At the heart of the 22th edition of « Fête des Couleurs », Aigle, Switzerland

It still feels strange how after a relatively long time of global pandemic people have returned to their normal activities, gatherings and life as before 2019. No masks, no restrictions, no passes – meaning coming together to celebrate life, values, cultures and have fun. It was such la « Fête des Couleurs » that can be translated as « The Colours Festival » of Aigle, after two years of interruption due to Covid-19, taking up a more than 20 years long tradition.

July 1 and 2 was a real festival of colours, bringing together cultures of the world, music, culinary tradition and more. The 22nd edition of this festival was a huge organization, whose conception and arrangement had started far before. As a volunteer for this activity, I had the chance to have an insight of how it’s like to work in the background for this kind of events we usually participate in the front row or as spectators.

First days of in-site preparations

It’s a big day June 25. Three lorries loaded with the hugest tent I’ve seen so far: a dimension of 20 x 60m, it is supposed to nest all the stands of the associations participating in this event, the Espace Amis stand, the lovely 360° serving bar with dozens of tables ahead and, above all, the huge stage to be fixed the days to come. Everything is taken care of, now is just a matter of time and physical work. There is a nice spirit of communication between teams, where we get to know each-other by jokes, a helping hand and of course, directives of what to do and help with. By the end of the afternoon, all the vast park in front of La Planchette – the neighbour where the festival will be held – is now covered by this huge tent, giving already the idea of how huge the festival will be. The responsible team in charge of the infrastructure, supervised by Pascal Bontems and Jonathan Liaudat, has a helping hand by a lot of people, including me: having jokes meanwhile putting up the tents, Julien Suter, responsible of animations, Christian Ramel, responsible of the artists and the handful of volunteers had all the load on them for the days to come.

Finally, after 7 days of in-site work, everything seems to fall into place. Tomorrow is the big day, July first, the first day of the festival. The soundcheck is on its way and things look very musical so far. The stands are labelled and we can spot, not only by the nametags, but also by the colours, those of Colombia, Mexico, Mongolia, Bosnia, Syria… On the other side, the stand of Espace Amis, a real welcome of all the tastes of the world, from kebab to Biryani chicken, from crepes to grape leaves rolls and so on. It is just a matter of hours to get through all these inviting menus.

Thus, the last day of preparations came to an end and finally, I got to see the next day how people started coming one by one, in groups and families with their children, after the cortege of the schools of Aigle, with more than 300 school children and the city’s brass band.

What impresses me the most is that the name of the festival is truly and totally representing what I see in front of me: a true celebration of colours, people, cultures, backgrounds, coming together to celebrate. To celebrate their differences and uniqueness and at the same time, common and shared values beyond the borders of a state or the ordinary clichés. It takes a lot to overcome the differences, if not overcome, to use them as a shared value and not as a complex stopping you to find your own place in a country you have to consider from now on yours…

A party going on for more than 20 years

It was the year 2001 when la « Fête des Couleurs » took place for the first time, initiated by the Service Communautaire de la Planchette. This service of solidarity of the Evangelic Reformed Church of Canton Vaud works since autumn of 2000 in the neighbourhood of la Planchette in Aigle to develop its projects supporting the multi and intercultural exchange.

This is how French lessons, activities for children and families, dinners, parties, various administrative support and the association were born in 2005.

La « Fête des Couleurs », which has become a great festival over the years, is the cherry on the cake, the enhancement of a neighbourhood and people from all walks of life.

This world festival can exist thanks to the support of artists, the Commune of Aigle, many private sponsors, but also all the volunteers who are committed throughout the year and those who come to help during the festival.

The previous director, who has now retired, Mr. Serge Paccaud, comes every day and gives a helpful hand with ideas and the work going on. It’s natural to him and actually to all the people who work for the festival to see Mr. Paccaud give advices or helping to put up the scene, transporting tables or even putting the colourful tents together. I think, as far as I can see around, that he has left a good legacy and that everything is going on great: he is funny, respectful and full of ideas, often repeating half-seriously and half-joking: “It’s OK to let the young take the lead, but the old people shouldn’t be completely avoided or put apart”. Damn he’s right!

