Lido di Lugano is waiting for you!

The Lido di Lugano could qualify as one of the most enchanting places in town! Upon entrance you are directly attracted to its victorian-style infrastructure and its sandy beach. No other spot in the city can bring you to feel those beautiful summer vibes so instantaneously. 

aL LiDO is a beach lounge right on the lakeside where you can relax, taste a wide range of gastronomic products and enjoy the spectacular view of the Gulf of Lugano. From the indoor restaurant area you can enjoy the beautiful lake view regardless of the outside temperature.

aL LiDO was founded by four young professionals in the fields of gastronomy, communications and management consultancy, who from an early age had spent their summers here on the beach of the Lido of Lugano. It was during a winter get-together that they came up with the idea - based on memories of their teenage days at the Lido - to promote one of the most beautiful places in Lugano. The City Council appreciated their concept and was enthusiastic to let them develop it and so, out of the many applicants, conferred the management of the restaurant and kiosks of the Lido di Lugano to these young men who have turned it into a landmark.

We might not have been able to celebrate the traditional May 1st opening party on the beach this year but they are open for business this weekend with a rethought service in line with the latest directives of the federal authorities. So let's go show our support and enjoy a yummy ice cream or scrumptious burger and celebrate our new found freedom after weeks of confinement!

Book online here: https://www.allidobar.com or call 091/971'55'00.

Enchanting Park Eisenhut

The Botanical Park Gambarogno is located in Vairano-San Nazzaro and is known for its collection of camellias and magnolias, one of the richest in Europe. In fact, thanks to its hillside position, to the soil and to the climate, over 950 varieties of camellias and almost equally as many magnolias, prosper in the park. There are also many rare species such as azaleas, rhododendrons and other ornamental flowers.

The park originated in 1955 when the nursery gardener Otto Eisenhut bought the land and founded a gardening business. He initially grew Christmas trees and later branched out into a nursery business.

What opened his horizons was his encounter with two interesting personalities: Sir Peter Smithers, ex Secretary General of the Council of Europe and owner of a magnificent park in Vico Morcote, and Piet Van Veen, a retired dentist of Dutch origin, with a passion for magnolias, camellias and irises. Moved by great zeal, Eisenhut thenceforth started expanding his assortment dedicating all his free time to the park while continuing his gardening business.

Today his paradise spreads over 20,000 m2 and hikers following the panoramic pathway from San Nazzaro harbour to Vira Gambarogno should definitely make a stop here.

The flowering occurs over a period of a few months but the most opportune time to visit is during the spring when the Park Eisenhut is a jubilation of flower corollas. It is a treat for the eyes and a balm for the soul.

Don't miss Switzerlanders

“Switzerlanders” is probably the most extraordinary film experiment this country has ever seen. A cinematic time capsule with thousands of hours of submitted material from all regions of Switzerland giving unknown insights about the life of Swiss people in the politically and socially turbulent summer of 2019.

A film project based on the idea of Ridley Scott, ("Alien", "Blade Runner", "Thelma & Louise" and "Gladiator"), who launched the “Life in a Day” project in 2010, for which more than 80,000 videos from 192 nations and a total of about 4500 hours of material were submitted. A film that tells the story of one day in this world in 95 minutes. It was translated into 20 languages and the concept was later adapted in various countries, including Switzerland.

The Swiss cult director Michael Steiner's new film was created from 1400 hours of material that the Swiss sent in. In one of the strongest moments of «Switzerlanders», a youngster talks about his Asperger syndrome.

The Corona crisis intervened with the planned cinema premiere therefore "Switzerlanders" is now shown on various streaming platforms (Apple TV, Teleclub, Sky, UPC and Myfilm). It is not to be missed.

Ticino is back in business

A sunrise on Lake Maggiore, as a symbol of a new beginning: it is with this image that a promotional video by the Ticino Tourism invites visitors from the German and French-speaking parts of Switzerland to explore the sunshine canton.

Yes, the Ticino tourist sector is ready to welcome its guests again. Hotels and accommodations reopened on May 4th, followed later by restaurants, shops and museums, even the magical Swiss Miniature is opening its doors this weekend.

We are the most Mediterranean and exotic canton in Switzerland - Angelo Trotta, Ticino Tourism's Director points out - precisely for this reason we will insist that there is no need to go far to reach enchanting destinations.

