Swiss music over fondue and raclette

Swiss music over fondue and raclette

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Category: Envoys & Expats

31 May 2014

Written by Suzette Jessica

In Photo: SwissAmbassador Ivo Sieber (right) and Counselor and Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach (all photos by Stephanie Tumampos)

WHEN we think of Switzerland, we think of watches, chocolates and its banking system. Rarely do we think of culture and the arts. This mindset is about to change with the creation of the Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines.

Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber said the fund was created “to foster cultural exchanges between Switzerland and the Philippines. It will give the people of the Philippines more opportunities to discover Swiss artists and get acquainted with Swiss culture, while Swiss artists will get to appreciate Philippine culture and, where possible, create synergies.”

The fund is sponsored by Swiss companies, which are active in the Philippines. Presently, sponsors to the fund include Nestlé, Bühler and Swatch.

Ambassador Sieber said there are 5,000 Swiss nationals in the Philippines, making it one of the largest Swiss communities in Asia. On the other hand, there are about 20,000 Filipinos in Switzerland.

He said the fund would give the citizens from both countries an opportunity to discover each other’s culture.

The Swiss Cultural Fund Philippines was officially launched during a VIP event at the Swiss Ambassador’s Residence on May 26. The launch coincided with a private concert by Swiss jazz artist Claude Diallo, who was in the country last week for a series of concerts.

On the other hand, the fund was introduced to media in a private get-together held at the residence of Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Raoul Imbach, who also happens to be a multitalented musician. Imbach, who is performing in a concert at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium today at 6 p.m., is known in the diplomatic circle here and abroad as the “Singing Diplomat.”

It was an intimate gathering that gave media a chance to chat with Ambassador Sieber and Counselor Imbach on all things Swiss. In fact, much of the talk that afternoon centered on Swiss food, particularly raclette, as the diplomats talked about this delicacy to the guests.

Ambassador Sieber says almost all homes in Switzerland has a raclette machine of some kind, since the dish of melted cheese, boiled baby potatoes, cocktail onions and gherkins is a must in all Swiss gatherings, along with that other staple, cheese fondue. And there were more culinary discoveries that afternoon, including roesti, pan-fried shredded potato pancakes.

Imbach wears a lot of hats; he is not only a diplomat and musician, he is also a restaurateur, having run a restaurant during his assignment in Bolivia. In the short time that he has been in the Philippines, he has picked up enough Filipino to integrate the language into his compositions. The audience at his Rizal Park show will surely be enthralled by his romantic compositions, the same way he has charmed his audience around the world.

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