Schellen-Ursli at the Swiss National Museum

If you grew up in Switzerland chances are you have read a "Bell for Ursli" by Selina Chonz. It is a classic Swiss children's story from 1945 and set in the canton of Graubünden, with pictures by award-winning Swiss illustrator Alois Carigiet.

Alois Carigiet (1902 – 1985) was a gifted author and illustrator of children’s books, as well as a highly versatile and talented painter.

Currently the National Museum in Zurich illuminates the many different facets of the work of this multi-talented artist. The exhibition starts with a look at Carigiet’s home, the Canton Graubünden. Visitors experience Switzerland’s rich Rhaeto- Romanic culture, the world of children’s literature and Carigiet’s graphic art and painting.

Generations of Swiss children whom have grown up with Schellen-Ursli will experience a blast from the past by stepping into the world of children’s literature and Carigiet’s graphic art and painting.

If you happen to travel to Zürich take your kids to the Swiss National Museum and share a piece of Swiss tradition. The exhibition is open until January 3rd, 2016 at the Landesmuseum Zürich (Museumstrasse 2) right behind the main train station.

Or else make yourself comfortable at home and read it to your children.

On 15 October 2015, Ursli comes to the cinema, with his shaggy black hair and high-water pants, his pointed cap and beaming smile. Don't miss it!

A fascinating day at Lugano's museums

Get ready to enjoy a day at the museum. Tomorrow, Sunday, March 1st, the admission is free!

Lugano's museums are offering free admission to all visitors on Sunday 1 March, 2015. The collections of the Cantonal Art Museum and the Art Museum of the city of Lugano will be showcased at the Palazzo Reali as well as the Wistari and Pylon collections at the Heleneum.

The Cantonal Art Museum offers "Photo. Pictures from the collections " a new staging of works from the permanent collection of Lugano's Art Museum, which traces the evolution of photography in art history.

Visitors will discover photographers from the Ticino, Switzerland and around the world, including Fiorenza Bassetti, Edo Bertoglio, Bernd and Hilla Becher, Gabriel Orozco and Thomas Struth. A free guided tour will be held at 15:00 along with a creative workshop for children. To register call 091/815'79'71 or by write to benedetta.giorgi@ti.ch.

The East Wing of the Museum will be hosting an exhibition of the artist couple Maria Iorio and Raphaël Cuomo entitled "Viavai. Cultural smuggling Switzerland-Lombardia "promoted by Pro Helvetia. The Museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00.

Balinese art and dance as well as Chinese theatre are the protagonists at the Museum of Cultures. "The Balinese art and dance of the Wistari collection" presents 50 works and a selection of photographs relating to Balinese court dancing belonging to Cristina Wistari, one of the most famous dancers of the genre. The exhibition traces the fascinating history of Balinese dance and presents its amazing features and peculiarities.

Further you can visit the colorful world of Peking Opera, Chinese Jingju, through a selection of works from the Pylon Collection, recently donated to the Museum by the Foundation Ada Ceschin and Rosanna Pylon. The Museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00.

So let the world come to Lugano this weekend. The programme is guaranteed to keep children as well as adults entertained. Have fun!

5 things to do in Lugano this summer

Spending the summer in Lugano and need some inspiration? Following are five activities you can get your kids involved in. The goal of my blog is to help you find your perfect match.

1. Lake Lugano
The centerpiece of the city’s life is the fact that it is located on the edge of the romantic Lake Lugano. The lake is around 50 square kilometers in size so there is plenty of fun to be had doing whatever a water baby’s heart desires. There are many water taxis and boat rental possibilities as well as a great deal of restaurants to simply pull in and dock at for a long and lazy shore side meal.

2. Monte Brè
If you haven’t guessed, Lugano’s strong appeal is that it’s all about nature and outdoor activities. If the lake’s scenic views weren’t enough Lugano is surrounded by plush mountains. These mountains afford the largest network of mountain bike trails in the country as well as incredible scenic views and amazing hiking opportunities. One of these mountains is actually Switzerland’s sunniest spot. Monte Brè is tiny traditional village with only 300 inhabitants and well worth a visit. While here if artistically inclined you can visit Wilhem Schmidt Museum and see many examples of the famous Swiss Painter’s work.

3. The Alprose Chocolate Museum
If you have a sweet tooth then you’ve come to the right place. The Alprose Chocolate Museum follows the historical development of chocolate from its creation to present day. Of course, the highlight is the Swiss tradition of chocolate making and don’t worry there are plenty of chances to sample as you study!

4. Hermann Hesse Museum
After all the sun, music and chocolate you can handle why not have a bit of culture for dessert. The Hermann Hesse Museum is located just south off Lugano in Montagnola. The Noble Prize winning author lived half his life here, how could he not be inspired.

5. Summer Festivals
There are music festivals running all through the summer. The Lugano Festival is mainly dedicated to classical music and runs during April and May. It features over a dozen concerts with world renowned orchestras and soloist performing. The second part of the Festival focuses on the Argentinian pianist “Progetto Martha Argerich” in June. This where young and old guest musicians of the international music scene come together to play. Estival Jazz arrives in July and is the premiere Jazz event of Southern Switzerland. Everyone from Miles Davis to Dizzy Gillespie have played at this wonderful event. And if Jazz or Classical music isn’t your style, no worries, because the Blues-to-Bop Festival rolls into town in late August and early September turning the city into a bustling frenzy as thousands crowd the streets and piazzas for more free open-air concerts.

All in all Lugano is the ideal balance between northern Europe and the Mediterranean. It’s the perfect Swiss city with a dash of Mediterranean flair.

Open Gallery #5 in Lugano

Following the success of the Open Gallery event held in Lugano during past Longlake Festivals, OPEN GALLERY #5 will be held on Sunday, July 7th, 2013. For the occasion, Lugano's art galleries will be open to the public between 15:00-20:00. Take advantage of the free entrance to museums and galleries and discover the places in town where art is the protagonist.

Click on the following link for detailed info and a list of particpating locations: http://agendalugano.ch/events

International Museum Day 2012

Every year since 1977, International Museum Day is held worldwide sometime around 18 May. This year, the museum community will celebrate the 35th anniversary of this event: more than 30,000 museums in around 100 countries will hold special activities on this occasion.

The theme of the 2012 International Museum Day, “Museums in a Changing World. New challenges, New inspirations”, invites museums and their visitors to wonder about the role of museums in our society, in an era of numerous changes: IMD2012 is as much about museums growing and shaping their future, as it is about displaying and interpreting new issues like climate change, new media or social responsability.

Discover, explore, experience! On the International Museum Day which is celebrated on May 20th in this country, Swiss museums propose insights into their fascinating collections to children, young people and adults.

Over 130 museums all over Switzerland open their doors for you and will offer a wide range of activities - mostly free. Click here to find a museum near you.

As the weather forecast is rainy - this is a good opportunity to see and do something new. Check out the Museo Cantonale di Storia naturale in Lugano who have a special progamme with children's actvivites planned for today between 10:30 and 17:00.