New Years celebration in KKL, Lucerne
Of course, we were late. 'Why can't we arrive on time for a concert?' I wondered as my husband and I slogged our way through heavy traffic. The streets in Lucerne were full of cars; it seemed like everybody wanted to go to the KKL to attend the sparkling Sylvester concert. We were only seven minutes late, but the concert hall doors were already closed. We put our coats in the wardrobe and waited a few minutes until they let us in with others. The stage was very simple; the organist, Cameron Cameron, sat with his back to us, and the members of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra stood in a semicircle in front of him.
We enjoyed a musical fireworks display by Händel, Bach, Couperin, and Vivaldi for one and a half hours.
After the concert, we headed to the rooftop terrace. Believe it or not, I had never been on the rooftop of the KKL until now. Sure, I had attended another concert here, dined at the restaurant and visited the café in the building, but I had never ventured onto the roof. The KKL building was designed by the famous architect Jean Novel. The wide, shining roof is a real attraction on the Lucerne lakeside. The oversized flat roof reflects the surrounding landscape, the blue sky, and the towering mountains in the daylight.
What a Night!
This evening, the city was quite calm. Rain was pouring from the dark sky, and festive lights were lit around the bridges and houses.
No Reservations
As night descended upon the city, a sense of tranquillity enveloped the streets, illuminated by the soft glow of festive lights adorning bridges and buildings. Our quest for a cosy dining spot led us on a meandering journey along the riverside, where the absence of reservations posed a challenge. However, serendipity smiled upon us as we stumbled upon a terrace with available tables, where we indulged in warm food, cold drinks, and the company of one another.
Happy New Year!
They say, 'Everything is fine if the end is fine,' and so it is. We went home; the seat heating warmed our legs, and we arrived on time. Alma, our lovely Weimaraner, was already waiting for us. The fireworks started getting louder, and she was scared. We made a space for her between us in bed and slept through the New Year's Eve festivities.
In retrospect, it wasn't just another night—a memorable journey of music, rooftop views, and unexpected discoveries, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Cheers to a Happy New Year!