Switzerland and the World Cup 2018

The Swiss are very fond of football. The headquarters of the International Football Federation FIFA is located In Switzerland, in Zuric. For Switzerland, the participation of the national team in the World Cup 2018 is a real sporting event, and, of course, the expectation of a possible victory.

On Thursday, June 14, 2018, in Bern in the banquet hall of the 5-star hotel "Bellevue" hosted the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Switzerland, dedicated to the Day of Russia and the opening of the World Cup 2018 in Russia.

The Russian and Swiss flags rose in the center of the hall, which was illuminated and decorated with flowers in the tone of the Russian tricolor. Among the guests were ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, representatives of Swiss authorities and business, prominent public figures, representatives of Russian compatriots and the media.

The reception in Bern on the occasion of the Day of Russia and the opening of the World Cup 2018, photo © Giulia Ilina

Solemnly were sounded the hymns of Russia and Switzerland, then numerous guests were welcomed by the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein Sergey Viktorovich Garmonin. He noted that Russian-Swiss relations are distinguished by "a high degree of mutual understanding, trust and interest in expanding and deepening cooperation in both foreign policy and economic spheres."

Next, nice buffet was offered to guests, organized around a huge ice rack with the inscription Russia 2018. The menu combined exquisite dishes of Russian and international cuisine. Along with serving the dishes, the participants of the reception were offered high-quality varieties of vodka and wine, as well as champagne. It was a real holiday!

Guests enthusiastically looked on the Russia-Saudi Arabia match live, which ended with the victory of the Russian team with a score of 5-0.

Speech of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation in Switzerland Sergei Viktorovich Garmonin, photo © Giulia Ilina

Uli Maurer, the Finance Minister of Switzerland, attended the reception, he told to news agency Swissinfo that he is very fond of Russian literature, namely the writer Leo Tolstoy, and in relation to the World Cup 2018, despite the sanctions, "there is no need to mix sports and politics."

Left, Swiss Finance Minister Uli Maurer, the Swissminiatur’s owner, Dominic Vigner, Russian Ambassador to Switzerland S. V. Garmonin. On the right, a cake dedicated to the opening of the 2018 World Cup, photo © Giulia Ilina

A few days later, on June 17, 2018, the President of Switzerland Alain Berset, attended the opening soccer match of Switzerland against Brazil in Rostov-on-Don at the stadium "Rostov Arena". He specially flew to Russia to support his country's national team: "We expect a lot from this team!"

Swiss President Alain Berset arrives at the match Switzerland-Brazil on World Cup 2018 in Rostov-on-Don, photo WEB

Expectations were not intentionally. Switzerland team played in a draw in a magnificent spectacular match with a score of 1-1. This is a wonderful gift for all Swiss.

Switzerland team played in a draw with Brazil at the 2018 World Cup 2018, photo WEB

Switzerland prepared to watch live of the World Cup 2018. Special platforms with huge screens for live broadcasts have been built In all major cities. Matches of the World Cup always collect a huge number of fans.

Thus, in Bellinzona, the capital of the Ticino canton, at the opening of the World Cup 2018, the Russian-speaking community organized a real holiday for sports fans: a treat and a folk song concert with a remarkable performance by the Radonica ensemble (art director Giulia Fazani, musical director, Honored Artist of Russia, bayan player A.P. Shitov).

At the opening ceremony of the World Cup 2018 in Bellinzona, on the left, the folklore ensemble "Radonitsa", on the right, treats at the festival, photo © Giulia Fazani

Giulia, a professional musician, graduated from the St. Petersburg College of Art in the Domra class and last year organized a folklore ensemble for children and adults in Ticino. Now the Swiss and Russian-speaking compatriots can not only listen to the famous "Kalinka" and "Podmoskovnye Vechera" in an excellent performance, but also almost professionally perform these songs.

We wish all fans cheerful mood, and the victory in the championship for the strongest team!

Giulia Ilina, Switzerland, Bern

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