SBS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are now open!

The Swiss Benevolent Society of Philadelphia supports deserving students pursuing education beyond the high school level through its Scholarship Fund. Financial assistance is provided in the form of merit-based scholarships, administered in partnership with the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York.

The SBS of Philadelphia proudly contributes to the Merit Scholarship Program and takes an active role in reviewing applications and selecting award recipients.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026.

For eligibility details and application materials |
https://www.sbsphiladelphia.org/apply-for-aid/#scholarships

YOU ARE INVITED!
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Carl Lutz & Diplomatic Rescue During the Holocaust.

Date & Time: Monday, March 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM.
Location: Quakers Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch Street, Philadelphia.

The Mid-Atlantic–Eurasia Business Council warmly invites you to join a special commemoration honoring the extraordinary courage and humanitarian legacy of Carl Lutz, a Swiss diplomat whose actions saved over 60,000 lives during the Holocaust—one of history’s largest civilian rescue efforts.

This event also marks the presentation of the exhibition Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats at the historic Quakers Arch Street Meeting House.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

- Keynote speakers

• Ágnes Hirschi, Honorary President of the Carl Lutz Society and stepdaughter of Carl Lutz.

• Consul General Ambassador of Switzerland Niculin Jäger of the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York.

• Eric Saul, Founder & Executive Director, Visas for Life and the Institute for the Study of Rescue and Altruism in the Holocaust (ISRAH).

- Presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal honoring the “Forgotten Heroes”.

- Discussion on the documentaryDangerous Diplomacy.

- And more presentations with esteemed guests.

To Learn More About The Event:‍ ‍CLICK HERE

To Register To The Event: CLICK HERE

YOU ARE INVITED!
CONCERT | Nik Bärtsch's Ronin

Date: Wednesday, March 25 | 7:30 –11:30 PM
Location: 118 North Wayne, 118 N Wayne Ave, Wayne, PA

Click here tickets

Nik Bärtsch is a Swiss pianist, composer, and bandleader. Since founding the zen-funk quartet RONIN in 2001, he has developed his distinctive Ritual Groove Music alongside Kaspar Rast (drums), Jeremias Keller (bass), and Sha (reeds).

Rooted in minimalism and precision, Ronin’s music creates maximum impact from minimal means—blending funk, new classical music, and elements of Japanese ritual sound into a singular, unmistakable style. Built from a few repeating motifs, their compositions evolve through subtle shifts, layering, and deep rhythmic focus, forming a cohesive musical system where sound, structure, and performance move as one.

Nik Bärtsch: piano
Sha: alto sax & bass clarinet
Kaspar Rast: drums
Jeremias Keller: bass

For further information: https://www.nikbaertsch.com/ronin

Image: Nik Bärtsch's Ronin/118N Wayne.

SWISS DIRECT INVESTMENT - Building Bridges Between Pennsylvania and Switzerland.

In today’s interconnected world, international collaboration drives growth and innovation. More and more Swiss companies are choosing Pennsylvania as the home for their U.S. operations, strengthening ties, creating jobs, and fueling economic success on both sides of the Atlantic.

Switzerland ranks 7th for the total number of firms and 7th for the total number of jobs created in Pennsylvania.

Discover the fact sheets highlighting Swiss businesses thriving in Pennsylvania.

The data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development | Business PA, 2025.

YOU’RE INVITED!

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF SWISS DIPLOMAT CARL LUTZ | EXHIBITION: Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats.

Dates: December 17, 2025 – April 5, 2026
Location: Quakers Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Opening Event: December 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Visas for Life: The Righteous and Honorable Diplomats will spotlight diplomats from around the world, including Swiss diplomats whose courageous actions saved thousands of lives during the Holocaust.

Hosted by the Mid-Atlantic – Eurasia Business Council, this exhibition pays special tribute to Carl Lutz, the remarkable Swiss diplomat whose humanitarian leadership enabled the largest civilian rescue of Jews during the Holocaust.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Lutz’s arrival in Hungary, where, as Vice-Consul of the Swiss Embassy in Budapest, he helped save more than 60,000 lives. The commemoration is especially meaningful in Philadelphia, the city where Lutz served as Chancellor at the Swiss Consulate from 1926 to 1934.

More information: https://ma-rbc.org

YOU ARE INVITED!

The WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA presents: DIPLOCHAT SWITZERLAND.

