Swiss President Alain Berset attended Thursday the Locarno Film Festival, which is being held while actors in Hollywood strike.
“No other cultural field has undergone such changes over the last ten years as the film industry,” said the president in remarks quoted by Keystone-SDA news agency. “We will have to remain very active.”
The actors’ strike, which continues in Hollywood, has not gone unnoticed in Bern and Locarno, with many stars pulling out of the event, the latest of which was that of Cate Blanchett.
Berset spoke of an important strike that highlights the precarious working conditions of cultural actors. Conditions which, as we have seen with the pandemic, are precarious even in our latitudes, he noted.
Carine Bachmann, Director of the Federal Office of Culture (FOC), pointed out that the film industry serves as a model for other cultural sectors, thanks to pre-established contracts. Ms. Bachmann also stressed the “need for independent, diversified and high-quality cinema”.
Swiss foreign minister backs Berset at Council of Europe
This content was published on
Cassis described Berset as the "ideal candidate" to help the Council realise its aim of ensuring security and peace in Europe.
Gay conversion therapy banned in Swiss canton of Valais
This content was published on
On Thursday, the canton approved a new Health Act which includes a ban on therapies aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.
This content was published on
Some aspects of pro-Palestine sit-ins have gone too far, but the right to protest and debate must be upheld, the student association has said.
Swiss LGTBIQ helpline: attacks more than doubled in 2023
This content was published on
Three organisations jointly operating a helpline have called for more awareness, action and funding to address discrimination.
This content was published on
Switzerland's economy grew slightly at the start of 2024, with growth in the service sector contrasting with weak growth in industry.
Swiss employment rate rises in first quarter of 2024
This content was published on
The number of women and foreign nationals in employment increased particularly strongly, the Federal Statistical Office said on Thursday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.