Your florist For all events! Promenade · 3780 Gstaad · Tel. 033 748 99 11 www.wittwerblumen.ch · wittwer-fleurs@bluewin.ch GSTAAD – ROUGEMONT CHÂTEAU-D’OEX – GRUYERE CHALETS & APARTMENTS FOR SALE Compagnie Foncière SA 1659 Rougemont Tél. +41 (0)26 925 10 00 Fax. +41 (0)26 925 10 <strong>05</strong> www.gstaadrealestate.com Müller · Gstaad
Spreading the wealth It’s <strong>no</strong> secret that many guests and residents of Gstaad have a certain amount of wealth. However, what is less obvious is how they choose to spend it. In many cases, it is quite humble, as a great deal spend their time and money on various worthy charitable causes. Some create their own, some prefer a handson approach, some graciously send financial aid to far off places in need, and some offer their help locally. The entire process of charity is one which I find particularly commendable and vital. If more people gave to those in need, there would be less people in need to give to. This seems evident e<strong>no</strong>ugh, and yet it is surprising how many people go through their whole lives hording and accumulating a fortune of their own, without giving a second thought to helping someone with less opportunity or possibility to do the same. There is <strong>no</strong> reason to pass judgment on those who do <strong>no</strong>t give. However the fact that they are in the majority does emphasize the importance of those that do. It is often especiallyimportant to give back to the community in which you live. I wrote an editorial about local Gstaad charities last year to that effect. However, there are RELIABLE WEATHER Don’t forget to check page 2 of your Anzeiger von Saanen. MASTHEAD Editorial: Alexandra de Scheel alexandra.descheel@gstaadlife.ch Antoinette de Scheel antoinette.descheel@gstaadlife.ch Xavier Ferguson xavier.ferguson@gstaadlife.ch Frank Müller-Brand frank.mueller@gstaadlife.ch Marc Rome (Arts column) mr.rome@ukonline.co.uk Peter Kuntze-Schneider (Advertising) peter.kuntze@gstaadlife.ch Publishing, Conception, Printing: Müller Marketing & Druck AG, Gstaad Subscriptions: Tel. 033 748 88 74, Elsbeth Wyss Photo made available also many national Swiss charities which deserve a closer look. For example, the COMPASS Foundation is an independent and <strong>no</strong>n-profit organization that works to assist national governments and international organizations in areas of negotiations and mediation. It also provides help in training for problem-solving and negotiation with the aim of reaching peaceful solutions to combustible situations, and provides ideas and strategic concepts to help improve the eco<strong>no</strong>mic and social conditions of the underprivileged. A<strong>no</strong>ther example is Secours suisse d’hiver (Swiss Winter Help) which supports people in need all year round. It helps around 10,000 people through times of crisis through the provision of financial and material assistance. A<strong>no</strong>ther charitable angle would be the Swiss Solidarity Chain, which supports emergency operations for people affected by war or natural disasters through public donations. Or you could give to Vivamos Mejor, which is a private Swiss foundation without any political or religious affiliations. It is aimed at reducing poverty and ensuring longterm improvement in living conditions for the most disadvantaged social groups. On a very local level there is also the option of The Swiss Red Cross or Swiss Salvation Army; both follow same basic model as their counterparts in other countries, with their focus being national and internal. If you believe that there are causes abroad which need our attention more than local ones, Switzerland can still offer a charity to fit your belief. There are various relief organizations such as Caritas Suisse, EPER / HEKS or the Swiss Exhibition with a WOW effect Guy Le Baube generously donated one of his famous photographs to be auctioned off in favour of the “Fondation Lionel Perrier”, Charity Gala in Gstaad coming up in February 2006. EDITORIAL Catholic Lenten Fund. There are also more wellk<strong>no</strong>wn charities such as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), which is the largest independent humanitarian medical aid agency. Iamaneh is a<strong>no</strong>ther option; it is part of an international network which supports other organization’s projects aimed at helping countries where the health of women and children is affected by poverty and war. Medair, which provides humanitarian assistance to remote and inaccessible countries affected by war or natural disaster, is yet a<strong>no</strong>ther in an infinite list of opportunities for charity in Switzerland. No matter which area you want to get involved in or what kind of charity is your preference, there is <strong>no</strong>thing that Swiss organizations don’t cover. If charity is something that you find important and/or enjoyable then you may as well look into the national and international ones we have right here. For more information on those mentioned and more, visit http://www.swisspolitics.org/en/ and click on “Humanitarian tradition”. by Alexandra de Scheel Send your feedback and comments to talkingpoint@gstaad.ch Last Friday, a vernissage of a special kind, produced by Marion de Picciotto, took place at the “Comptoir d’Enhaut chez Tchou” in Rougemont. French born, award winning photographer Guy Le Baube had the in-crowd over to see his exciting and phe<strong>no</strong>menal photographs. Glamorous, sexy and erotic, Le Baube’s work, all in black and white, has a touch of the sexiness of H.Newton and the playfulness J-H Lartigue. Highly esteemed for his editorial work in fashion magazines, his photography has been seen in Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Elle etc... The artist has chosen to unveillled for us his very private & behind the scene work, <strong>no</strong>w lives between New York & Miami, is thrilled to see the visitors being ever so interested in his bold and witty work. The exhibition and sale of the artwork in Rougemont will continue to the end of this month. Susy Wolf Photos by Art Explsion 3
Change language