The Embassy of Switzerland completed 50 years on July 04, 2013. Designed by Swiss architect Hans Hofmann and realized posthumously by his young collaborator Walter Rüegg, the building was inaugurated by the late Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on July 4, 1963. The Swiss Embassy building located in the Diplomatic Enclave in Chanakyapuri is recognized as a significant architectural landmark of New Delhi. More importantly it stands to symbolize in material the strong bond between India and Switzerland. 

To commemorate the 50 years of this edifice, a series of major events around architecture, design and engineering are being organized in India. These are disciplines in which Switzerland excels; they are also strongly emerging fields of study and practice in India. 

Planned from September 2013 to April 2014 in the framework of the Year of Swiss architecture, design and engineering in India these events aim at initiating and enhancing collaborations between India and Switzerland by reaching out to architects, urban planners, designers, engineers, builders, artists, scholars, students as well as the general audience. 

These events will be organized by the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate Generals in Mumbai and Bangalore, in partnership with Presence Switzerland, Pro Helvetia - Swiss Arts Council, Swiss Business Hub, swissnex India and Switzerland Tourism, with the generous support of many companies, whom I would like to thank wholeheartedly. 

I am confident that the Year of Swiss Architecture, Design and Engineering in India will offer a splendid platform for common reflection and push the current collaboration in these fields to new heights. 

Dr. Linus von Castelmur