“The hugest festival we’ve had so far”

I managed to distract Pascal, who had put on immediately the apron of the kitchen chief and all the tasks and headaches coming with this charge, for a short interview. I love the way he jokes, with a very serious tone and I kind of find it difficult to guess whether he’s being serious or just teasing me. But I guess he was speaking for real when he told me that, compared to the previous editions of the Colours Festival, this was the hugest and biggest so far. In terms of attendance by people as well as organization. “We had an enormous amount of people the first day of the festival and we expect the same today”. Concerning the volunteers, he says that related to the previous editions, there are fewer this year. “We have a lot of people who come to have fun and take the best from this festival, but fewer to give a hand, so when we have not enough volunteers, things start to become a little bit complicated”. I’d like to know his point of view about the aim, the purpose of this festival. Mr. Bontems says that this is a lucrative activity. “We try to raise the finances for Espace Amis, the Space of Integration for the Foreigners, the French classes, so this festival is about them, all the money we have goes for Amis Association and is totally devoted to this”. And compared to the previous editions, he is happy to say that there has been a great participation of people.

Joëlle Saugy, a director unlike others

She’s young, joyful and has not the air of a bossy executive of the festival. One would think she’s too young and petite for such a heavy weight on her shoulders, but no. Her years at Espace Amis and as a coordinator of the festival for quite twelve years have made her the perfect person to be in charge. I could only catch her for a small talk only after the festival, obviously.

It was “a great premiere”, as she says with all the responsibilities she had this time, coordinating the technical, infrastructural and artistic parts of the program. “Considering the tasks, I do what I did for the previous editions, but this time the stress whether everything would go fine was immense. But when I see the result, is very gratifying, considering that we started to work since February and, having Covid-19 around, we didn’t know much ourselves what kind of organization we were going to follow: if it was going to be a small festival or not and then, suddenly, we sped up the rhythm. We thought that people were striving for a big festival, a big stage and thus, we developed the idea of the huge stage. It was a hard work, but when we see the result, the peoples’ smile, the volunteers helping us, it was worth it, it’s an experience motivating us to repeat it each year”.

I am curious to know how the idea of the festival has changed or developed during the years and Joëlle assures me that it has grown larger, concerning the participation of the stands, the shows and artists participating. What has not changed though, are the values and leitmotivs of the festival; the aim is to put in the spotlight the cultural diversity of La Planchette, but also of the region, by the means of the shows, cuisine traditions, in favour of discoveries and encounters between people”.

Corners of the world in one happy place

I was amazed by the countries and traditions being represented at this festival. Mongolia, Syria, Lebanon, Bosnia, Colombia, Mexico, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and many more – all of these around one happy place: the great tent of the festival.

I had the pleasure to venture a little bit among the stands and have a talk with some of the participants. Tere Naecher is the representative of the Association of Mexicans and Friends of Mexico in Canton of Vaud and Neuchâtel. She says it’s a honour for them as association to participate in this festival, for some years now, because they feel welcomed in a multicultural environment. “We love being here and having the opportunity to introduce the Mexican culture, its cuisine and traditions”. I had the pleasure to visit their stand for artisanal products – rich in colours and almost all handmade.

Semir Muratovic represents the stand of Bosnia at la « Fête des Couleurs ». Their collaboration with the festival goes on for a long time, in technical support, but also in terms of showcasing at a stand, to show the people the culture, traditions and cuisine of Bosnia and to interact with them. His team has served as a right hand in terms of infrastructure and during the days of this festival, they loved to show and offer people their specialties, like the roasted lamb broach or the burek.

I could say the same with the artists invited this year: from West Africa, Cape Verde; Eritrea. There were also included different world cultures, represented by artists living in Switzerland, such as the show of the Mongolian Association of Suisse Romande, the flamenco show of Made 4 you School of Sion, Ilirët, an Albanian folk group and also modern and contemporary music of hip-hop, breakdance, etc.

Diversity of cultures, but also of ages

In a nice corner we find the AJAMIS stand, dedicated to the youth of the region.

