Personalities

Cláudia Fonseca Buzzi shares one of her favorite projects: uncovering the stories of prominent Brazilians who once lived in Bern. Read more about the personalities she has discovered and the experiences that deepened her understanding and admiration for Switzerland.

The annual Thai festival in Bern is always a highlight for Ambassador Chittipat Tongprasroeth. In his portrait, you can find out what he misses about the nature of his homeland and which three Swiss characteristics impress him the most.

Aamir Shouket misses the vibrant lifestyle of his homeland and wants to bring it closer to the Swiss. The Ambassador of Pakistan promotes his region, which is home to five of the world's highest peaks, as a new destination to be discovered.

Berta Fernández-Alfaro is Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Coordination Office for Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In 2024, IOM Bern celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Hissa Alotaiba represents one of the most innovative countries in the world and she was the first female ambassador of her country to be posted abroad: Today she is the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Bern.

In 2021, he was elected Deputy Director General of the UPU. Learn more about the second-oldest international organisation in the world and how Marjan Osvald compares Switzerland with his home country on the sunny side of the Alps.

Andrea Bekić reveals which area of Bern is named after the coastal region of Dalmatia, what connects her capital city with bears, and that a Croatian project in the field of urban mobilty could be exciting for Swiss cities.

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany would like to travel to all the places Goethe visited in Switzerland. Read his portrait to find out which city tour has captivated him and which canton is engraved in his heart.

Doris Frick has been Liechtenstein's Ambassador in Bern for many years and manages over 110 agreements between her country and Switzerland. Find out why she is particularly looking forward to 2023 and what she is keen to experience in Bern for a second time.

According to Rim El Memmi, the term "coolattitude" best reflects Bern's lifestyle. The women's strike in 2019, however, has left her anything but "cool", and by declaring "colour has taken possession of me", she refers not only to Paul Klee, but also to the different colours of the Aare River.

When Philippe Cerf is not busy delivering a message from his authorities to his Swiss colleagues, he finds time to marvel at the turquoise waters of Lake Thun or watch the hustle and bustle on Parliament Square.

Like a Bern local, Bill Longhurst rides his bike to work – despite the hilly streets. And speaking of "local", do you happen to know what "Guschti" means? Bill will explain it to you.

Princess Tomas-Tayao loves the calmness of the Bern but she is still surprised by the quiet Sundays! Discover what she would do after a busy work day and how she learns more about the local culture.

Find out how Julie Normand describes the Bernese take on life, which Swiss personnality she was most impressed by, and which toboggan run she is still desperate to try out.