The pastrami is piled so high that a knife holds the sandwich together. It’s passed across the counter with crisp roast potatoes, while under the black pendant lamps, the team share a laugh together. This is Grand Appétit on Place Bel-Air, and the counter is where it all happens. Left to Right: Benjamin, Basille, Sébastien and Florian Florian and Benjamin de Schoenburg-Waldenburg wanted a place where people could sit close to the kitchen and stay awhile. Two years on from opening, it still works that way. Guests watch their food being prepared and ask about what's on their plate, often over a glass of wine. It’s like sitting in your friend's kitchen while they make you dinner. From family kitchens to Place Bel-Air That feeling was there from the start. Florian and Benjamin, partners in life as well as business, wanted people to feel at home, as welcome guests in theirs. Their love of food began in family kitchens. Both remember their mothers cooking for friends and family. Benjamin was about five when he first found his place in the kitchen beside his, before everyone came to the table. Neither took a straight path to Nyon. Benjamin spent around 20 years in finance and was “not ready to work for the next 20 years in the same sector.” Florian had built a career in fashion. Benjamin retrained at EHL (École hôtelière de Lausanne), and the dream of a place built around food and good products started to become real. Nyon was a practical choice at first, sitting neatly between Lausanne and Florian’s work in Geneva, with family close by. But they also fell for the town, where the stunning backdrop of the lake and mountains is part of everyday life and with an international community that gives Nyon its own character. When they found the space on Place Bel-Air, they could see its potential. They could also see how quiet the square was. Florian calls it "the Sleeping Beauty", and they wanted to help wake her up. A different kind of place in Nyon Did Nyon need a place like Grand Appétit? Yes and no, they say. The town already had plenty of good restaurants, each with its own personality, but they felt there was room for somewhere relaxed and informal that still took the food seriously. When they opened, there were almost no tables, just the counter. Benjamin expected the fine food shop to be half the business. It didn't turn out that way. They listened to their guests, and the restaurant grew naturally around the way people wanted to use the space. The duo want Grand Appétit to be a place where people feel safe being themselves. Perfection isn’t the point here. "Nobody's perfect, and our kitchen and our service are not perfect," Florian says. Instead, he calls the place a "cabinet of curiosity", somewhere you can ask questions and discover things at your own pace. Nobody expects you to know what to order or how to talk about wine. "We don't force," he says. "We listen a lot." From the pantry to the plate The counter is still the heart of the room. By day, light pours in through the big windows. In the evening, the lamps come on and the room turns warm and cosy. It's also where the restaurant, the fine food shop and the wine cellar come together. If you love a wine you've had with dinner, you can take a bottle home without having to source it elsewhere. Benjamin plans the menu a week ahead. Lunch changes every day, while a handful of evening specials stay on for the week. What goes on them depends on the season, what he can find, and on what he wants to eat. "It's more my stomach than my brain," he laughs. The pastrami sandwich though, has become a firm favourite with regulars. Some products come from Switzerland; others come from just over the border in France and Italy, chosen through relationships with more than 120 distributors and producers whose ingredients and specialities they believe in. Warmth without pretence Neither founder came from the restaurant world. For the first months it was just the two of them, sometimes working more than 80 hours a week and learning from their mistakes as they went. Not everyone took them seriously at the start, Benjamin admits, but he feels they have since earned some respect for their journey. Funnily enough, it's Florian, not the former finance guy, who keeps the numbers in order. A self-confessed geek, he built his own AI-powered system to keep track of suppliers and clients once there was too much to hold in his head. They have also learned how to work together as a couple and business partners. There can be friction when you share both a home and a business, they acknowledge, but communication and respect for each other’s roles help them move forward. Benjamin leads the kitchen, and Florian looks after hospitality and the systems behind the business. About six months in, Sébastien and Basille joined, making the team complete. Basille was thrown in the deep end on his first evening, a surprise birthday party for one of the founders, with family and friends filling the room. Florian looks for people who are willing to learn and treat others with respect. "It's fine not to know," he says. They work hard, but nobody takes themselves too seriously. Bringing people together on Place Bel-Air Plenty of new restaurants don't survive their first year, so they are proud of how far they have come. They're now building up the catering side for customers who want a favourite dish at home without having to prepare or cook it themselves. Someone might want