New Year’s reception

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Waiting for the guests

The Bern city and cantonal authorities traditionally arrive in a horse-drawn carriage swissinfo.ch

An arriving diplomat is attended to by a member of the protocol staff swissinfo.ch

An African diplomat provides some colour to proceedings swissinfo.ch

Vatican Nuncio Monsignor Francesco Canalini usually gives the opening speech swissinfo.ch

The diplomats line up in the reception room of the Bernerhof building swissinfo.ch

A map helps make sure everyone is where they belong swissinfo.ch

A member of the protocol staff makes one last check swissinfo.ch

There's still time for one last call before President Couchepin arrives swissinfo.ch

The last guests arrive swissinfo.ch

The president greets each of the representatives from 120 nations swissinfo.ch

Drinks are in great demand after the business is over swissinfo.ch

A break for the president's support cast swissinfo.ch

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Swiss President Pascal Couchepin meets and greets the diplomatic corps at a New Year reception.

At the start of every year, the Swiss president receives diplomatic representatives from over 100 nations. (pictures and text: Christoph Balsiger, swissinfo)