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscham), in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bács-Kiskun County, will organize a business forum at the Neumann János University on September 11.

Students will also have the opportunity to meet Switzerland at the opening ceremony of the academic year on September 9th, when a pavilion in the university's lobby will provide information on Swiss innovations and bilateral relations. Ambassador Jean-François Paroz and Opardija Jasmina, scientific advisor to the Swiss State Department for Education, Research and Innovation, will give a presentation on "Switzerland's secrets" at the opening ceremony.

Not only students, but also secondary school and technical college students will have the opportunity to hear the Ambassador's thoughts on Swiss-Hungarian relations through school visits and company visits for technical college students. Students from the Zoltán Kodály School of Music will be able to learn about the Alpine horn in an interactive workshop. This week, it is worth keeping an eye on the squares and parks, as alpine horn players will be touring the city, so one can attend a pop-up concert anywhere. On September 10 and 13 at 18:00, the Otthon Cinema will screen two Swiss films in the original language with Hungarian subtitles, free of charge.

In addition to the economic, educational and cultural dimension, the programs will also include a social aspect. The 52nd National First Aid Competition of the Hungarian Red Cross will take place in Kecskemét on Saturday, September 14, with a speech by the Ambassador, highlighting the role of the Swiss Henry Dunant in the founding of the Red Cross movement and the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions.

On Saturday, September 14, the festivities will conclude with a Swiss Picnic. Swiss companies and the Embassy will be presenting spectacular, exciting and delicious specialities in the Phoenix Mecano car park. There will be raclette cheese, fried sausages, a children's program and a quiz. The event will be accompanied by the Sonnenberg Alpine horn band, providing a traditional Swiss atmosphere.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)