the lasagne they loved at lunch, or a piece of foie gras for Christmas. They also love creating special evenings. At the end of October, they hosted La Chasse, an evening built around a six-course game menu, with Vincent Graenicher of Domaine Penloup. When we spoke, they were already planning another evening event, this time for Thanksgiving, with Nyon’s American community in mind. The idea was for friends and families to share dishes from a set menu around the table, maybe with a few games to get everyone talking. A place to belong Some places take a while to get to know you. By my third visit to Grand Appétit, I was greeted like a friend who had been coming for years. Nyon has plenty of people who come and go, and a welcome like that makes it easier to feel connected. It’s exactly what they hoped to build, and it’s spreading out onto the square. The BAFmarket (Bel-Air Food Market) is how that happens. Instead of spending heavily on marketing, they put their time into events that bring people to Place Bel-Air. The region had plenty of festivals but none really about food, and their goal is for Nyon to become the food town of the canton. Held several times a year and free to attend, the market brings together street food from around the world and local produce, with Grand Appétit running the central bar since day one. In May 2026, the square also hosted the Swiss Street Food Awards, with ten food trucks competing for the Best of Romandie title. Next up is Noël à Bel-Air in December (dates at bafmarket.ch). Looking ahead Asked how he hopes people will remember Grand Appétit in years to come, Florian talks about authenticity and the stories of their producers. Mostly, he talks about the conversations at the counter, when someone asks why a product was chosen or how it's made. The menu will change. He hopes that the closeness they've built won't. Their story is also a reminder for anyone who has spent years in one career and quietly wondered about another. Florian and Benjamin took a chance on a dream with no restaurant experience, and two years on, it’s working. If you haven't been yet, the counter is waiting. Come for lunch or book an evening with friends, and ask what's cooking. They will be so happy to tell you. Grand Appétit Address: Place Bel-Air 5, 1260 Nyon Website: https://grandappetit.ch/ Bookings: : 022 990 00 55 Photo and Video Credit: Betty @newin_nyon

This Living in Nyon editor first saw Johnny Clegg perform in 1988 in the Royal Albert Hall in London supporting Stevie Winwood. Back then Johnny performed with abundant energy and superb stage presence. Last night under a Nyon sky (with the moon appearing from behind the stage to add dramatic effect to the concert), as he sang "Under African Skies" it was clear that 22 years later nothing had changed, the man still has what it takes to command and deserve the big stage - a superb concert. Below the barefoot writer-Jonas Parson gives his impression of the same concert and also of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Hugues Aufray. Paléo -Thursday Now if Tuesday was the trash rock evening, and Wednesday the hyped musicians evening, Thursday was definately a day of legends. Starting off with Hugues Aufray, 80 years old and still going. He was the one who wrote the famous Santiano song, along with many other classics that are still sung round campfires in all French speaking parts of the world. Even under the pouring rain, you could feel the emotion of all those different generations who all grew up singing the same songs. Part of Aufray’s show was dedicated to Dylan, with versions of Blowin’ in the Wind, Mr Tambourine Man and other songs, sung in French! It was quite a disturbing impression at first, before you actually understood what’ was going on. You started singing, only to realize that the lyrics aren’t the same… And then; “What? Is he actually singing Dylan in French?” So that was a meeting with happy memories for the crowd, be they young or old. It isn’t because Aufray is old that nobody listens to him, quite the contrary. As many young people as older ones were there in front of the stage, showing once again the power of music to bring people (sometimes complete strangers) together. After two days of wonderful weather, Thursday was well set on becoming a remake of Woodstock and co, with the rain and the mud everywhere. IT was the occasion for everyone to take out their special Paleo rain jacket, the staff wearing last year’s unfinished stock. But the rain didn’t last, and by the end of the concert, the sky was dry again, so as to give the boat Santiano good sailing conditions for its trip to San Francisco. It must have been one mighty boat, because nearly the whole of Paleo jumped on board, rocking the boat away! Traipsing through the mud after the concert, the comfortable squelch of mud under my feet, it was time for a morsel before another legend (or rather, legends) sent us sky-high at l’Asse. Not especially knowing Crosby Stills and Nash before the concert, all I knew was that they’d played at Woodstock, and that they were part of our musical history. I was amazed by everything they did. The guitar, the voice, the whole of the concert was just wonderful. I really had the impression of living part of history watching them, one of the bands that made it possible for so many small bands to play today. Had they not been playing in the 60’s, go knows what music would be like today. After the