Zug,21.11.2014

Integration Party to take place today

A special "Integration Party" to which people of every age and every nationality are invited is to take place today.
 
The idea was thought up by Claudia Schütz (photograph), who knows very much what it is like to be an expat in a foreign country. She came to Switzerland 23 years ago from her native Colombia not knowing a word of German. She actually studied electrical engineering at university there, where she also got to know her husband Harry. He also grew up in Bogota as the son of Swiss parents but, unlike his future wife, he went to a German School and of course speaks the language fluently. It was after he graduated, also in electrical engineering, that he got a job in Switzerland and Claudia later joined him.
 
Despite her qualifications, it was not easy for her to find a job here, but she persevered and eventually found one at Landis & Gyr, where she also had the opportunity to learn German.  In 1997 and 1999 sons Alejandro and David appeared on the scene. As they got older she suggested to her employer, which had since become Siemens, that they set up an in-house day nursery. While this did not happen, the company does contribute to child-care fees for children under five.
 
A few years later Schütz set up her own company called Latin Wave, an agency dealing with Latin American cultural projects, managing musical, theatrical and circus acts. Now this enterprising expat has set up "Intercultural Fridays" stating off with this party later today.
 
"We thought it would be a good idea to bring all these people together," she said. "I know from experience that it is easier to get younger children involved in a foreign culture more than older ones. Some find it difficult to get to grips with an alien culture, while others can be ashamed of their parents' culture.  I know, too, that there are women from all over the world here in Zug who have language problems, making it difficult for them to integrate fully. Some of them do not even know there is a cantonal advisory centre for immigrants."
 
Now, with the help of her niece Valeria, Karen Küng from the Latin American Ladies' Association (VLAF) and 20- year-old Fabian Gubser, she has set up this programme bringing people together. What is more, it is being supported by a cantonal youth development programme. From 4 pm, at this centre at number 45 Industriestrasse in the city, representatives of the Cantonal Immigration Advisory Centre will be present to provide relevant information to those who need it. The Tamil Cultural Association, the VLAF, the Indonesian One World Association and the IBA integration support group will also be present and ensuring no-one will go hungry. Other associations of foreign nationals are also welcome to join and set up a stand (for CHF 20) if they wish. Then there are workshops on offer at CHF 5 each.
 
At 5.30 prompt, Miguel Camero will be offering Beatbox training as Harry Fuchs will be on hand to give a crash course in Swiss-German. Pit Bühler will also be present if anyone wants to try out different styles of make-up before enjoying a photo-shooting session.
 
Naturally music has not been forgotten; from 8.30pm onwards the Chillout Zone, Camero Grand Beatbox and Murphy Left bands will be performing.
 
You can register your intention to attend on info@latinwave.ch and find out more on www.facebook.com/interkulturellefreitage.