Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine Christoph BROON: “EACH CITY AND REGION IN UKRAINE OFFERS MUCH INTERESTING TO THOSE, WHO ARE ORIENTED TO LEARN MORE IN THE FIELD OF GEOGRAPHY, CULTURE AND HISTORY”

Switzerland is real paradise in the center of Europe. The country, associated with such notions as bank system, watches, chocolate, knives and ski resorts, attracts as the place of respectable pastime, a cozy area with high level of life, where, from the point of view of an ordinary Ukrainian, people live, wallowing in luxury. What do Swiss think about our country? How do they imagine Ukraine? What do they feel when they come here?

Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine Christoph Broon

We decided to address these questions to the person, who has an opportunity to compare the two countries. Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine and Belarus, Colonel of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Switzerland Christoph BROON became the interlocutor of “Prime Excursion Bureau”. It is very instructive to listen to him. At the same time one realizes what huge touristic and informative potential Ukraine and its capital have and how much is to be done on the eve of EURO-2012. It turns out that European tourists can be easily amazed by our country − and positively amazed at that. Christopher Broon, native of Lucerne, characterizes touristic opportunities of his country and his native city for Ukrainian tourists in the same capacious way.

— Dear Mr. Christoph Broon, as the Defense Attaché of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, you have welcomed numerous guests from Switzerland during your work here. How well informed are citizens of Switzerland about Ukraine and how do they imagine our country? Are there any myths in this regard or maybe even apprehension to come here?

— In general, Swiss are not well informed about Ukraine. Most are aware that in winter 2005/06 and 2008/09 conveyance of gas through Ukraine was stopped that caused breakdown of energy supply in some European countries. Many people in Switzerland do not even realize that Ukraine is a sovereign state and does not belong to Russia. They do not know much about rich history and cultural heritage of Ukraine though. However, there is no fear, rather respect – because of a foreign language and Soviet past. Judging from experience with my friends, whom I always provide with informational material and interesting Internet links before their trips to Ukraine, I notice their great amazement by the cultural variety that Kiev offers, for example.

— What places in Kiev would you recommend that guests from your country and tourists from Western Europe should visit and see? What do you personally like in Ukrainian capital?

— I believe that a trip to an unknown city includes, as a rule, visiting and observing its main places of interest and getting acquainted with its history.   Kiev is not an exception. Besides, it has much to offer: historic monasteries, churches and city areas as well as numerous parks, markets and streets with shopping malls. Guests from Europe should be recommended programs in the field of dramatic art – opera, ballet and operetta, even if performances are conducted in Russian or Ukrainian. They keep improving and for now they are of very high quality.

Guests and tourists differ in their interests. Since many of my friends are interested in political and historic aspects, I recommend them profound acquaintance with history of Kiev and Ukraine of the times of Soviet power and the World War Two. That causes lively discussions. That is why along with various historic and culture monuments, we visit the Museum of the Great Patriotic War.

Having lived in the central part of Kiev for over half a year, I no longer look at the city through the eyes of a tourist. In summer Kiev amazes with its greenery, great parks and the wonderful Botanic Garden. I like boat trips along the Dnieper River and trips to Kiev outskirts. I can mention attractive and rich culinary assortment in various restaurants, bars and numerous taverns, where one can enjoy “live” jazz and rock music.

— Switzerland is one of the countries with the highest level of life. Do you think a Swiss citizen feels difference in level of life during his or her stay in Ukraine?

— When a tourist from Switzerland comes to Kiev, he expects to meet low standards of life here. But to his surprise, discovers much more “luxe”-cars here, than in Switzerland. He sees that the center of Kiev is a modern City with expensive fashionable stores, like on Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. Tourists, whose stay in Kiev is limited by 4 or 5 days, usually do not have an opportunity to see life of middle-class Ukrainians in dormitory areas of the city or rural population in villages. That is why they often return home with not quite objective impressions about real life of most Ukrainians.

— Have you seen some Ukrainian places of interest during your work in Kiev? If so, what are your impressions?

— Going on business and private trips, I had a chance to see other cities and regions along with Kiev, for example, Lvov, Odessa, Sevastopol, Crimea. Each city and region in Ukraine offers much interesting to those, who are oriented to learn more in the field of geography, culture and history. Those guests of Ukraine, whose interests are focused on cultural heritage, usually get enough information. However, touristic infrastructure does not meet the desirable standards for tourists and guests from Western Europe everywhere. 

— Do you think Kiev has a chance to become an important touristic centre along with many European megalopolises in the nearest future? What our attention should be focused on and what should be done, in your opinion, to approach this goal?

— Due to the forthcoming championship of Europe in football Kiev will get an additional touristic “impact”. This chance should definitely be used. It will be a unique opportunity to represent your city to European public from interesting and attractive for tourism sides. Kiev has substantial touristic potential. Of course, means should be invested into touristic infrastructure – for example, middle-class hotels, public transport and so on. Due attention should also be paid to such details as titles of street names in the center of the city, subway and public transport lines and stations in Latin letters. It would make it much easier for a European tourist to orientate in the city. It would also be desirable for personnel of shops and restaurants in the central part of the city to have better knowledge of foreign languages.

— You live in the city of Lucerne, which must be the most wonderful and favorite city for you. We would be glad to hear your impressions about local places of interest and peculiarities of your native city and about its touristic infrastructure, if possible.

— Lucerne is my native city and also one of the most important touristic centers of Switzerland, which is visited by over a million tourists every year. It has extremely favorable conditions for all-year-round tourism. It is a well preserved historic medieval city, situated on the bank of a big lake, facing the Alps. It has the necessary touristic infrastructure and big possibilities for interesting and instructive cultural program. I should mention the annual festival “Lucerne Festival”, which is one of the most important events of classic music in Western Europe.

We shouldn`t go further into details, since it will take too much time. I recommend those readers, who are interested, visit the Russian version of the web-site about tourism in Lucerne: luzern.com/ru/welcome.cfm.

— What places in Switzerland could you recommend to Ukrainian tourists in autumn-spring and winter period?

— The list, which I will name, is definitely not final. Along with Lucerne, such cities as Bern, Zurich and Geneva are very popular and widely visited by tourists throughout the year. They all offer rich cultural and touristic program. The Southern side of the Alps – Tessin, the Italian sector of Switzerland, is also an attractive place for all-year-round tourism due to its favorable Mediterranean climate and efficient touristic infrastructure. Ski resorts of Switzerland are especially popular during winter period. Along with the well-known centers like St. Moritz, Zermatt, Gstaad, Davos or Verbier, there are numerous places for family ski rest with very acceptable prices for services. For fans of rest in the mountains, walks or mountain bike trips I can recommend wonderful period – from June till the middle of October. Switzerland provides its guests with endless opportunities to spend their vacation in the Alps, intended for any budget.

— Dear Mr. Christoph Broon, let us thank you for our interesting and informative conversation. We wish you and your family health, wellbeing and all the best in the new 2011 year.

Media Center of “Prime Excursion Bureau”

December 2010.