concert, I had the pleasure of meeting a real fan, a man in his fifties who told me that he’d been waiting for them for the last fifteen years. He was just more than happy. He could hardly speak anymore, rather overwhelming I gather. Then it was time for the "White Zulu" to take the whole of l’Asse to Africa. After 30 years of concerts, Johny Clegg didn’t seem to be tiring. Quite the opposite if you can judge by his dancing and the way he behaved on stage. Running from one end of the stage to the other, jumping about in every direction, he just looked happy. That was probably the night’s main discovery for me, the concert was just amazing. I’m pretty sure that Johny Clegg might appear onto my Ipod one of these days…. So what an evening! And with all these concerts, I haven't had time to go and have a look at the Ruche, the area devoted to circus shows. There's usually always a nice company playing, and it's nearly always worth it! Photo below. Ed: Other concerts last night early in the evening included Hugh Masekela in the Dome. Even though a lot of fans were a tad bedraggled and wet due to the early rainstorm, Hugh urged the audience not to complain too much as he reminded us a bit of water didn't really do any harm as there those in other countries who really are suffering for so many other serious reasons, a sobering moment for us all. Photo below the fires warming the fans up by night. This is the last year these fires will be here so go see them and sit by them to appreciate the atmosphere before it's too late. Over in the club tent and in the chapiteau the sound of very appreciative cheering crowds drew many people over to listen to Revolver and Archive. I caught only the end of each show but despite hearing only a few minutes of each I now want to hear more. That's the beauty of Paléo - discovering new music.

There is a "back to school" feeling around Nyon at the moment, as "La Rentrée" - the return to school for state school children began last week and it will soon be the same for children attending private schools. For adults wanting to go back to "school" themselves, there are further education options available in Nyon with classes through Migros Ecole (the classrooms and the reception are just below La Combe shopping centre). Their brochure for 2010/2011 lists courses from French to Cooking to I.T e.g (Power point, Photoshop) to dancing Rock and Roll. They also run some courses in English, such as drawing and painting, art history, and "exploring wine tasting". See website for more info. If you are interested in learning music then the Conservatoire of Nyon (on the lake side) opens its doors this week for "organisation and registration" and its courses officially start next week. The Conservatoire has an excellent reputation for its teaching of adults of children and adults in a wide range of musical activities from jazz workshops to learning guitar, flute, piano, harp, trumpet. The Conservatoire also organises Sunday afternoon classical and jazz concerts fot the public. See their website for full listings and you can read more about it her in a previous post on Living in Nyon. Photo above - a concert at the Conservatoire of Nyon.

"I've been coming to Paléo since I was a few months old, my dad works here, many of my friends too, so it's part of my life, I also love discovering all the different kinds of music and bands that play here " Jonas Parson - writer and volunteer ar Paléo. Living in Nyon is delighted that this year Jonas Parson will be writing for this site all about his experience of Paléo from the atmosphere, to the music. Jonas is 17 and has just finished his studies at the Gymnase of Nyon. Whilst there he was part of the editorial team of the school magazine called "La Herissé". Jonas also works at Paléo as one of the thousands of volunteers, this year he is there in the capacity of "Aspirator" (Vacuum Cleaner). The Aspirators keep the place tidy and the loos clean for the festival goers. There will be more about these Aspirators on this site later on in the week. Jonas himself says he has an eclectic taste in music; " I like lots of stuff, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young etc. Ialso like the Artic Monkeys and the Fratellis. Last year at Paléo there were three particularly good French bands; La Rue Ketanou, Les Ogres de Barback and Debout sur le Zinc, it was a good year. However there are some years when I go not really knowing much about the performers but end up liking them and then maybe making the effort to see them elsewhere. For example last year the group Caravan Palace came to Paléo and it was such a good night I went to see them again at the "Docks" (Ed note: See review of Caravan Palace on last year's Living in Nyon). As for going to other local music venues, Jonas likes to go to the Parenthese in Nyon or the Usine a Gaz or L'ecurie (a venue in a building behind Geneva railway station). Why the barefoot writer? Jonas says from the month of March onwards he ditches his shoes, he even did this while studying at Gymnase. Most of the time he alternates between barefeet or Doc Martins, just like his choice in music, an eclectic taste. Here is Jonas's impression of last night "After a beer and sweat laden Tuesday evening with the bearded villains of Mötörhead, on Wednesday it was way time for some gentler – but none the less "full of punch" type bands. The evening started off to the tune of Olivia Ruiz’s mushroom pancakes. (Oh, please