Swiss Review 2/2019

Swiss Review / March 2019 / No.2 25 The original interview was published o n swissinfo.ch, the online service of the Swiss Broadcasting Company, which is available in ten languages. Do you live abroad too? Then tag your Instagram photos #WeAreSwissAbroad. “ Our traditions keep us united and define us ” Twenty-seven-year-old Heidi Amstalden Albertin lives in Helvetia, Bra- zil – a Swiss colony that her ancestors helped to found. Today, she helps keep Swiss traditions alive through food, festivals and folk dancing. My job: I graduated from law school and worked as a lawyer for a while. Now I am a public servant, more specifically a judge’s assis- tant at the Tribunal de Justiça do Estado de São Paulo (Court of São Paulo State), and I am very happy with my job. My Brazil: I live in Helvetia, a Swiss colony in Brazil founded in 1888 by four Swiss immigrant families. Our traditions keep us united and define us, and therefore we keep them alive. Tradition is present even in the name of our main celebration to commemorate the Swiss National Day: “Festa da Tradição”, which translates as “Tradition Party” or “Celebration of Tradition”. My Switzerland: I have been a member of a Swiss folk dance group (Tanzgruppe Helvetia) since I was four years old, and in 2010 we took part in the Eidgenössisches Trachtenfest (Swiss National Costume Festival) in canton Schwyz. The biggest differences with Switzerland are the lack of security and economic instability. My heart: My great-great-grandfather, Benedicto Amstalden, was a Swiss citizen from Sarnen in canton Obwalden and one of the founding fathers of Colônia Helvetia. To carry his name is a source of pride and a way to preserve his heritage, heroism and great ac- complishments. I will keep working to keep the traditions brought here by him alive. THE SWISS ABROAD ON INSTAGRAM Experience politics and culture up close and personal – just right for you Are you interested in Swiss politics? Would you like to experience a fantastic cultural and sports programme in your native country? If so, our Politics and Culture Camp is the right place for you. In the run-up to the Swiss Abroad Congress in Montreux, a two-week sum- mer youth camp will be held with a political and cultural focus on the topic of “What will tomorrow’s world hold?” and the 2019 parliamentary elections. During this camp, you will experience Swiss politics up close – explained simply, concisely and objectively. In addition, this summer camp is focused on your native country and all it has to offer, including lovely mountain landscapes, impressive historic cities and a great deal of culture. You will spend two weeks with other young Swiss expatriates, over- nighting at youth hostels, campgrounds, farms and even under the stars around a campfire. Whether you find yourself exploring Switzerland by train, bicycle or hiking through the mountains, it will definitely be a mem- orable time. The camp costs 1,030 Swiss francs. This includes the programme, accommodation, food, excursions and travel. It will be held from 3 to 18 August 2019 and is designed for young Swiss expatriates aged 15 to 21. Are you eager for a summer full of variety in Switzerland? If so, register today! (DB) within Switzerland. E-voting is of particular benefit to Swiss Abroad, given that Swiss expatriates often do not re- ceive voting papers sent by post until very late, thus mak- ing it difficult or sometimes impossible for them to return their ballots in time. This is why the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad submitted a petition at the end of 2018 call- ing on the Federal Council and Parliament to allowall Swiss Abroad to vote electronically. (MUL) Application to exercise political rights (multilingual document in English, German, French and Italian) http://ogy.de/register Information and registration More detailed information and registration forms for this as well as other camps can be found at www.swisscommunity.org/youth or www.aso.ch. The Politics and Culture Camp is organised by the Youth Service of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), Alpenstrasse 26, 3006 Bern; telephone +41 (0)31 356 61 00 , e-mail: youth@aso.ch