Join the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia for an engaging conversation with H.E. Niculin Jäger, Consul General, Ambassador of Switzerland in New York to explore U.S.–Switzerland relations.

Switzerland ranks #1 as the top foreign R&D investor in the U.S. and sixth overall in total investments. Many Swiss companies, like Chubb, Barry Callebaut, and Genentech have a strong presence in the Philadelphia region.

DATE & TIME 

Wednesday, November 12, 2025
5:30 PM | Registration Opens
6:00 PM | Program Begins
7:15 PM | Program Ends
Light refreshments will be provided.

LOCATION 

World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
1617 JFK Blvd, Suite 1660
Philadelphia, PA 19103

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
This event offers a unique opportunity to explore the U.S.–Switzerland relationship and is perfect for future policymakers, trade professionals, and anyone interested in global affairs.

 For further information and to register: CLICK HERE

BURCKHARDT COMPRESSION EXPANDS NORTH AMERICAN SERVICE NETWORK WITH PENNSYLVANIA FACILITY.

Burckhardt Compression, a leading Swiss provider of reciprocating compressor systems and services, has opened a new service center in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, strengthening support for customers across the downstream, midstream, and industrial gas sectors.

Just an hour from Philadelphia, the 11,000 sq. ft. facility is fully equipped for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of reciprocating compressors of all types and brands. From valve refurbishments to full overhauls, the expert team provides shop and field services, installation, commissioning, and digital solutions, all built on Burckhardt Compression’s principles of safety, sustainability, and engineering excellence.

This new facility strengthens Burckhardt Compression’s North American footprint, creating a robust service network that combines local responsiveness with global expertise.

For more information, visit Burckhardt Compression.

📷 Image credit: Burckhardt Compression.

SITE VISIT, PANEL & RECEPTION: Swiss Clean Energy & Infrastructure Innovation in PA

The Mayor of Phoenixville, together with the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York and the Consulate of Switzerland in Philadelphia, invite you to an exclusive panel discussion on October 2, 2025 at 4 PM at the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA (227 Bridge Street). 

Attend this inspiring showcase of Swiss innovation in sustainable energy, featuring the groundbreaking Phoenixville New Energy Optimization (PXVNEO) project - America's first municipally-owned hydrothermal carbonization facility that transforms waste into renewable energy. 

DATE: 

Thursday, October 2, 2025

SITE VISIT:
17 2nd Avenue, Phoenixville, PA
3:00 – 4:00 PM

PANEL DISCUSSION & RECEPTION:
Colonial Theater, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA
4:00 – 6:00 PM

PANEL:

- Dr. Ross Lee, Professor of Practice, Villanova University.

- Andreas Mehli, Founder and CEO, GRegio Energie AG.

- Dan Spracklin, Founder and CEO, SoMax.

- Peter Urscheler, Mayor, Borough of Phoenixville.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE:

- 3:00 - 4:00 PM | Exclusive tours of the PXVNEO wastewater treatment facility showcasing Swiss technology in action (30-minute guided sessions at 17 2nd Avenue).

- 4:00 -5:00 PM | Panel discussion on Swiss-American collaboration in clean energy innovation with introduction by the Consul General, Ambassador Niculin Jäger.

- 5:00 - 6:00 PM | Networking reception with refreshments.

This unique event highlights how Swiss precision engineering is helping transform Phoenixville into a clean energy leader, creating a model for sustainable municipal energy independence across America.

RSVP required by September 25th to: Christine Schilliger at christine.schilliger@eda.admin.ch

Please indicate whether you'll attend the facility tour, panel discussion, or both.

To learn more about the Phoenixville New Energy Optimization click here | https://pxvneo.com/

TASTING WORKSHOP: Le Goût de la Suisse

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The Swiss Week of Taste 2025 will take place from September 18 to 28, celebrating Swiss cuisine and culinary traditions while fostering connections within the Swiss food community.

The Alliance Française de Philadelphie invite you for a gastronomic discovery and tasting of four Swiss local products.

Join the Taste of Switzerland with Christine Pfister, Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Philadelphia.

DATE | Friday, September 26, 2025 at 6 PM - 8 PM


LOCATION | Alliance Française, 1420 Walnut St, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA


Find out where in Switzerland these products come from, learn some vocabulary about the five senses, and share a moment of conviviality.