come back ! If you do, I’ll make you some crêpes aux champignons…). Dancing and whirling about on stage, this girl really knows how to make a show ! With her magic rotating mirror, about three metres high, her musicians just made you want to dance, Ruiz had the crowd singing away at some moments, and swinging away all the time. Even under the burning sun of the Paléo festival, the « femme chocolat » did not melt away in front of the crowd ! The concert ended just as it started pouring down, the timing perfect to the second. It rained just enough to moisten the grounds and keep the dust where it should be (not in our eyes and throats, but on the ground…) Finding something to eat - The national sport of Paléo y, Before the next show of the evening, Charlie Winston the handsome "hobo", it was time for one of Paleo’s national sports : finding something to eat. Over the years, you tend to stick to one or two favourite stalls where you know you won’t be disappointed, but discovering new food is also part of the fun. My personal favourite is the Paprika, (one of) the Indian stalls in the oriental district of the Paleo, where you can get gorgeous plates of Daal- lentil stew- for ten francs, and chicken for about fifteen. It’s worth a try ! Then off to Charlie Winston barely digesting the meal, but who cares, this is Paleo! What a show that was ! The Cornish dandy, was here to spend a quality moment with us on the grounds of l’Asse. Corresponding with the crowd in quite good French-(he lives in Paris)- he delivered a pop folk performance of top class. Everybody at l’Asse became a hobo for a few minutes, singing away with him with gusto. And after a concert filled with class and energy, we were granted the surprise visit of M on stage. Barely recognizable without his sunglasses and his super-hype haircut, he was invited to riff away on his guitar with the band for their final song. Now that was something worth seeing ! Allthough big bands, loads of excellent artists play one after the other at Paléo, it’s not often that you see one invited on stage for another concert than his. We could see they were having fun on stage, and their pleasure just leaked out onto us, for another wonderful show. After that, it was time to wonder about in the Village du Monde, the place devoted to World Music, this year’s host being South Africa. The decorators had done quite a good job, with three big brown structures, in a mix between a hut and an anthill, giving you room to sit down and have a chat or a morsel with some friends in a relatively calm atmosphere. Then off to the Dome, to see a bit of the Mahotella Queens. We’d been told it was worth it, and it was ! Even at nearly seventy, the three majesties dance about on stage as though they were twenty, in their nice yellow ‘bafana bafana’ t-shirts, the south african football team. Joking about on stage, you could see they had loads of energy left, I was particularly impressed by some of their moves, which showed an agility most people of that age have lost, if they ever had it… It was then time to chill out a bit, watching a bit of M from afar, in the place to be when it starts getting dark, and even more so when it starts getting chilly : by the fire installations in the Quartier des Alpes, to the right of the main stage and just beneath the Village du Monde. The atmosphere there is magic, and it’s perfect to spend some time just chatting with some friends. The more adventurous of the festival goers will then head towards the campsite, where a lively atmosphere is guaranteed, between the fire light music jams, the rockets going off over head, and the nice people everywhere. You can simply come up to a fire, sit down and start talking to anybody, everyone is really nice and friendy it’s the perfect place to make new friends. Banner photo at top - The lively and engaging Swiss group Carousel performing for the press early in the evening. Photo below - two members of British band the Foals (they performed at the chapiteau last night) spotted around the Paléo grounds

A quick reminder that there will be an opportunity for male trailing spouses to meet up next Tuesday at the Brasseurs pub in Nyon from 19:00. The editor of Living in Nyon will be there (see photo to recognise her on Mamicafé link on sidebar) for the first half hour, and then she will leave the men to themselves! Michael, the author of the post on this site "Trudging to Migros and Entertaining the kids in Rain and Snow" will also be there, ( photo on his post). Please email cnp@bluewin.ch if you would like to come along. Other events - The latest show of Elastique Citrique - Nyon's renowned circus/ acrobatic school is called "Bleu Enfin!" and will be running for the next three weekends from the 4th to 20th Feb. Fridays 20:30 Saturdays 19:00 and Sunday 17:00. Juggling, monocycles, acrobatics in the air, it's all in this show, the school always puts on a superb performance and the shows are very popular. Tickets can be bought at the door (the school is situated to the Lausanne side of the main Place Perdstemps carpark in Nyon) See Elastique Citrique for more details. Also this Sunday 6th Feb at 17:00 there be a classical concert at the Conservatoire of Nyon by the lake. Stéphanie Reymonde - pianiste Coralie Ehinger - Theremeniste Tickets for sale at the door. See site. Next week sees the start of Les Hivernales Nyon's winter rock music festival see previous post about this festival.

