On 14th November, over five hundred Swiss citizens and friends of Switzerland travelled to Lower Hutt to commemorate the battle of Morgarten in 1315, the conquest of Aargau in 1415, the battle of Marignano in 1515 and the Congress of Vienna confirming Swiss neutrality in 1815. Wintery temperatures and the sounds of the Swiss Kiwi Yodlers welcomed us all to the beautiful grounds of the Swiss Residence. After a warm welcome by Jürg Bono and Roland Schütz, we were all treated to the finest Swiss foods – Cervelat, Bratwurst, Raclette, Appenzeller, Landjaeger, Swiss cookies and to warm us up: Nespresso coffee and Swiss wines.
Carts drawn by St. Bernard and Bernese mountain dogs as well as Sackgumpe, bottle fishing and a balloon competition entertained the many kids that joined the function.
There was continued entertainment for the adults too: air rifle shooting, alphorn, flag throwing, accordeon music, yodelling and a lot more. Young and old enjoyed the wonderful Swiss atmosphere and for the 18 and 19 year olds, there was a “Jungbürgerfeier” (introduction of young citizens to their rights and duties).
At 7pm, just as the feet started to get really cold, we all huddled together to listen to Ambassador David Vogelsanger, explaining to us the meaning of the various historical events that we came to celebrate on that day. In between the anthems of New Zealand and Switzerland, Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-High Country, Trevor Mallard, MP for Lower Hutt and the Hon. Louise Upston, MP for Taupo, Minister for Land Information and Minister for Women addressed the crowd.
After some more coffee, wine and cookies everyone waited with anticipation for their raffle ticket number to be drawn out of a hat. By now our toes had well and truly turned into icicles... Another highlight of the day was the bonfire that was lit when it was dark – yet another very traditional thing to do in our home country – as well as a perfect opportunity to warm up!
It was as Swiss as a day in New Zealand can be! The Ambassador, his wife Laura and the Embassy staff as well as the Wellington Swiss Club put in a tremendous amount of effort to make this a simply wonderful and special day which we will remember for a long time.
On behalf of the Swiss Society of New Zealand, I would like to thank every single person who helped in any shape or form very much for their contribution – it simply was a perfect Swiss Day!
Tanja Latham-Zurbruegg
President of the Swiss Society of New Zealand Inc.
