Dear Swiss and friends of Switzerland,

I’d like to send you the Swiss Consulate General’s warmest wishes for the Holiday Season - a time of joy and comfort to share with our families and friends!

Enjoy our 2021 concert by Swiss singer Helena Hallberg, and four musicians coming from all over the United States: Robbie Lee (pianist), Philip Norris (bassist), Aaron Matson (guitarist) and Utril Rhaburn (saxophonist). All of them have found their way into the world’s jazz capital, New York City, and have their personal links to Switzerland.

With my best wishes for you and your family,
 
Ambassador Markus Börlin

The 2022 New York Jewish Film Festival opens with the Swiss production Neighbours on Wednesday, January 12, 4:00pm at the Walter Read Theater. The drama by Swiss-Kurdish filmmaker Mano Khalil tells the story of a Kurdish boy in a Syrian/Turkish border village and his friendship with a Jewish family. 

Acclaimed Swiss television mini-series Labyrinth of Peace, created and written by Petra Volpe and directed by Mike Schaerer, will be presented virtually on January 25.
Image: © Still from Neighbours (2021)

Switzerland is one of the most innovative countries in the world. Largely unknown to the public, its inventions, designs, buildings and products enrich and improve the daily lives of New Yorkers. Discover more in this video following a New York mother and her daughter!

DOUGH:

• Mix flour, baking powder, sugar, lemon zest and salt in a bowl.
• Spread margarine in pieces, add 4 TBSPs of water and quickly combine everything into a soft dough, do not knead.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 30 min.

FILLING:

• Caramelize the sugar in a pan. Slowly add the almond milk to the caramel. Let the mixture boil until all the sugar lumps have dissolved. Remove from heat, add the walnuts and let cool down.
• Roll out ⅓ of the dough to the size of the mold, place on a baking paper and refrigerate. Now roll out the remaining ⅔ larger than the mold and slightly thicker, place inside and fill with the nut-caramel mixture.
• Fold in the edge of the dough, place the dough cover on top and poke holes with a skewer. Place the Nusstorte in the cold oven, set to 320 °F and bake for 30 min once the temperature has been reached.

Image: © Cookidoo

My name is Samira Ghanadyan and I am the executive assistant to the Ambassador here at the Consulate. My fascination with Switzerland comes from its picturesque landscapes, its multilingualism and its practice of direct democracy for centuries. My personal connection with Switzerland ties to the Zugerberg, a lesser known gem that’s nestled on top of the beautiful city of Zug. Only an 8-minute Seilbahn trip away from the city, Zugerberg attracts visitors year around; from hiking and mountain biking in warmer seasons to cross-country skiing and sledding (definitely my favorite activity here on the Berg) in winter. Want to cool down or warm up? Sit here on the Terrasse of Restaurant Zugerberg overlooking the Zugersee and take in the magnificent views, the fresh air and the “Bergsonne”, aka sunshine! Happy Holidays!