Every two years the International Women's Club of Nyon holds a charity bazaar in the Salle Communale in the centre of Nyon and this year it will take place on Saturday November 6th from 10:00 -16:00. This event is a big money raiser for Nyon, local and International charities. These charities include La Maison des Enfants à Nyon which provides after school care for children aged 6-12 providing them with a safe place to stay until their parents return home. Many low income families depend on this service and the charity relies on its donations to operate throughout the year. The bazaar itself is a humungous affair and preparation for it begins many months ahead. On the day itself there is lots on offer for the general public. There are stalls for second hand English books, DVDs CDS, toys, jewellery, brocante, homemade cakes and jams, sport articles, textiles, hats and handbags ,a special Christmas stall with decorations etc . You name it you will probably find it there on Saturday! Come and say hello to a friendly face at the Bazaar There will also be a bistro with sandwiches, salads and quiches on offer, it's a good opportunity to sit down and have a bite to eat in between all that shopping. If you are a newly arrived expatriate come and say hello to the ladies behind the stalls and to meet new faces from around the world. You can find out more about the charities the club supports while stocking up on gifts and supplies from all the stalls. Serving food at the Bistro at the last Bazaar Every year there are a raffles at the bazaar and various items and paintings are offered as prizes, such as this painting below of Terre Sainte by Lalita Rochanakorn. Raffle for paintings Or this one by Jackie Boult At the last bazaar there was a stall dedicated to blue and white items, this year it's pink! blue and white items, this year there will be a "pink" stall!

International Gateway to Africa Conference, April begins today 4-6, is open to the public.Gateway to Africa is the first in a series of conferences that seek to bring together statesmen, academicians, doctors and experts, as well as world renowned keynote speakers to discuss the critical issues facing Africa. The topics will address economic development, public health and medicine, energy, education, Africa in international politics, security, youth and the empowerment of women. Among the featured keynote speakers will be: Mr. Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Mr. Rudy Giuliani, former Mayor of New York City Also in attendance will be a host of experts on the various topics. It is free of charge to attend but you need to click through to the website to register.

A great film to kick off the Visions du Réel festival - "Kampf der Königinnen" - "The fight of the Queens" This film will be shown again tonight Friday 22:30 at the Capitole Cinema 1 and Wednesday 13 at 18:30 at the Usine A Gaz. Remember there is a new ticketing system for the festival this year and you can now buy your tickets on line in advance to ensure a seat. Alternatively, you can buy them at the box offices at the Salle Communale or the Théâtre du Marens or Usine a Gaz . The film is in German with subtitles in English and French. The "Avant Première" of the film "The Fight of the Queens" - "Kampf der Königinnen" directed by Nicolas Steiner kicked off Visions du Réel on Wednesday night at the Theatre du Marens to an almost full house. At the screening, the directors and production crew were on hand to answer questions posed by Luciano Barisone, the festival director. When Steiner was asked why he had chosen the subject of the cow fighting as a documentary, he replied that when he was a young boy, if he asked his friends to go out cycling or play basketball with him on the same day of the cow fight, they never wanted to go with him, they wanted to be at the big event. Initially he wasn't interested in it at all, but curiosity got the better of him, he went along, he then became interested in the Swiss tradition and consequently decided to film it. This is not a barbaric fight If you have never been to a "Combat des Reines" and you too are curious, and want to see what it is all about and discover a bit more about Switzerland, then this film is for you. This fight, between two cows done in the public eye in an arena with over 10,000 spectators, is not barbaric. It is not bullfighting between man and bull with blood spilled or a crowd baying for blood. This is simply a confrontation between two animals in which the animal's natural instinct is to defend its pasture, and each year a series of these cow competitions takes place in the Valais region of this country. The film begins in the interior of a cow shed with a farmer feeding and fattening his cow in preparation for the fight. In enters a small child, barely a toddler he stands near the animal and the farmer lets him feed him. This image of the tiny child and the massive beast together is one of many lovely images that appear throughout the film. Check the trailer out on the site to see a great slow motion shot simply of a cow opening and closing one eye. Photo above: Courtesy Visions du Réel. We see local boys getting ready to go to the competition chatting about their motorbikes, and the girls that they hope will be there at the arena. We are also introduced to a radio reporter on his way to the fight, a townie from Zurich who knows nothing about the tradition but thinks it might be worth a look in and reporting on. Quiet scenes gradually bring us into the noise and bustle of the arena itself where hundreds of farmers are gathered with their cows tethered. Cows snorting , cows scratching the ground, cows being weighed and a number painted on their flanks to enter into the competition. Cows called "Shakira", cows called "Melancholy" all waiting for their turn in the ring. The cows are at the centre of this film but its the owners of the cows that are the star turn: the young farmer who is anxious for his cow to win; the pretty young farmer who is ecstastic when her cow qualifies for the