lounging around

In the bar/lounge area of the ticketing & information center of the Zurich Film Festival. It's a cool temporary setup overlooking the river.

zurich film festival

The third (yes, it's a fairly new event) annual Zurich Film Festival, which runs until October 7th, kicked off last night and will be showing over 50 feature films, documentaries, short, and animated films. It's a great opportunity to catch a number of independent and foreign films that might not make it to the regular theatres. Films will be competing in three categories: "Debut Feature" "New Fiction Feature" and "Documentary Feature." There is also a series showcasing new Russian cinema, as well as a film series tribute to Director Oliver Stone, who will be making a special appearance to collect an award in his honor. Pictured here is the Festival's info. & ticket center, which was set up on the Limmatquai, next to the Rathaus bridge.

cooking with fire

One of the many food stands at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel.

playing with fire

Street performer at the Zürcher Theater Spektakel, which runs until this Sunday.

la locura

There was definitely no shortage of events, street parties, neighborhood festivals, and outdoor concerts in town this past weekend: Dörflifäscht in the Old Town, Röntgenplatz Fest in Kreis 5, Limmatschwimmen, Zürcher Theater Spektakel, and not to mention the wonderful last blast of summer weather we just had this weekend (after weeks of rain). This partly explains my lackadaisical posting recently--I've been so busy outside enjoying the city and the weather, that I've hardly been home long enough to download, sort and post pictures. (yeah, I cheated a bit and backposted a few). Pictured here is a Swiss band called "Fiji" performing at La Locura festival by the lake in Wollishofen-- an alternative arts event that ran parallel to the larger scale Theater Spektakel, featuring theatre and dance performances, street performers, art activities for kids, outdoor concerts, DJs, food stalls and vendors.

limmatschwimmen

Saturday I participated in what is supposed to be an annual swim down the Limmat River. The event was cancelled the last two years due to cold water temperatures, rain, and rough currents. This year we finally lucked out with the weather and we had beautiful 26C degree temparatures and plenty of sunshine. However, the usual 2km route was cut short because of some construction further downstream, and this year the swim started at the Frauenbadi, down 1,330 m, under 6 bridges, past the Hauptbahnhof (Zürich's main train station) and ending at the Landesmuseum (usually it goes to the Oberer Letten, further down). Most people don't actually swim, an instead hold on to a floatation device provided by the event organizers, and simply let the current carry them down. Some people, like the guys above, bring their own dinghies. It's really fun and relaxing to float, swim, and play around in parts of the river that are usually closed to swimmers. However, after about 25 minutes in chilly 22C water, people start to get cold. So at the end, participants are treated to some hot tea, bratwurst and Rivella (Swiss soft drink).