60th Congress of the Swiss in the United Kingdom
6 - 8 June 2025
Come together to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine the future of the Swiss community in the UK!
This year’s Congress marks a significant milestone for FOSSUK and comes at a time of transformation, as the organisation reflects on its legacy and prepares for a potential transition in both name and structure.
The event will bring together members of the Swiss community across the UK, longstanding supporters, and representatives from Switzerland for a weekend of reflection, renewal, and celebration. The 5 newly elected CSA (Council of the Swiss Abroad) will also be announced and this is an opportunity to meet them in person also.
Friday evening, 6 June 6:30 - 9pm at Swiss Embassy London
7:00 - 7:45pm Evening Panel Discussion: Community, Ageing Abroad & Support
Featuring Swiss author Ann Amann sharing her personal story www.ann-amann.com
Art exhibition by Ticinese artist @klaartdesign & website Karin Lanini Arthofer
Drinks reception sponsored by @birreriadibioggio
Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ageing-living-abroad-the-importance-of-community-care-across-boarders-tickets-1356300895489?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday 7 June afternoon & evening
FOSSUK AGM & OSA Delegate Elections
1:30pm - 5:30pm at Swiss Embassy London
Highlights include:
Ratification of the newly elected CSA Delegates
“FOSSUK: The New Way Forward” presentation
Addresses by FDFA & @swisscommunity's President Filippo Lombardi and new Director Lukas Weber
Special guest: Swiss Paralympian @LeoMcCrea
Drinks reception at the Swiss Embassy hosted by HE Ambassador Markus Leitner & Madame Doris Leitner
Dinner at 7:30pm at St Moritz
Places are limited - RSVP quickly. Link to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/congress-of-the-swiss-in-the-uk-tickets-1360840082319?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sunday, 8 June 11:30am - 1pm at Serpentine Galleries
Swiss Curated Art Walk presented by @newhelveticsociety
Led by curator Jolanda Crettaz Chandler
from 11:30 am at Serpentine Galleries, Hyde Park
Place are limited to join the art walk - email info@newhelveticsociety.co.uk to reserve your place.
FOSSUK AGM & Congress Programme
Saturday, 7 June at Swiss Embassy London
13:30 Doors Opening - Registration
14:00 Welcome Speeches
14:10 FOSSUK AGM which includes elections of CSA Delegates and presentation of
‘The new way forward’.
15.30 Coffee Break
During the coffee break, guests will have the opportunity to meet Karin Lanini-Arthofer, who will be available to discuss her artwork, which will be on display in the Lecture Hall of the Embassy
15:45 Speeches by our distinguished guests from Switzerland
Mrs Yvonne Rohner, Head of Division Consular Protection and
Mr Michele Malizia from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Mr Filippo Lombardi, President of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad
Mr Lukas Weber, Director of the Organisation of the Swiss
Cultural Programme
16.45 The inspirational life of a Swiss Paralympian in the UK, meet gold winner Leo McCrea
17.30 Aperitif kindly offered by HE Ambassador Markus Leitner and Madame Doris Leitner and entertainment by Swiss artist Nat Cartier
18:30 End of Congress
Get to know the artists and speaker here >
The AGM will also be streamed online via Zoom. To join please click on the link https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ydkF_TbaQUSm-J5Fy9a_xA
For those that cannot participate, the AGM and Speeches will be recorded and available at a later stage online.
19:30-22:30 St Moritz Restaurant, 159 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WH
Traditional Swiss Dinner
Join us for a traditional dinner at the St.Moritz, London's oldest Swiss restaurant. Genuine traditional Swiss cuisine prepared and served under the auspices of the renowned proprietor and chef Armin Loetscher.
Link to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/congress-of-the-swiss-in-the-uk-tickets-1360840082319?aff=oddtdtcreator
FOSSUK’S 59TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
SATURDAY, 11 MAY 2024
AGM & CULTURAL PROGRAMME 2024
FRIDAY 10th
18:00-20:00 The Swiss Church in London, 79 Endell Street London WC2H 9DY
Choir "Voce del Brenno"
20:30 Champagne Charlie’s, 17 Villiers Street London WC2N 6NG
Dinner on the trail of Carlo Gatti
SATURDAY 11th
9:00-12:30 The Swiss Church in London, 79 Endell Street London WC2H 9DY
FOSSUK AGM & Congress
9:00 Welcome Breakfast
9:30 FOSSUK AGM
10:15 Speeches from our special Swiss Guests
Mrs Priska Marti Magro dos Reis, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Member of the Executive Board and Head of Citizen Services Division
Mr Filippo Lombardi, Organisation of the Swiss Abroad, President
11.00 Coffee Break
11:10 Mrs Sarah Maramag and Mrs Heidi Holenweg, the3millions campaign for rights of the Swiss and Europeans in the United Kingdom
11.45 Dr Carole Durussel, Leadership journey to Antarctica
12:00 Ms Martina Greenwood and Ms Nabila Dolfini, Behind the scenes of Valchera’s. The new theatrical project of Unione Ticinese
12.30 End of Congress
The AGM was also be streamed online via Zoom.
For those that cannot participate, the AGM and Congress will be recorded and available at a later stage online.
Cultural Programme
13.00-14.15 Informal lunch at the Royal Academy of Arts. Please email president@swiss-societies.co.uk if you would like to reserve a place.
14:15-15:30 Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly London W1J 0BD
Guided visit to the Angelica Kauffman Exhibition
19:00 Westminster Pier
Dinner Cruise on the Thames
For more information, follow FOSSUK on Facebook, website www.swiss-societiesco.uk or send an email to: president@swiss-societies.co.uk.
More information or enquiries:
president@swiss-societies.co.uk
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