next round, the quiet farmer whose sweatshirt is emblazoned with a list of the winning years his cow has won the competition. There are some wonderful portrayals of individuals. Children climb in and out of pick up trucks, teenage boys flirt with girls The day of the fight is also Mother's Day, so to honour it, a line of men in jeans and checked shirts unfurl a banner in the centre of the stadium on which is written " Happy Mother's Day" while the MC shouts out the same over the loudspeaker. Whether this really is a mum's idea of a good day out to celebrate her day is anybody's guess, but the crowd seem happy, and it's a family occasion. They queue up for ice creams, children climb in and out of pick up trucks, teenage boys flirt with girls and try to blend in with the real men in the beer tent. The cinematography and music to the narrative climax are both superb, the final fight a visual treat. When it is finished and the winners are announced, we the audience want the owners of the cows to win as much as they do. When the results are announced we are happy. Yet there is no whooping or screaming from the winners, there is the occasional high five between fellow farmers, the hug of a family member and then it's time to receive the enormous cow bell prize, to pack up and quietly go back up with their beloved animals to the mountain villages until next year.

Milk and Iron – Leite e Ferro by Claudia Priscilla Goifman " Brilliant film" showing tonight.Motherhood in prison Kathy’s seventh and last review at the Visions du Réel festival. “Milk and Iron” will be shown again tonight on 12th April at 20:00 at the Capitole 2 Cinema. This is a European premiere and Kathy says;"I highly recommend this movie.” Kathy says, “The hall was packed, every single seat was occupied. After seeing the movie I understood why, it was brilliant. This is the story of a women’s prison in Sao Paolo, Brazil. I didn’t know they had special prisons for mother and child to be together for the first four months. Claudia, the film director had the idea of the movie when she became a mother herself. She wondered what it meant to be a mother under these circumstances. Four months with their baby We are taken into the world of early motherhood. This prison is different from other prisons: it is only for mothers and their newborn. Here they can spend the first four months very close to their child. The camera zooms into scenes where the mother dresses, sings, bathes and breastfeeds her baby. The proximity of the mother and child is beautiful. It gives the impression that no exterior element can change that. As the mothers snuggle and play with their babies they express their overflowing happiness. Drugs, Sex and Alcohol Luana, the oldest prisoner, has been in and out of jail many times and this is not her first child. She grew up on the streets, fending for herself when the family could not take care of her anymore. She was always naturally curious and easily went up to people. She began stealing little things to eat and later made friends with an older man who made her steal for him. She slipped into drugs and injected the poison into her veins when she was pregnant with her first child at thirteen. The others mothers listen to her endless stories and laugh, confessing their own experiences. Most of them had similar experiences: bad treatment from men, being infected by aids, drinking, selling drugs and surviving an overdose. Community and Religion There is a strong sense of community in the prison. The mothers are often seen sitting together sharing experiences, watching a movie or music video. They exchange advice, keep an eye on each other and give each other mutual help and companionship. The prisoners in turn clean their cells and the common hallways. Religion is also a strong part of their daily life. Luana and her friends are often seen praying or singing together. Prison routine Even though they are mothers they cannot leave the prison. Their uniform consists of a white t-shirt and yellow pant. Most of mothers are happy to have this protected time with their babies. One woman says it is better she spends her time here taking care of her newborn instead of living on the street selling drugs or stealing. Everything is available for the child: clothes, diapers, soap, baby carriage, and plastic bathtub. The rooms are colourfully decorated with pictures and drawings the mothers have made. Meals are delivered and distributed by the prisoners. The children are continuously being breastfed. Separation Each mother knows that these four special months are bound to end. They can give the baby to be cared for by a family member or friend once the time if up. If the family or friend does not show up on the given day the baby will be immediately be handed over to an institution or filed for adoption. The mothers will then be transferred to their former prison to finish their sentence before they can be united with their child again. Film in Portuguese, Subtitles in English and French

Book Signing at Nyon Tourist Office There will be a "Living along Lac Léman" book signing on Friday 4th November from 16:00 -18:00 at Nyon's tourist office. No need to register, just come and pick up a copy, say "hello" and get it signed by the author. This will also be a good opportunity to speak to the tourist staff and to find out about all about the winter tourist activities going on in the area. Can't make this date to pick up a book? There will be another opportunity to purchase a copy and have the book signed at the Léman Events Expat Fair on the 6th November in Lausanne from 11:00-17:00. Living in Nyon will have a stand at the fair. Look for number number 105. Over 120 businesses and service with experience in serving the English speaking community will be at this fair. Plus this year there, will be an International Recruitment Fair i n the same building on the same day. Bring your CV, find out about available jobs, meet potential employers, learn about the local business environment. Article on this fair coming up soon.