The event will be held in three parts:

• A short introduction by the Honorary Consul of Switzerland in Philadelphia, Christine Pfister.

• A tasting workshop featuring four local Swiss products (wine, cheese, cured meats, and chocolate) explored through four of the five senses: sight, smell, touch, and taste.

• A social gathering with Swiss food and wine, where you can practice your French with members of Philadelphia’s francophone community.

This workshop is organized by Élodie Malhomme de la Roche, Cultural Coordinator at the Alliance Française de Philadelphie, together with Sophie D. Schaller Wright and Quentin Massard, all instructors at AF Philadelphia.

🎟️  For tickets and more information, visit: LINK

Images of the event at the Alliance Française de Philadelphie.

CALDER GARDENS TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

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Calder Gardens presents a continuously unfolding installation of masterworks by Alexander Calder, offering visitors a distinctive experience across its indoor galleries and ever-changing gardens.

Building on the legacy of Calder, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a native Philadelphian, the space reflects his passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, cross-media experimentation, and real-time artistic experience. Calder Gardens is envisioned as a place for art, culture, environmental awareness, and wellness.

Designed by the renowned Swiss architecture studio Herzog & de Meuron from Basel, Calder Gardens integrates architecture, landscape, and art. Herzog & de Meuron has created a 17,695-square-foot (1,643-square-meter), two-story structure, much of which is located underground, harmoniously connecting the interior galleries with the surrounding gardens. 

For further information about Herzog & de Meuron, Click Here. 

📍 Calder Gardens

2100 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA

🎟️  Calder Gardens | For tickets and more information, visit: LINK

The New Helvetic Society will gather to enjoy the National Day festivities that include delicious food such as Fleischkäse and ham, accompanied by member-sponsored side dishes and desserts today. An accordionist will perform traditional and familiar tunes. The celebration will also feature a children’s lantern parade and the lighting of the bonfire.

For more information | Click Here

Eurovision Watch Party + Europop-Inspired Dance Party

Did you watch last year’s Eurovision? Swiss artist Nemo won with “The Code”, an unforgettable moment! As tradition goes, the winning country hosts the next contest, so the 69th Eurovision Song Contest is heading to Basel, Switzerland’s cultural capital, known for its world-class museums and art collections.

Join the Consulate of Switzerland in Philadelphia for a Eurovision Watch Party at the German Society of Pennsylvania!

DATE: Saturday, May 17, 2025
LOCATION: German Society of Pennsylvania, 611 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia
WATCH PARTY: Doors open at 2:30 PM | Show starts at 3 PM
DANCE PARTY: 7 PM – 12 AM

Watch the live Eurovision broadcast and cheer on performers from across Europe! After the show, head to the Ratskeller for a high-energy Europop dance party with DJ Ricky Paul.

Tickets: $20 (includes food and one drink ticket)
To purchase tickets: Link

Presented in partnership with the German Society of Pennsylvania, the Consulate of Switzerland in Philadelphia, and the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia.

WorldUpstart U.S. Market Gateway Accelerator Companies | Swiss Company: MEDICAL TEMPLATES AG

Monday, May 5, 2025 | Philadelphia

WorldUpstart proudly announces the launch of its Spring 2025 U.S. Market Gateway Accelerator, featuring a dynamic cohort of 10 Life Sciences and MedTech innovators from around the globe. This year's participants hail from Canada, France, India, Israel, Italy, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, each preparing to enter and expand within the U.S. market.

Through WorldUpstart's intensive accelerator program, these companies will receive valuable insights, expert mentorship, and access to strategic networks—equipping them with the tools and support necessary for successful market entry.

Selected Swiss Company | MEDICAL TEMPLATES AG

Founded in 2015 in Switzerland, MEDICAL TEMPLATES AG is on a mission to revolutionize image-guided interventions using thin instruments. Their goal is to make these procedures safer for patients, easier for radiologists, and more cost-effective for healthcare systems.

For more details, please visit: WorldUpstart and Medical Templates AG

About WorldUpstart

WorldUpstart helps international Life Sciences, MedTech, and Digital Health companies enter the U.S. market. Its Gateway Accelerator connects startups with expert guidance, strategic partners, and investors. In three years, the program has supported 65 companies from 18 countries, 27 now operate in the U.S., and eight have earned FDA approval.