Why I Said Yes to Andermatt

To be honest, I am not a regular participant at markets or festivals. Perhaps that is exactly why I accepted with enthusiasm. I liked the idea of stepping, even for just one day, into a place where people do not meet through screens, but look each other in the eye, pause, chat, and share something genuine.

I find it wonderful that Andermatt continues to create opportunities that celebrate the region, local producers, craftsmanship, and the people who dedicate their time and passion to what they do. In a world that moves faster and faster, events like these remind us how valuable human connections, relationships, and a sense of community truly are.

Perhaps there is another reason why the idea of participating in an event like the Wine & Cheese Festival appeals to me.

There is something fascinating about wine and cheese: they cannot be rushed. They require time, care, experience, and sometimes even a few unexpected turns that contribute to making them unique. No aging process can be accelerated without losing something of its quality.

In many ways, this is what I observe in the people and the hands I encounter through my work.

When I look at a hand, I do not see only the present moment. I see a journey. The experiences lived, the choices made, the challenges faced, the moments of growth, and even the difficulties have all contributed to shaping the person standing before me today.

Perhaps that is the beauty of it: discovering that, like a fine wine or a well-aged cheese, we too become richer, deeper, and more interesting through our journey.

For this reason, I will participate with curiosity and gratitude, without any particular expectations. I am not counting how many people will stop by my table, nor do I have goals to achieve. I simply like the idea of being there.

Perhaps I will meet someone I already know. Perhaps someone I would never have expected to meet. Perhaps an interesting conversation will emerge over a glass of wine or a piece of local cheese.

In the end, I believe it is precisely these unexpected encounters that give value to days like this.

For this reason, I would like to thank Andermatt and the organizers of the Wine & Cheese Festival, especially Mari Russi and Marco Vella, for this opportunity. The most memorable events are not the ones we remember for what we bought or sold, but for the people we met along the way.