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Leipzig Book Fair, then three German ministers in Berlin
Switzerland is guest of honour at the Leipzig Book Fair: nearly 70 publishing houses and more than 80 writers. At the Gewandhaus, Alain Berset delivers the opening speech, one month after 9 February: multilingual Switzerland explains its singularity to its large neighbour. “Literatur ist der natürliche Feind der Schlagworte.” Later, at the Swiss reception, he apologises for giving the tenth speech of the evening, after nine others.
The next day in Berlin, he meets three members of the new German cabinet for the first time. With Andrea Nahles, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, he discusses ageing and Old-Age Provision 2020; with Hermann Gröhe, Minister of Health, he covers patient safety, hospital financing and cross-border cooperation; with Manuela Schwesig, Minister for Family Affairs, the reconciliation of family and working life. She announces a visit to Switzerland.
Wednesday 12 March 2014 — Leipzig
- Press briefing at the Gewandhaus
- Opening ceremony of the Book Fair at the Gewandhaus: speech by Alain Berset; presentation of the Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding to Pankaj Mishra
- Reception by Pro Helvetia and the embassy at the Schauspielhaus: address
Thursday 13 March 2014 — Berlin
- Working breakfast with Manuela Schwesig, Minister for Family Affairs
- Meeting with Swiss artists at the embassy
- Talks and working lunch with Hermann Gröhe, Minister of Health
- Talks with Andrea Nahles, Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
Speeches on this site
- Das Privileg, uns gegenseitig verstehen zu müssen (in German, French-language page)
- Foire du livre de Leipzig : réception de la Suisse, pays à l’honneur (in German, French-language page)
Sources