Ci vediamo presto in Ticino!

Who do I want to be

Life has changed for all of us due to the outbreak of the covid 19 coronavirus. During challenging times, it is natural to react in a way that ensures our safety and the safety of those we care about. It is important to tend to our most immediate needs and address our most immediate challenges.

Challenging times, however, also present us with opportunities to grow, support others, and become valuable in new and different ways. Sometimes, if our mindset is right, we can also learn a great deal about ourselves, who we are, and who we can become. Below is a graphic you might find helpful in thinking through who you want to be during this difficult time.

Look at yourself and objectively think about where you are, you may even be in all 3 zones, or 1 zone today and another tomorrow.  Everybody you come across are in different zones. Instead of judging or getting angry we need to all show empathy.  After all, we’re in it together!

Fear Zone
I grab food, toilet paper and medications that I don’t need
I spread emotions related to fear and anger
I complain frequently
I forward all messages I receive
I get mad easily
Learning Zone
I start to give up what I can’t control
I stop compulsively consuming what hurts me, from food to news
I identify my emotions
I become aware of the situation and think how to act
I evaluate information before spreading something false
Growth Zone
I think of others and see how to help them
I make my talents available to those who need them
I live in the present and focus on the future
I am empathetic with myself and others
I thank and appreciate others
I keep a happy emotional state and spread hope
I look for a way to adapt to new changes
I practice quietude, patience, relationships and creativity

Lugano Inside

Bring out the artist in you and show us your Lugano!

Lugano Urban Art (AUL) has launched a project open to the city's community, stimulating all to produce a work of art. This may be in the form of a photograph, a video, a drawing, a painting, a sculpture, a poem, a written text, sentences and thoughts.

Any projects received before May 30th 2020 will be published on the LuganoEventi Instagram channel (with #LuganoInside) and on the luganoeventi.ch/it/luganoinside page with the aim of contributing to the construction of a collective memory of what Lugano (and Ticino in general) was like during the time of the coronavirus.

At the end of the project, the best pieces will be selected by Arte Urbana Lugano (AUL) to become part of a collective exhibition held in 2021 between an urban and digital space.

This is how it works:
1.) Create a piece of art using only what you have at home, recycled materials, household items, yourself and your imagination.
2.) Get inspired by the Lugano Inside theme: express what you are experiencing right now within the walls of your home as well as within yourself.
3.) Send your work and the requested data to luganoinside@luganoeventi.ch.

The data that must accompany the work are: name, surname, title of work, date of construction, measurements of the artwork, technique and materials used, email and age of the author, as well as address and telephone. (Note: personal data will not be published.)

This is what my space looked like during lockdown

Online volunteering to make a difference

Have you ever thought of becoming a volunteer? Maybe you have volunteered in the past in your neighbourhood or city? But, have you ever thought of volunteering online?

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Online volunteering allows organizations and volunteers to team up to address sustainable development challenges – anywhere in the world, from any device.

You can dedicate 1 hour or 20 hours per week in writing, translating, programming, designing or researching from wherever you are with whatever you have... computer, phone, tablet.

On this global platform for organizations and online volunteers to connect, find an opportunity to make a difference... and change the world for the better.

Start now. Start here: https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en/opportunities

Be kind...

As governments are trying to figure out how to ease back into a new normal, please remember:

Some people don’t agree with the suggested reopening... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people are still planning to stay at home... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are still scared of getting the virus and a second wave happening... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are sighing with relief to go back to work knowing they may possibly save their business or their homes... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some are thankful they can finally have a surgery they have put off... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will be able to attend interviews after weeks without a job... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some will wear masks for weeks... that’s okay. Be kind.

Some people will rush out to get the hair or nails done... that’s okay. Be kind.

The point is, everyone has different viewpoints/feelings and that’s okay. Be kind.

We each have a different story. If you need to stay home, stay home. But be kind.

If you need to go out, just respect others when in public and be kind!

Don’t judge fellow humans because you’re not in their story.

We all are in different financial and mental states than we were months ago. So remember, be kind.

