Australian singer Nick Cave interacts with the audience at this year's Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
This year’s Montreux Jazz festival was a big success, says festival director Mathieu Jaton, as the two-week event draws to an end.
“The weather was wonderful, and the House of Jazz – the novelty of 2018 – was a success, with some memorable concerts,” he said in an interview on Friday with the Swiss news agency.
Among the outstanding performances, he cited especially Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, saying that concert on Thursday was among his “Montreux top 10”.
The number of visitors to this 52nd edition was 240,000, up on last year but less than the 250,000 that came in 2016. Jaton says the World Cup football clearly had an effect. “On match nights, Montreux was quiet,” he remarked.
In a highly competitive festivals sector, Montreux Jazz will have to continue developing its values of creativity, musical freedom and consistent programming," Jaton told the news agency. He says a new generation of artists is coming up and that “we need to create new legends” as the big names of the past disappear.
The 2019 edition will take place from June 28 to July 13, with two concerts scheduled notably by Elton John.
A good year for Montreux Jazz, says director Jul 13, 2018 - 17:28 This year’s Montreux Jazz festival was a big success, says festival director Mathieu Jaton, as the two-week event draws to an end. “The weather was wonderful, and the House of Jazz – the novelty of 2018 – was a success, with some memorable concerts,” he said in an interview on Friday with the Swiss news agency. Among the outstanding performances, he cited especially Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, saying that concert on Thursday was among his “Montreux top 10”. The number of visitors to this 52nd edition was 240,000, up on last year but less than the 250,000 that came in 2016. Jaton says the World Cup football clearly had an effect. “On match nights, Montreux was quiet,” he remarked. In a highly competitive festivals sector, Montreux Jazz will have to continue developing its values of creativity, musical freedom and consistent programming," Jaton told the news agency. He says a new generation of artists is coming up and that “we need to create new legends” as the big names of the past disappear. The 2019 edition will take place from June 28 to July 13, with two concerts scheduled notably by Elton John.
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Premiums for health insurance are to soar by an average of 5.5 per cent next year - the biggest increase in three years. The rise is likely to fuel pressures to reduce healthcare costs.
The increase in health premiums was approved by the interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, on Friday. The health insurance companies had wanted a bigger rise, but Dreifuss refused to push up premiums by more than 5.5 per cent.
The announcement prompted mixed reactions - ranging from sharp criticism, to renewed calls to cut either medical services, prices of medicines or hospital subsidies.
Consumer protection groups urged health policy holders to take a more active role and choose cheaper insurance companies.
Dreifuss said she regretted having to announce another increase, saying she was aware they would strain the budgets of low income families.
She said she was in favour of reducing medical services - which could include offering unbranded medicines. But the minister rejected a proposal to limit insurance to cover hospital stays only.
Next month, voters will decide on a proposal to limit mandatory insurance coverage to hospital stays only in order to lower premiums.
Under Switzerland's federalist health system, residents of rural areas are likely to be hit hardest, with their premiums increasing by as much as 10 per cent. Urban dwellers will also have bigger insurance bills but the rise will be less steep.
The government has been considering measures to bring down spiralling health costs. Proposals on the table include limiting licences and standardised fees for doctors, or spending cuts and restrictions on health services.
Switzerland's healthcare system is known for its high standards, but is also one of the most expensive in the world. Last year, the country spent nearly SFr40 billion ($23.5 billion) on healthcare.
Health premiums to rise by more than five per cent Oct 6, 2000 - 19:35 Premiums for health insurance are to soar by an average of 5.5 per cent next year - the biggest increase in three years. The rise is likely to fuel pressures to reduce healthcare costs. The increase in health premiums was approved by the interior minister, Ruth Dreifuss, on Friday. The health insurance companies had wanted a bigger rise, but Dreifuss refused to push up premiums by more than 5.5 per cent. The announcement prompted mixed reactions - ranging from sharp criticism, to renewed calls to cut either medical services, prices of medicines or hospital subsidies. Consumer protection groups urged health policy holders to take a more active role and choose cheaper insurance companies. Dreifuss said she regretted having to announce another increase, saying she was aware they would strain the budgets of low income families. She said she was in favour of reducing medical services - which could include offering unbranded medicines. But the minister rejected a proposal to limit insurance to cover hospital stays only. Next month, voters will decide on a proposal to limit mandatory insurance coverage to hospital stays only in order to lower premiums. Under Switzerland's federalist health system, residents of rural areas are likely to be hit hardest, with their premiums increasing by as much as 10 per cent. Urban dwellers will also have bigger insurance bills but the rise will be less steep. The government has been considering measures to bring down spiralling health costs. Proposals on the table include limiting licences and standardised fees for doctors, or spending cuts and restrictions on health services. Switzerland's healthcare system is known for its high standards, but is also one of the most expensive in the world. Last year, the country spent nearly SFr40 billion ($23.5 billion) on healthcare. swissinfo with agencies