The AJAMIS space is the Aja, Association for the Youth of Aigle, and AMIS, Association multi and intercultural of La Planchette, who have combined their strengths and skills to provide a space dedicated to young people at “ Fête des couleurs ”. Giant baby-foot, non-alcoholic cocktail bar (run by the Youth Parishioners of Chablais), DJ workshop, deckchairs and good atmosphere. The tent was full all weekend! On the Saturday evening of July 2, they inaugurated the peer prevention project « On en Parle? (Shall we talk?) with two young people trained in primary prevention to meet other young people and talk about topics, such as sexuality and alcohol consumption. This first « AJAMIS » experience shows that together people are stronger and that young people enjoy coming to the Festival of Colours and appreciate being welcomed by their favourite animators.

Two days and evenings full of shows, visits and exhibitions of cultures, many days and months of preparation, two days of intense dismantling, many people visiting. It was overwhelming, there was also quite some physical exhaustion, but! I can surely say that I would love to return to this festival next year, be it as a spectator, as a volunteer or maybe more than this.

Elvana Tufa

Membre de la rédaction vaudoise de Voix d’Exils

La version française de cet article a été publiée sur Voix d’Exils le 20.07.2022 et est accessible ici

Liza Brenda Sekaggya.

« Notre objectif est l’acquisition par les femmes des capacités de leadership »

Liza Sekaggya est co-fondatrice de Phenomenal Women Organisation, une ONG basée en Suisse et en Ouganda. Lors de cette interview menée par notre rédactrice Marie-Cécile Inarukundo, elle présente les différents projets et actions mises en œuvre par son organisation pour que les femmes africaines, les migrantes et les laissées pour compte puissent trouver leur place dans la vie professionnelle et s’épanouir dans leur vie personnelle. 

The english version of the interview is available at the end of the article

Quelle nécessité vous a poussée à fonder cette organisation  ?

J’ai lancé le concept de Phenomenal Women avec quelques autres femmes parce que nous pensions qu’il était nécessaire pour celles d’origine africaine, pour les migrantes et toutes celles qui ne bénéficient pas des mêmes privilèges que les Européennes, de se serrer les coudes pour promouvoir leur vie professionnelle et personnelle ici en Suisse. Alors, en 2018, nous avons organisé une première conférence à Genève. Nous avons mis en avant la solidarité et le soutien mutuel comme moyens d’atteindre le succès professionnel et personnel. S’en sont suivies 4 autres conférences en Ouganda, au Zimbabwe, en Afrique du Sud et à Boston, où nous avons aujourd’hui des points focaux chargés d’exécuter le mandat de notre organisation.

Quand l’organisation a-t-elle commencé et combien de femmes exactement sont à la base de sa création ?

Notre organisation a été officiellement enregistrée en 2019, mais déjà en 2018 le concept était né. Nous avons environ 100 membres, et au niveau du leadership nous comptons 3 membres exécutifs ici en Suisse et une équipe de 5 en Ouganda où nous sommes également enregistrées.

Comment l’idée a-t-elle émergé ? Peut-on avancer que les fondatrices ont eu à gérer les mêmes problèmes ?

Oui, vous avez parfaitement raison. De mon expérience personnelle, comme Human Rights Officer basée à Genève, il m’a été très difficile d’évoluer en termes de carrière aussi rapidement que les Européennes. On peut se retrouver au même poste pendant des années, parfois parce que notre ethnie et notre genre nous empêchent de profiter des mêmes opportunités que les autres. Ou encore, de potentiels employeurs répondent à notre manifestation d’intérêt en nous proposant un poste pour lequel on est surqualifiées. Pour les postes en lien avec nos compétences, il est très frustrant de se voir recalées. Je partage cette expérience avec nombre d’autres femmes pour lesquelles la promotion professionnelle à des postes de responsabilité est quasi impossible, ou celles pour qui le marché du travail est carrément fermé.

Dans ce contexte précis, comment expliquez-vous la présence de votre organisation sur le continent africain ? Est-elle judicieuse ?

