Abu Dhabi: A Swiss Christmas market offering traditional Swiss food, art, music and handicrafts has become the meeting point for all communities in the capital.
“It is a fantastic event because while exhibiting Swiss and European traditions, it attracts people of all nationalities. [Such a venue] is quite important for cultural dialogue,” said Maya Tissafi, the Swiss Ambassador to the UAE, told Gulf News on the sidelines of the inauguration of the four-day event on Wednesday evening.
“It is surely a very good opportunity for all,” she said.
The 12th edition of the Swiss Christmas Market, an open-air event, has recreated a little Swiss alpine village where visitors could experience the joy and spirit of the festive season, find special gifts for loved ones and enjoy an evening out with friends and family.
The Swiss Business Council Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of the Embassy of Switzerland, is organising the annual event at Beach Rotana that ends on Saturday.
Jean-Marc Suter, president of the Swiss Business Council, said the market attracted a large number of people on the inaugural day. “The Swiss flag is high here. We expect more people from Thursday evening.”
Suter said proceeds from the Swiss Christmas Market would be doubled by the Swiss Business Council and donated to the Special Care Centre Abu Dhabi (SCC), a non-profit organisation for students with special needs and disabilities. The SCC was set up 25 years ago under the patronage of Her Highness Shaikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union, Supreme Chairperson of the Family Development Foundation and Chairperson of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Forty-four charmingly done-up wooden chalets at the recreated Swiss village offer guests a wide range of ornaments, decorative gifts and handicraft items typical of the season, as well as a selection of culinary delicacies, providing a unique Christmas shopping experience.
Andreas Maager, currently Swiss Consul-General in Atlanta, US, and wife Claudine flew in from the US to attend the market where he can meet his old friends.
“We enjoy the warmth of our friends in Abu Dhabi,” Maager said. Maager and his wife were actively involved in organising the first market in 2004. Maager was the deputy head of the mission at the Swiss Embassy in Abu Dhabi from 2004 to 2009.
Other attractions at the market are a Swiss Winter-Wonderland and Swiss food specialities like raclette, a Swiss potato and cheese dish and the traditional Swiss Fondue, a dish best enjoyed with friends and family.
Swiss Christmas Market Timings
Friday: 11am to 10pm
Saturday: 11am to 10pm
