Notes from the Federal Palace The federal government is strongly committed to supporting these cultural exports. Through funding, grants and culture drives, it enables Swiss artists to present their work around the world. This not only strengthens Swiss cultural heritage but also promotes cultural interaction and understanding across the international divide. The Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia also supports the dissemination of works from various cultural fields as well as Swiss performances at important international events such as the Venice Biennale of art and architecture and book fairs (see box). There is one exception: the Swiss Films foundation is responsible for promoting the Swiss film industry abroad on behalf of the Federal Office of Culture (FOC). Hollywood success Swiss films enjoy an excellent reputation and have won major awards at prestigious events like the Berlinale and the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting the quality and variety of Switzerland’s movie industry. In particular, 2017 was an outstanding year that saw two Swiss features each nominated for an Oscar. Timo von Gunten’s “La femme et le TGV” and Claude Barras’s “My Life as a Courgette” not only dazzled international audiences but also cemented Switzerland’s reputation as a country with a flourishing film culture. Triumphs like these are of huge importance. They not only underline the country’s artistic excellence and creative talent, but also Switzerland’s cultural diversity and its ability to tell stories that will resonate in other countries. This helps to showcase Swiss culture around the world and strengthen Switzerland’s standing in world cinema as well as enhancing Switzerland’s national identity. Beautiful Swiss books The Swiss Culture Awards, presented every year by the Federal Office of Culture in the fields of art, design, literature, music, theaSwiss culture on the international stage From art to literature, from design to the theatre, from film to music – Switzerland consistently produces talent that is the envy of the world, helping to put Swiss culture on the international stage. The Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia Through involvement in events, projects and translation work, the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia helps to showcase Swiss cultural practitioners abroad. This includes funding public presentations, organising promotional events for international hosts, appearing at international exhibitions and networking events (e.g. Venice Biennale and Avignon Theatre Festival), and producing promotional material. The six Pro Helvetia liaison bases in Cairo, Johannesburg, Moscow, New Delhi, Shanghai and South America foster relations with local partners and cultural institutions, act as intermediaries on the ground, and offer residential, research and exchange programmes that allow artists and cultural practitioners from Switzerland to gain a foothold and engage with international audiences. tre, dance, and film, also act as an important advertisement for Swiss culture abroad. Not only do they pay tribute to outstanding talent in Switzerland, but they also give Swiss culture a better profile around the world. “The Most Beautiful Swiss Books” award, which is affiliated to the “Best Book Design from all over the World” interna- “My Life as a Courgette” won Best Fiction Film at the 2017 Swiss Film Awards and was nominated as best animation at the Oscars. Film stills: FOC/provided “Art in architecture and public space 1968–2008” by Susi & Ueli Berger – winner of the “Golden Letter” at the 2023 “Best Book Design from all over the World” competition in Leipzig. Photo: provided/FOC The Swiss Culture Awards, presented every year by the Federal Office of Culture in various fields, act as an important advertisement for Swiss culture abroad. tional competition, is an impressive example. The international competition in Leipzig, which is organised every February by Stiftung Buchkunst (the German Foundation for Book Design), saw Switzerland scoop 24 Swiss Review / December 2023 / No.6
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