House of Switzerland: A successful Swiss presence at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London
Bern, 12.08.2012 - Following the Summer Olympics closing ceremony the House of Switzerland UK 2012 yesterday closed its doors. An initial assessment of the three weeks spent by the Thames is positive: the total number of visitors enjoying a multi-faceted, creative and entertaining Swiss presence amounted to some 255’000 people. Furthermore, the House was a popular meeting point for the Swiss athletes.
From 20 July to 12 August the House of Switzerland was open as the official Swiss reception centre of the Olympic Games. Among the highlights of the House of Switzerland UK 2012 were the medal celebrations for the successful Swiss athletes. The daily open-air concerts by Swiss groups, special events including the Swiss Creative Day of 23 July, the Swiss National Day on 1 August, the Bernese Games of 4-5 August, the visits of three Federal Councillors found a big response.
The permanent attractions also stimulated much interest. 3’000 visitors climbed the “Eiger North Face” in the “Qualification Park” organised by Switzerland Tourism with a chance to win a trip to Switzerland. About 15’000 the visitors dived into the world of Swiss video game design in the Swiss Games Lounge. 35’000 guests have enjoyed Swiss dishes and drinks created by the catering partner Mosimann.
Open to the general public, the House of Switzerland also served as a meeting place for Swiss athletes and a networking platform for representatives of various fields.
“The House was an extraordinary operation, I believe the Swiss Red Zone will remain in the memory of many. The aim of the official Swiss presence at London 2012 was to offer a home away from home to the athletes but also to show the many faces of Switzerland”, says Nicolas Bideau, head of Presence Switzerland, an agency of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. “As far as the objectives for the target audience abroad are concerned, we have managed to entertain hundres of thousands of British and international visitors and we could communicate lesser known strong points of Switzerland.” The House of Switzerland was equally a success in the social media, it has reached more than 160’000 users on Facebook and Twitter. “For the first time in the history of the Houses we have also been active in the virtual world,” says Bideau.
Switzerland will maintain a presence during the Paralympics in London. Just a short distance from the present site of the House of Switzerland, the restaurant La Cave will serve from 30 August to 10 September as a “Swiss Fan Zone”, a meeting place for athletes and their fans.
Media contacts:
Kieu Duy TRAN
FDFA, Presence Switzerland
Mob +44 7922 240 466
kieuduy.tran@eda.admin.ch
Angelica SCHEMPP
FDFA, Presence Switzerland
House of Switzerland UK 2012
Mob +44 7922 240 467
angelica.schempp@eda.admin.ch
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