10 questions to ask yourself to take stock after confinement

We are all looking forward to going back to "normal", even if we are not quite sure what the new normal will look like. The faster we let go of expectations of “normal,” the faster we adapt. This period of confinement has allowed us to figure out what is actually important to us and focus on that.
Here are ten questions to ask yourself after confinement.

1.) What have you stopped doing and don't want to start again?
2.) What did you start and want to save time for now?
3.) What do you miss the most? Make your top 3
4.) What didn't you do when you absolutely wanted to get started?
5.) Is it too late? Is it really important?
6.) What did you find out about yourself?
7.) Are you surprised?
8.) Is your personal experience of containment generally positive or negative? Why?
9.) What expectations of “normal” are you letting go of today?
10.) What beauty are you creating, cultivating, or inviting in today?

Europe Day in Switzerland

Europe Day held on May 9th every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic "Schuman declaration". At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable.

This year May 9th marks the 70th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which set European integration in motion. The specific challenges that the European Union faces today – humanitarian, economic and sovereign – find an echo in the words of the Schuman Declaration: "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it."

This year is not a year for celebration and we must mark it in a different way by paying tribute to the many Europeans who, in a spirit of solidarity, are helping our Union get through the coronavirus crisis.

Although Switzerland is not a member state of the European Union, it is associated with the Union through a series of bilateral treaties in which Switzerland has adopted various provisions of European Union law in order to participate in the Union's single market, without joining as a member state.

In 1992, Switzerland held a referendum on membership to the European Economic Area, which allows European Free Trade Association members to participate in the EU’s internal market. Swiss citizens voted against joining the EEA, choosing instead to continue taking the strictly bilateral approach to their relationship with the EU.

In 2001, Swiss citizens voted on a popular initiative to open membership negotiations, but nearly 77 percent of voters decided that Switzerland should remain separate from the European Union.

In 2010 an agreement was signed on Swiss participation in EU education, professional training and youth programmes.

Overall, more than 100 bilateral agreements currently exist between the EU and Switzerland.
The on-going implementation of these agreements obliges Switzerland to take over relevant EU legislation in the covered sectors.These bilateral agreements between the EU and Switzerland are currently managed through approximately 20 joint committees.

As a consequence of its partial integration in the EU's single market, Switzerland pays a financial contribution to economic and social cohesion in the new EU Member States.

We are all in this together...

The Federal Council is easing the measures in place. From May 11th, classroom teaching may again take place in primary and lower secondary schools. Shops, markets, museums, libraries and restaurants may also reopen under strict compliance with precautionary measures.

All businesses and institutions must however present and put in place a set of precautionary measures. Everyone involved – that is to say all employees, customers, teachers, students, apprentices, athletes and trainers – must be able to observe the rules on hygiene and social distancing.

Beware, however, that the Federal Council can authorise the cantons to limit or suspend the activity of certain branches of the economy for a limited time and for specific regions if the epidemiological situation indicates a particular risk to the health of the population.

As of May 11th, the public transport network in Switzerland will be operating far more frequent services. The Swiss Federal Council would still ask you not to undertake leisure trips, however, for Swiss and EU citizens, family reunification in Switzerland will once again be possible from May 11th.

Swiss demographics on the rise

Over the last 120 years, the Swiss population has more than doubled: while there were 3.3 million residents in 1900, Switzerland now has 8.5 million inhabitants and the population is expected to exceed 9.5 million by 2030.

Driven by immigration, Switzerland’s population has grown to such an extent over the last few decades that it is now one of the most dynamic countries in Europe in terms of its demographics.

Switzerland’s image as an immaculate mountainous country populated by a handful of inhabitants is a long way from the reality.

Of course, in certain Alpine regions, this postcard cliché is not far from the truth. In Grisons, for example, there are 28 inhabitants per km2 . But at nationwide level, the density of the population has reached slightly more than 214 inhabitants per km2 . This average density is lower than in Germany, for example (232 inhabitants/km2).

But, if you look a little closer, the distribution of the population across the Swiss territory is mainly centred around the Swiss Plateau region, between Lake Geneva in the West and Lake Constance in the East. Here, the density is nearing 800 people per km2, making it one of the most populated regions in Europe. And it doesn’t stop there. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) anticipates that the population will increase by around 16% between 2015 and 2030, reaching 9.5 million inhabitants by the year 2030.