Swiss Culture Director: 'It Touches Everyone,' Not Just an Elite

Carine Bachmann, the Director of the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (OFC), asserts that culture in Switzerland is a universal pursuit, accessible to all citizens rather than a domain reserved for an elite.

Bachmann shared her positive impressions of the Locarno Film Festival, noting its adeptness at balancing artistic rigor with widespread public engagement. She recalled a personal moment from the festival's opening last year, where she recognized a friend in a supporting role in the film "Le Pays d’Arto," a story set in Armenia where Bachmann had previously lived and worked.

This year, Bachmann attended the festival to discuss the findings of an OFC study concerning the "Lex Netflix." This legislation requires companies offering streaming, video-on-demand, and television services in Switzerland to invest 4% of their revenue into national productions. The initial results of this study are reportedly encouraging.

Bachmann expressed her commitment to ensuring that cultural initiatives are inclusive and beneficial. The OFC's work, including the study on "Lex Netflix," aims to foster a vibrant national cultural landscape that resonates with a broad audience, reinforcing the idea that culture is an integral part of Swiss society for everyone.

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Culture in Switzerland is not a matter of elite, it touches everyone.