"The Adventures of Tin Tin", a new film directed by Stephen Spielberg and produced by Peter Jackson, will be released here in Nyon next Wednesday the 26th October at the Capitole cinema with two screenings of the film at 15:15 and at 18:00. There are lots of events happening around this big event due to the link between Nyon and one of the Tin Tin books written by Belgian artist Hergé. The story, "The Calculus Affair" (in French - "L'affaire Tournesol") is set both in Geneva and in Nyon and some of the landmarks in the illustrations in this book can still be seen in Nyon today. Above - Le Maitre Jacques statue in Nyon featured in The Calculus Affair. Nyon tourist office organises tours throughout the year to see these landmarks such as: the 1953 fire service jeep, the house of Professor Topolino in Route de St Cergue, the Maitre Jacques statue in Rue de Rive, and the walk along the Quai des Alpes along the lake side. The latter has barely changed since the illustrations were first drawn in the book, the plane trees and the green benches are still there! Check out the UK Tin Tin site for more interesting information.. Events happening around next week's launch of film in Nyon.13:00 Guided tour in the steps of Tin Tin in the company of Jean- Michel Paccaud and Luc Paracchini (Tin Tin experts from the Alpart association (Les amis suisses de Tintin). The tour begins at Place Saint-Martin. Note:Reservations necessary for the tour and must be made by Tuesday afternoon. Call Nyon tourist office on 022-365 66 00 Places limited to 25. From 13:00 The 1953 Fire service jeep Willys will be displayed in Place St Martin for fans to see. Competition for dogs! Do you have a dog that looks like Milou (Snowy) in the Tin Tin books? If so, take it to Place St Martin from 15:00 to be judged in a look alike competition. The winning dog will have its photo taken and published in La Côte newspaper with other prizes. Shop window competition There are 21 shop windows around Nyon that have Tin Tin posters displayed to coincide with the launch of the film. Each window has an extract of a sentence, piece all these together and you will discover another sentence. Send your answer to Nyon tourism before the 6th November to win a prize! MAIN EVENT Screenings of the film "The Adventures of Tin Tin" at 15:15 and at 18:00 at the Capitole Cinema. From the 26th Ocotber different Tin Tin products will be on sale at the cinema. A few fun facts about the new Tin Tin film (courtesy Nyon tourist office) Hergé is the pen name for Georges Remi. The name is a play on the French pronunciation of his initials in reverse: R.G. Hergé created Tintin in 1929 as a comic strip in Le Petit Vingtième, a children's supplement to the Belgian newspaper Le XXe Siècle (The 20th Century). Hergé was himself a Boy Scout and created Tintin with the Boy Scouts in mind. The Adventures of Tintin have been collected into 24 books in total. The last complete adventure was published in 1976. The 24thtitle, Tintin and the Alph-Art, was never completed but published posthumously in 1986. The Tintin books have sold over 250 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 100 languages. Hergé’s signature ligne claire style (or clear line) influenced such artists as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Tintin’s adventures took him to both real and fictitious locations. Hergé was an “armchair traveller” and based his drawings by meticulously recreating places around the world based on pictures in National Geographic and other references. The Tintin stories incorporate a number of genres, including mystery, adventure, fantasy, science fiction and satire, all with elements of comedy. Hergé based Tintin’s environment on his own home town of Brussels, Belgium, though the city is not mentioned by name. One of the film’s conceptual designers travelled to Brussels to gather references for designing iconic locations like Tintin’s apartment at 26 Labrador Road and Marlinspike Hall. Tintin is the character’s last name (we don’t know his first). He is somewhere between 17 and 19 years old. He is an investigative reporter by profession, an adventurer and a detective, skilled at nearly everything, and honest and decent by nature. Tintin lives at 26 Labrador Road. He is played by Jamie Bell in the film. Snowy is a white Fox Terrier (technically not a breed that exists as fox terriers have brown and black markings). He often finds the missing clue or saves the day but quickly reverts to his animal nature when Mrs. Finch’s cat is around. He is also known to take a sip of Haddock’s liquor when the opportunity arises. Captain Archibald Haddock’s first name is unknown until the final book, Tintin and the Picaros. He is a salty sea captain fond of colorful insults