Notre présence en Afrique est encore plus nécessaire, car même si elles ne font pas l’objet de racisme, les femmes y ont d’autres défis à relever en matière d’emploi et de carrière. Des défis liés à la violence basée sur le genre, défis liés à aux usages culturels qui peuvent les empêcher d’aller à l’école ou de terminer leurs études, les forcer au mariage précoce, etc. Comme les défis peuvent varier d’un endroit à un autre, les objectifs des conférences que nous animons en Afrique sont différents. Mais dans tous les cas de figure, notre objectif est l’acquisition par les femmes des capacités de leadership. Nous désirons qu’elles soient outillées pour avancer, être autonomes et indépendantes où qu’elles soient. Nous avons également réalisé que partout dans le monde, les femmes avaient à relever pratiquement les mêmes défis liés à la violence et à la ségrégation basées sur le genre.

L’implantation de l’organisation en Suisse a naturellement découlé du fait que vous vivez ici, n’est-ce pas ? Qu’en est-il de son expansion ? De quoi s’est-elle inspirée ?

Notre expansion s’est inspirée des intérêts des unes et des autres parmi nos membres, ainsi que de l’importance de la diaspora féminine là où nous sommes présentes. D’abord, l’Ouganda étant mon pays d’origine, c’est tout naturellement qu’il a été le deuxième pays d’implantation et d’enregistrement. Mon réseau de contacts dans l’économie, la finance et l’administration du pays nous a facilité la tâche. A Boston, nous avons tenu compte de l’immense communauté de femmes africaines et de la présence d’une grande université. Quant au Zimbabwe et à Londres, nous y sommes présentes car j’y ai travaillé.

Quelle est la stratégie pour atteindre les femmes qui ont besoin de votre appui dans des pays comme la Suisse, l’Angleterre ou les USA ?

Notre première stratégie consiste en une Conférence annuelle qui se tient en septembre, mais qui a été annulée en raison du Covid-19 en 2020. Nous avons également une liste de distribution – la mailing list – qui est régulièrement mise à jour et informe sur nos activités. Nous utilisons également les médias sociaux et les webinaires, soit les séminaires sur le web. Nous avons organisé 10 webinaires sur les finances, la santé mentale, ainsi que sur d’autres sujets d’intérêt pour notre population cible. Et nous projetons en 2021 de lancer un programme de mentorat qui donnera lieu à des séances en face à face selon les besoins de nos membres qui pourront profiter de l’accompagnement par nos intervenantes.

Certaines des personnes que vous ciblez sont des migrantes ou des femmes défavorisées vivant dans des conditions difficiles malgré leurs capacités et aptitudes pour être actives sur le marché du travail, et qui gagneraient à bénéficier de votre appui pour sortir du marasme dans lequel elles se trouvent. Quelque chose sera-t-il fait ou est-il fait pour les atteindre ?

Je dois reconnaître que nous ne pouvons pas atteindre tout le monde. Mais nous croyons à l’impact que peuvent avoir sur les autres l’histoire et le parcours personnels par exemple d’une migrante qui a pu s’en sortir et lancer son business ou trouver du travail. Nous comptons ouvrir en 2021 un Centre pour Femmes pour lequel nous devons réunir l’argent nécessaire à son financement. Il servira de centre de formation, d’accompagnement et de mentorat. Ce sera aussi une plateforme de partage, car beaucoup de nos membres travaillent avec des organisations internationales et nous les appelons à partager leurs histoires de réussites, donner quelques conseils, ou même donner aux participantes l’opportunité de faire des rencontres professionnelles intéressantes. J’en connais qui ont lancé leur propre business après s’être rencontrées à l’une de nos conférences, d’autres ont trouvé du travail après avoir été présentées, d’autres encore ont décroché un rendez-vous. Je pense qu’il appartient aux femmes d’être proactives.

Votre Centre, sera-t-il accessible à votre population cible qui a des difficultés financières ?

Notre projet n’étant pas à but lucratif, nous allons tenir compte des conditions de notre groupe cible et appliquer un tarif léger pour pouvoir payer le loyer, l’entretien des locaux, les conférenciers et conférencières, ainsi que les formateurs et formatrices. Mais les formations et autres activités seront gratuites.

