Family Sunday

"Family Sundays" creates a welcoming space for families in northern Lausanne, offering activities and dinner-shows to encourage sharing, solidarity, and cultural diversity.

Families in northern Lausanne

Preparation and Sharing The “Family Sundays” project was born out of a desire to address the challenges of modern life, marked by often individualistic lifestyles and the pressures of work and family responsibilities. The goal is to create a space conducive to socializing, camaraderie, and inclusion, thereby enabling families living in northern Lausanne to reconnect, share, and experience enriching moments together. In particular, this project aims to rekindle fundamental values such as sharing, solidarity, and respect for cultural differences through fun, educational, and cultural activities, including dinner shows that highlight nutrition and the joy of community life. PROJECT GOALS Strengthening Family Bonds: One of the project’s main focuses is to provide families with a setting where they can forge stronger bonds. The goal is to create moments of closeness between parents and children, fostering interaction and cultivating the joy of being together through activities that resonate with them. Building Social Ties: By bringing together families from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, this project aims to foster the emergence of a true community. Interactions among families will become opportunities for learning and mutual discovery, celebrating diversity and promoting empathy. Culinary Education: Cooking will be at the heart of this project. Raising participants’ awareness of balanced nutrition, the flavors of local produce, and the importance of food’s origin is a major challenge for the future of our children and our society, while teaching them to cook healthy and delicious meals together. Promotion of Local Culture: By incorporating performances and dinner shows, the project aims to promote local culture. This includes artistic performances, dance shows, and plays that will invigorate neighborhood life while strengthening the cultural fabric. PROJECT STRUCTURE Frequency of events: “Family Sundays” will be held once a month, with each gathering promising to be a unique event—including a dinner and show each time—to provide a memorable experience for participants. Event Venues: Activities will primarily take place at the Maison de Quartier de la Pontaise, which is designed to meet the needs of families by providing safe and welcoming spaces. When the weather permits, family picnics in the park will also be offered, featuring outdoor performances. Participants: The initiative will be inclusive, encouraging the participation of all families living in northern Lausanne, regardless of their age or background. Special attention will be given to vulnerable families so that they, too, can benefit from these moments of togetherness. ACTIVITY DETAILS Meal Workshops: Seasonal Themes: Each session will feature a different theme, where families can prepare dishes using seasonal vegetables while learning about local cuisine and traditional recipes. Volunteer Groups: By bringing volunteers together to prepare meals, we will foster the passing down of local culinary traditions. Children can participate in these workshops, learning not only how to cook but also how to enjoy the pleasure of sharing a good meal. Community Dinners: Each family will also be invited to bring a traditional dish, creating a true blend of culinary and artistic expression. Performances and cultural activities: Storytelling and live performances: After the meal, a variety of performances—ranging from animated storytelling to concerts (in partnership with HEMU)—will spark children’s imaginations while bringing families together around stories and music. Fun workshops: Creative activities, such as painting or dance workshops, will allow children to express themselves and interact freely. Cultural exchanges: These Sundays will also be an opportunity to discover traditions from different cultures. Lively performances and moments of sharing will celebrate the diversity and richness of different cultural backgrounds. IMPLEMENTATION Organization: An organizing committee composed of parents, representatives from the “Bistrot Social Club” association, and program leaders from the Pontaise community center will ensure that the activities meet the participants’ needs. Funding: We will seek local partnerships and public grants to support the project. Communication: We will send out a notice to schools, early childhood centers, and sociocultural activity centers in Lausanne in order to reach as many families as possible.

Northern Lausanne (Pontaise, Vinet, Ancien Stand, Plaine du Loup)

ANNUAL PROGRAM Each month, a dinner, performances, and activities will be organized with and for children and parents. January: Dinner and Show “New Year in Music” Theme: Music Activities: Musical awareness workshop with Ms. Megumi TABUCHI. February: Dinner and Show “Carnival of Stories” Theme: Stories Activities: Storytelling performance with the “Compagnie des Contes Joyeux.” March: Dinner and Show “Moving to Music” Theme: Music Activities: Dance and movement workshop with Ms. Michèle PEDIMINA April: Dinner and Entertainment “Easter Bells” Theme: Easter Activities: Chocolate workshop and egg hunt May: Dinner and Show “Spring Festival” Theme: Spring Activity: Outdoor concert with musicians from HEMU June: Dinner and Entertainment: “Music Festival” Theme: Crafts Activities: Craft workshop: Making small percussion instruments. September: Dinner and Show: “Back-to-School: Breakdance Show and Introduction” Theme: Movement Activities: Breakdancing performances and introductory sessions for all ages with FLAVA SKOOL. October: Dinner and Entertainment Event “Halloween Madness” Theme: Halloween Activities: Costume Workshop: Creating Halloween costumes and makeup. November: Dinner and Show “Clowns and Magic” Theme: Magic Activities: Magic show: A magician for all ages. December: Dinner and Show “End-of-Year Party” Theme: Winter Celebrations Activities: Theater performance or Christmas carol concert. Each event can be complemented by family-friendly dining areas, with varied menus to please everyone, as well as relaxation areas to encourage interaction among families. Feedback will be collected at each event to improve future events.

2,997

La Pontaise Community Center