Soya the Cow, the mesmerizing alter ego of Swiss performance artist, musician, and activist Daniel Hellmann, is returning to San Francisco for an exciting series of events presented by the Goethe-Institut San Francisco and Swissnex in San Francisco, alongside the Consulate General of Switzerland.

Combining animal rights, climate activism, music, and queer feminism with a delightful touch of drag, Soya the Cow defies conventional boundaries. With a blend of seriousness and humor, Soya challenges the human-centric worldview by blurring the lines between male and female, human and cow. Prepare to be immersed in Soya's captivating bovine universe through emotional songs and surprising storytelling that question our perception of ourselves as the center of the universe.

Along with other European representations, the Consulate General of Switzerland will be joining the San Francisco Pride Parade to walk down Market Street in celebration of and in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as to promote diversity, inclusivity, and acceptance accross cultures and borders.

This year, Switzerland is adding an extra touch of flair to the European delegation by bringing Soya the Cow to march alongside our European representatives.

To join our representation in the Pride Parade, please click here.

Beale Street Plaza, Loading Group Q, San Francisco

Swissnex in San Francisco and the San Francisco Chapter of Food Hack are hosting a discussion among change-makers in the food system to talk about what has worked and what is still left to do.

They will be joined by the vegan drag-cow Soya the Cow, performed by Swiss artist Daniel Hellmann. The discussion will explore different forms of activism and their experience — Soya is using drag to draw attention to animal rights and the virtue of vegan diets, while entrepreneurs are using business to change consumer options.

Swissnex in San Francisco, Switzerland at Pier 17

The Embarcadero, San Francisco

The final event in this series is the Goethe-Institut's Art Walk Try Walking in My Hooves, where Soya the Cow will take the audience on a thought-provoking journey through the city. The focus of Soya's walk will deliberately be shifted to non-human bodies, such as dogs walking their friends, pigeons turning monuments into their domain, and the bodies of animals carried through the streets as food or clothing.

With the aid of playfulness and music, Soya invites a change in perspective, challenging our visual habits and self-image. The aim is to foster a new understanding and connection between humans and other animals, based on our shared animality.

657 Howard Street, San Francisco

The Swiss movie GLOW, directed by Gabriel Baur, is coming to California, with showings in Santa Monica from June 15 to June 22 and in San Francisco on June 25.

The Opening Night will take place at Laemmle's Royal, who's The Saal screening room displays a classic arthouse style that can accomodate many guests.

This captivating film about the extraordinary life of Irene Staub, a.k.a. Lady Shiva, one of Switzerland's greatest divas, takes us back to Zurich's vibrant years between 1968 and the late 1980s, exploring Irene's journey from streetwalking to becoming a prominent figure in the art scene. The film portrays Irene's thriving career as a successful model, muse, and performer, and follows her journey as she navigates between the pressures of success, a yearning for freedom, and self-destructive tendencies.

The film's use of archival footage and prominent interviews allows GLOW to delve into a time of boundless possibilities and ignite a sense of longing. With prominent contemporaries providing insights and perspectives, this film paints a vivid portrait of an extraordinary individual and the remarkable time in which she thrived.

Laemmle's Royal, The Saal/Screening Room 1

11523 Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica

Laemmle Monica Film Center

1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica

The Roxie Theater

3117 16th Street, San Francisco

The Swiss film Out of Uganda (2023) will be showcased as part of the highly anticipated Frameline Film Festival. Directed by Rolanda Colla and Josef Burri, this timely and thought-provoking documentary takes us on the powerful journey of four Ugandan refugees, who are applying for asylum in Switzerland due to the strict Ugandan law that outlaws homosexuality. Going beyond cable-news sensationalism, this documentary sheds light on the challenges faced by Uganda's LGBTQ+ community while also highlighting the extraordinary activism and resilience of those fighting for justice and acceptance.

Through its gentle yet devastating approach, this film demands our attention, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of queer experiences and the struggle for equality.

Castro Theatre

429 Castro Street, San Francisco

Locarno in Los Angeles collaborates with Swiss Film & Talks and makes a special stop in San Francisco to screen the Swiss thriller De noche los gatos son pardos (2022) by Valentin Merz. The film, which won the Locarno Film Festival's Cinegrell First Look Award, will be shown at the Roxie Theater with free admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

The film portrays a haunting tale that blurs the line between reality and fiction as it follows the story of a film crew that suddenly loses its director, played by Merz himself, while filming an erotic movie in France. Channeling the film noir style, this movie captivates its audience with hypnotic, and sometimes psychedlic, plot twists.

Following the movie's screening, the Swiss Consulate will conduct an interview and Q&A with Jordan Cronk, the Founder of Acropolis Cinema and Co-director of Locarno in Los Angeles.

The Roxie Theater

3117 16th Street, San Francisco

June 20 & 28

The Consulate General of Switzerland is collaborating with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), along with Swissnex in San Francisco, to host two 60-minute fireside chats surrounding the topic of digital technology's impact on civilians in zones of armed conflicts.These events build on the Digital Dilemmas installation at Pier 17, which allows for people to immerse themselves in the complex technology choices that people living in armed conflict situations must face.

During these events, the discussion will be centered on how digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and social media, offer both unprecedented opportunities and risks for people affected by armed conflicts.

What are the real-life impacts of technologies in armed conflict? How can technologies work better for people living in armed conflicts? How can we embrace the prism of people living in conflicts to think about ethics, responsibility, and the impact of technologies? Several experts will lead the conversation on how we can begin to answer these questions together.

To register for our first event, please click here.

The Embarcadero, San Francisco

The Public Transportation Delegation Visit to Switzerland, organized by the Consulate General of Switzerland and Presence Switzerland, successfully took place at the beginning of the month. This study trip brought together U.S. transportation experts and leaders to exchange knowledge with Swiss transportation agencies about seamlessly integrated public transit systems. 

This insightful trip fostered valuable exchanges of best practices and knowledge-sharing. One remarkable fact that was higlighted is that the Swiss technical timetable is planned down to the seconds, showcasing the meticulous Swiss approach to efficiency and punctuality.

Another notable achievement in Switzerland's transportation system is that all Swiss railways were fully electrified as early as 1965. This forward-thinking approach to sustainability and innovation has set a strong foundation for the country's reliable and environmentally friendly public transportation network. 

The delegation visit has not only deepened the collaboration and partnership between U.S. transportation leaders and their Swiss counterparts but has also laid the groundwork for future collaborations in the fields of sustainability, innovation, and economy.

We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making this trip a resounding success. We will continue to build upon these valuable connections and insights, working towards helping to create even more reliable and forward-looking public transportation projects that benefit communities on both sides of the Atlantic.