Étant moi-même issue de la migration, je suis bien placée pour savoir que certaines femmes qui sont en Suisse avec leurs diplômes et certifications pourraient être intéressées mais se trouvent dans l’incapacité financière d’intégrer votre projet. Pensez-vous qu’il sera possible de les accueillir gratuitement?

Oui, cette option peut être considérée si par ailleurs nous comptons suffisamment de femmes qui sont en position de payer. Nous avons l’intention de collaborer avec les organisations travaillant avec les migrantes.

Ma dernière question concerne votre réseau. Êtes-vous en partenariat avec les associations de femmes ici en Suisse, les institutions œuvrant avec les femmes et la migration ?

Oui, nous venons de lancer des contacts avec celles qui travaillent avec les réfugiées et les migrantes, nous sommes en contacts avec le Canton de Genève, plus précisément le département en charge de la cohésion sociale et de la solidarité, nous travaillons ensemble sur un documentaire sur le racisme qui doit sortir en 2021. Nous essayons également de mettre en place des partenariats avec les organisations qui fournissent des espaces de coworking ainsi que celles qui s’occupent des migrant.e.s. Et certains partenariats vont appuyer notre Centre pour Femmes, afin de pouvoir encadrer les femmes au mieux. Si par exemple nous ne sommes pas en mesure de prodiguer une formation, nous pourrons passer le relai pour qu’une organisation partenaire puisse la prendre en charge.

Propos recueillis et traduits de l’anglais vers le français par:

Marie-Cécile INARUKUNDO

Membre de la rédaction vaudoise de Voix d’Exils

The interview of Liza Sekaggya in english is below:

Pour aller plus loin:

Retrouvez PWG sur son site internet: PhenomenalWomenGlobal.com, ou sur ses réseaux sociaux:  facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

Multilingual news on the measures taken by Switzerland to fight Coronavirus

L’Entraide Protestante Suisse (EPER), in collaboration with the Canton of Vaud and the University of Lausanne releases “CoronaNEWS”: weekly information videos, in four languages: ​​(English, Arabic, Spanish and Tigrinya to begin), which relays measures and decisions taken by the Swiss governement to fight Coronavirus.

In order for all people in Switzerland to participate in the solidarity effort and to be optimally protected against the Coronavirus epidemic, it is essential that they have access to official information in their own language.

You will find the videos below:

EPER

Canton of Vaud

Facebook

Instagram

Feel free to spread these videos on your networks and share abundantly on social networks!

CoronaNEWS

External editor of Voix d’Exils

 

To go further:

https://www.eper.ch/coronanews

Save lives by spreading prevention messages in several languages

Switzerland has been in an extraordinary situation since Monday March 16. The number of cases of COVID-19 is increasing rapidly. The entire population is concerned and must urgently adopt responsible behavior. In order to limit the number of seriously ill and not to overburden our health system, we must act together and show solidarity.
Getting essential messages across multiple languages helps to save lives, as information helps raise awareness of this serious problem and thus promotes responsible and civic behavior.

The aim is: to slow down the spread of the epidemic, protect people at increased risk of complications (i.e especially vulnerable people) and thus to allow health services to better  manage severe cases. Particularly vulnerable people are those over 65 years and those who are already suffering from an illness.

Messages to be widely disseminated:

The Federal Council is the government of Switzerland.

The Federal Council’s message of recommendation is:

« Stay at home, especially if you are sick or aged 65 and over, unless you have to go to work and can’t work from home, unless you have to go to the doctor or pharmacy, unless you have to go shopping or help someone. The Federal Council and Switzerland are counting on you »

On the website of the Federal Office of Health (FOPH) /https://foph-coronavirus.ch/downloads/ the most important informations is constantly updated in several languages (Albanian, Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, Portuguese), Serbian, Bosnian, Croatian and Turkish). Other languages (including Farsi, Kurdish, Somali, Tamil and Tigrinya) will follow according to the Lausanne Office for Immigrants (BLI).

