Swiss National Day celebrated with diplomatic gala in Italy and community festivals in Uruguay

The Swiss Embassy marked Switzerland’s National Day with a formal ceremony at Villa Monticello in Rome. Ambassador Roberto Balzaretti welcomed guests, including Italy’s Health Minister Orazio Schillaci, and highlighted the long‑standing cultural and economic ties between the two neighbours, noting a shared border of over 700 km and weekly trade of about one billion euros. The evening featured the national anthems, a buffet of local cheeses and Swiss chocolate, and diplomatic networking.

In Nueva Helvecia, Uruguay, the Swiss community launched a month‑long series of celebrations. The opening dinner at the Tiro Suizo, organized by community leader Germán Reisch, brought together families for traditional music, dance, a hot‑wine toast and a fire‑lighting ceremony. Subsequent events will include a protocol ceremony in the Plaza de los Fundadores and a charitable fondue fundraiser, underscoring the colony’s effort to keep Swiss customs alive for new generations.