This Expo year, we're celebrating Swiss National Day twice! While Switzerland officially marks its national holiday on August 1st, at the Expo, we’re bringing the festivities forward to April 22nd with a one-of-a-kind artistic performance in collaboration with HEAD – Geneva. For this very special day, the Swiss Pavilion will present “My Name is Heidi”, an immersive performance that combines design with cinema. Based on an innovative approach, the work gives a contemporary twist to the traditional figure of Heidi – a timeless symbol of Swiss culture.
A tribute to swiss tradition, design and storytelling
My Name is Heidi reveals the wealth of Swiss know-how by combining design, cinema and artistic creation. This performance pays homage to the subtle balance between tradition and innovation, the cultural pillars of Switzerland’s international cultural influence.
Event overview
Date and Time: 22nd of April
11-12am: Official Ceremony
2-3pm: Second Performance
3-4pm: Third Performance
Venue: EXPO National Day Hall / EXPO ナショナルデーホール
Adress : EXPOホール「シャインハット」, Japan, 〒554-0044 Osaka, Konohana Ward, Yumeshimanaka, 1 Chome
Organizer: Swiss Pavilion, Presence Switzerland, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
In Collaboration with: HEAD – Geneva
Tickets: To access the National Day Hall and assist to the performance, you need to have an expo ticket valid on the 22nd of April. No registration or additional ticket is necessary.
For the morning ceremony, 350 seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For the afternoon performances, 500 seats will be available on the same basis.
A performance that fits in with the themes of the Swiss pavilion
My name is Heidi fits in with the three main themes of the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2025: Augmented Human, Life, Planet. Thanks to its contemporary approach, the work questions the relationship between humans, their environment, and the changes that affect them both. It addresses universal issues such as the evolution of identity, generational legacy, and the fragile balance between nature and modernity.
By combining tradition with innovation, My name is Heidi reflects the fundamental values of the Swiss Pavilion and offers an immersive artistic experience that will inspire reflection and action for the future.
Transversality and creativity
My Name is Heidi brings together the Fashion, Jewellery and Accessory and Cinema departments of HEAD - Genève, illustrating a collaborative, transdisciplinary approach.
+ The Fashion Design department addresses the relationship between clothing and identity, with designs specifically made for the performance. The creations showcase the students’ innovative know-how, combining technique with contemporary textiles and aesthetic ideas.
+The Jewellery and Accessory Design department enhances the visual narrative by developing pieces that fit in with the costumes. These elements underline the importance of jewellery and accessories in expressing identity and reinforce the symbolic dimension of the performance.
+ The Cinema department adds an immersive dimension by integrating projections and set designs. The visual continuity of the students’ work reinforces the narrative, immersing the audience in a captivating cinematographic universe.