The President of the Confederation and the diplomatic corps to visit Art Basel

With the excursion in 2011 to Art Basel, the FDFA draws the attention of the diplomatic corps to a special cultural event in Switzerland with a major international reputation and which has become a big attraction for the contemporary art scene. Art Basel also illustrates the important role that Swiss artists and galleries as well as Switzerland and the Basel region play in the international art market. At the same time, Art Basel presents Switzerland as a country that is open to the world, one that plays a significant role in shaping political, economic and cultural developments.

The invitation, which the President of the Confederation extends on behalf of the Federal Council to all Ambassadors accredited in Switzerland, is a fixed item of the diplomatic calendar. On even years the excursion takes the Ambassadors to a particular region of the country (2010 to the Canton of Obwalden) and on odd years to a cultural event.

On Tuesday, 14 June 2011, the President of the Confederation and the diplomatic corps will be conducted through Art Basel in the company of the members of the Cantonal Government of Basel City. The event will begin with addresses by Mrs Calmy-Rey, Francesco Canalini, the Dean of the diplomatic corps, and Guy Morin, the President of Basel City Cantonal Government.

Interested media representatives may participate in this part of the visit and are asked to register their presence and to arrive at the appointed venue in good time as follows:

• Tuesday, 14 June 2011, 17:30, Auditorium, Art Basel, Isteinerstrasse. (please register at the latest by Tuesday, 14 June 2011, 10:00 at: info@eda.admin.ch). 

The reception to follow in the Basel Kunstmuseum (Art Gallery) will create a link between the world’s largest contemporary art fair and the world’s oldest public art collection.

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: (+41) 031 322 31 53
Fax: (+41) 031 324 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs