To commemorate fifty years of the Swiss Embassy building in New Delhi, the Embassy of Switzerland has planned events in the field of architecture, design and engineering that will highlight Swiss achievements in these areas that are also of growing relevance in the Indian context. Organized in partnership with the Consulates General in Mumbai & Bengaluru, the Honorary Consulates in Chennai & Kolkata, Presence Switzerland, Pro Helvetia – Swiss Arts Council, swissnex India, Swiss Business Hub and Switzerland Tourism, the celebrations will last till spring 2014.
Designed by Swiss architect Hans Hofmann and realized posthumously by his young collaborator Walter Rüegg, the Swiss Embassy building was inaugurated in the presence of the then Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on 4th July 1963. Located in the Diplomatic Enclave in Chanakyapuri, the building is recognized as a significant architectural landmark of New Delhi. It symbolizes and stands for the strong bond that India and Switzerland have shared through these years. Like the relationship between the two countries, this building has emerged stronger with time, and like the friendship between the two countries, it has become timeless.
Swiss Ambassador Dr. Linus von Castelmur launched the Year of Swiss architecture, design and engineering in India 2013-14 on 7th August 2013. Revealing to the media the series of events planned he observed, ‘‘Architecture, design and engineering are the disciplines in which Switzerland excels; they are also strongly emerging fields of study and practice in India. I am confident that the Year of Swiss architecture, design and engineering in India will offer a splendid platform for common reflection and push the current collaboration in these fields to new heights.’’
Lectures, seminars and exhibitions will be held in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chandigarh as part of the celebrations. The highlight of the year will be the visit of Swiss Minister of Foreign Affairs, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter in November 2013.
The Embassy will collaborate with important Indian institutions like the Indian Institute of Human Settlements (Bangalore), the Lalit Kala Akademi (New Delhi), the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi, the National Institute of Design (Ahmedabad), and Studio X (Mumbai) during the year.
The Embassy is thankful to the main sponsors Schindler India Pvt. Ltd, Nestlé India Ltd, ABB India Ltd, SGS India Private Limited, Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction, Steiner India Ltd. and to the co-sponsors Bühler India Pvt. Ltd, Burckhardt Compression (India) Pvt. Ltd, Gherzi Consulting Engineers Pvt. Ltd, Hilti India Pvt. Ltd, Novartis India Ltd, Oerlikon India Pvt. Ltd, Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Regent Lighting Asia Pvt. Ltd, Roche products (India) Pvt. Ltd, Saber, Sika India Pvt. Ltd, Swiss International Air Lines, Swiss Re Shared Services (India) Pvt. Ltd and Vitra India Pvt. Ltd.