Please distribute these key messages to people who do not speak French and beware of unverified news.

Be responsible and in solidarity with vulnerable people.

Take care of yourself and your loved ones.

The editorial staff of Voix d’Exils

 

First-hand informations about Coronavirus (in english)

Swiss coronavirus infoline:

To carry out a pre-diagnosis yourself and not overload the emergency services: https://coronavirus.unisante.ch/en

Number for the population: 058 463 00 00, every day, 24 hours a day

Number for health professionals: 058 462 21 00 every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

International:

World Health Organization (WHO) site https://www.who.int/en

Federal State:

Federal Office of Public Health: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home.html

 

 

 

From the risk of death to the platforms to defend freedom of expression

Nabil Alosaidi is a Yemeni journalist and member of the Council of the Yemeni Journalists Syndicate since 2009. He was chairman of the training and rehabilitation committee and supervisor of the freedoms committee of the union.  He has been living in Switzerland for three years now because of the war in his country. Nabil Alosaidi participates in many events held at the Human Rights Council to convey the voices of the victims and to identify violations of freedom of opinion and expression. Reporters Without Borders has classified Yemen as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists.

The beginnings

“I began my relationship with the press as a hobby. During my high school studies, I began to write for some Yemeni newspapers. Then, I continued to acquire more journalism skills studying at the Media College and the University of Sana’a. I worked for many Yemeni newspapers until I became a correspondent and director of the office of Okaz, a Saudi newspaper, in Yemen.” tells Nabil Alosaidi.

The struggle for professionalism and independence

Nabil Alosaidi says that the difficulties on professional and personal levels do not allow the independent Yemeni press to appear. The political and partisan activities, political disputes and conflicts between power centers interfere with the functioning of the press in Yemen. The independent press is important in the country where people need to hear an independent voice that belongs to them.

“Personally, I have faced these difficulties with courage, like do many Yemeni journalists who dream of a homeland with independent press and freedom of speech. I’m still struggling for it, while the war keeps attacking the press continuously. All the parties of the conflict arrest journalists and prevent the voices of the other. Journalists are facing blackmail, detention, abduction and are assassinated. Now ten of our young journalists are in trial, facing the risk of execution” tells Nabil Alosaidi.

Seeking asylum in Switzerland

Nabil Alosaidi believes that the profession of journalism has always been dangerous in Yemen, especially over the last few years of the war between many parties disputing power. For instance, in September 2014, the Houthi militias swept through Sana’a and overturned the government taking control of its institutions, including the media and the press. They occupied newspapers, radio and television buildings and closed the opposition newspapers.

Nabil Alosaidi describes the story of his survival saying: “I had to move from one city to the next until I reached the city of Taiz, where I stayed hidden with the help of relatives and friends. After a few months, I had to move out of the sieged city before they could discover my place. It was like an impossible task because of the closure of all the exits of Taiz. I walked a long distance until I managed to exit the city and then moved between cities to reach Saudi Arabia. I stayed there for a few months before I could travel to Switzerland. I was part of a media delegation accompanying the negotiations between the Yemeni government and the Houthi militias in Geneva. Because the war did not allow an independent press and forced the journalists to side by one of the parties in the conflict, I decided to stay in Switzerland seeking protection and freedom.”

Nabil Alosaidi believes that staying in Switzerland has greatly influenced his professional career in the press. Here, he started to defend the victims of the human rights violations in Yemen. The protection and the freedom he obtained in Switzerland allows him to deliver the voices of Yemeni journalists to the international community and to the human rights organizations. He is determined to continue defending the freedom of press and journalist detainees in the forums of international press and human rights until the press recovers in Yemen. While in Switzerland, Alosaidi could also lead a press campaign, the most known and the strongest ever, against corruption in the Yemeni government. He has received the Journalism Award for Integrity and Combating Corruption and the Public Anti-Corruption Personality Award in 2018 for this campaign. 

Wafa Al Sagheer

Membre de la rédaction vaudoise de Voix d’Exils

Article traduit de l’anglais vers le français par MHER

Contributeur externe de Voix d’Exils

Version française de l’article ici