and partial to drink. He is introduced in The Crab with the Golden Claws. He is played by Andy Serkis in the film. Thompson & Thomson (mind your p’s) are plain-clothed policemen. Though they’re often referred to as the “Thom(p)son Twins”, they are not twins. In fact, they are not related. Their only discernable difference is the shape of their moustaches—Thompson’s curls up at the ends, while Thomson’s does not. They tend to garble, bumble and bungle anything they can, including words. They are played by Nick Frost (Thomson) and Simon Pegg (Thompson) in the film. Omar Ben Salaad is a wealthy businessman who lives in Morocco. He appears to be the pillar of his community, but in realty has some shady dealings and shadier friends. He is played by Gad Elmaleh in the film. Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine is a collector of model ships with a mysterious past. He has come to live at Marlinspike Hall. He is played by Daniel Craig in the film. Hergé believed Steven Spielberg was the perfect director to bring his characters to the big screen. Unfortunately, he passed away just days before he and Spielberg were to meet for the first time. The film’s story is taken from The Secret of the Unicorn (book #11, published 1942-1943), The Crab with the Golden Claws (book #9, published 1940-1941) and Red Rackham’s Treasure (book #12, published 1943-1944). When Steven Spielberg approached Peter Jackson about his company Weta Digital creating an animated test for Snowy, Jackson sent him a clip with the Lord of the Rings director himself playing Captain Haddock while an animated Snowy cavorts around him. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost worked with movement coach, choreographer and Cirque de Soleil veteran Terry Notary for a week to create the carefully coordinated pratfalls of Thompson and Thomson. Jamie Bell said the physical demands of the role of Tintin exceeded even those of his performance as young dancer in Billy Elliot. Most of the Weta animators working on the film were lifelong Tintin fans. Among the images Hergé meticulously researched were the vehicles that appeared in the comics, such as a 1937 Ford and a sea plane. The animation team followed suit, locating even the model and year to use as reference for the versions that appear in the film. Over a dozen countries were represented by the film’s cast and crew, including Czech Republic, South Africa, Germany, Italy, France, the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.

Cinema tonight The film "Tower Heist" will be showing tonight (in English) Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd at 18:45 at Nyon cinema starring Eddie Murphy, Ben Stiller and Casey Affleck. See trailer here on U Tube Quick synopsis: When a group of hard working guys find out they've fallen victim to a wealthy business man's Ponzi scheme, they conspire to rob his high-rise residence. Also at the same cinema tonight as a complete contrast, the documentary "Mediums - from one world to another" will be shown at 20:30. The documentary asks the question "Is there life after death?" To prove it, a spiritual healer takes up the challenge of medium ship sessions in front of the camera to clients and scientists who don't believe in it. Documentary in French. "New Moon" Fondue Evening" This Friday the 25th November there will be a "New Moon" fondue evening by the lake from 19:00 onwards organised by the "Bains de 3 Jetees". Reservation required see site This voluntary association organises many events throughout the year down by the lake (see previous post here) and it also runs the lovely weekend café and sauna. If you have never been here , why not give it a try? there are deckchairs to sit out on the top terrace (with warm woollen blankets provided). If the weather is really inclement, there is a small indoor café with a woodburning stove to warm up in- Hot drinks and cake on the menu. Clothing needed for asylum seekers A reader has sent in the following request: " I am helping to collect winter clothing and other supplies for the asylum seekers in Nyon and Gland. We are looking for clothing in good condition: jeans, trousers, shirts, pullovers, warm jackets, shoes, socks, belts, hats, gloves underclothes (undershirts could be used but underpants should be new), backpacks, book-packs, brief-cases, wallets will all be gratefully received. There are about 130 young men right now (most aged between 18 and 30), with more continually arriving, there's a real and growing need for warm, winter clothes - especially as the Gland group has to be away from their centre during the day. Thank you so much for your support! Please email christine.carey at iprolink.ch More jazz in Nyon this Friday at the 1306 club. Details on flyer below