And then came the finale! Around 200 members and guests from 11 countries gathered on the final evening for the Gala Dinner at the SAL in Schaan. The theme of “Varietät und Varieté” [Ed: Variety and a Variety Show] on reflection could easily have been the motto for the entire weekend! Princely enjoyment was evident.

History, wine, friendship and Chaîne tradition came together in a setting made for the occasion with views across the surrounding landscape from within the historic castle walls.

When “Varietät” became “Varieté”
The variety began in the kitchen. where four chefs - Reto Jenal, Stephan Forsil, Sandro Meier and Christian Zickler - each normally representing his own establishment and culinary signature had accepted an unusual challenge: to join forces for one evening.

Four individual chefs became one kitchen brigade. They combined their different strengths to create a festive menu for an international audience.

More than a culinary achievement the collaboration of the four chefs reflected something fundamental to the spirit of the Chaîne. Individual excellence matters, as do collegiality, trust and the willingness to create something exceptional together.

Then Varietät truly became Varieté.

Singer Miriam Lümbacher, accompanied by pianist Pirmin, created those rare musical moments when conversation ceased and an entire room simply listened.

Then came the unexpected.

The appearance of Naked Lunch [Ed. a comedic street theatre and cabaret show created by performing artists Kevin Brooking and Colm O'Grady] was something of an experiment. Different! Surprising! Certainly not what everyone might have expected at a traditional Chaîne Gala Dinner.

Would the audience enjoy it?

The answer was unmistakable.

The performance delighted the guests and became one of the most talked-about surprises of the entire weekend. Even afterwards, enquiries about the artists and possible future performances within the international Chaîne community continued to arrive.

Moments that involve a little courage are precisely those that remain longest in the memory.

Finally, the White Fly Band ensured that dinner gradually turned into celebration. Celebration into dancing. Coffee cocktails and Liechtenstein spirits added their own local accents as a room full of international guests simply enjoyed being together.

When the music stops what remains? The true success of a Grand Chapitre cannot be measured only in menus, wines, ceremonies or performances. Often, what remains are the moments in between.

A conversation with someone one had never met before. A reunion with friends from another country. Laughter around a table. An unexpected encounter. A shared glass of wine. Simply the feeling that, for three days, people from different countries had become one community.

Behind all these moments stood many people: chefs and service teams, hosts and guides, musicians and performers, helpers, partners and sponsors. Some were highly visible; many worked quietly behind the scenes. Together they made it possible for a small Bailliage in a small country welcome the international Chaîne family.

Liechtenstein may measure only a few kilometres from one end to the other. During these three days distance seemed a rather poor measure of how much there was to discover.

Around 200 members and guests from 11 countries arrived with different languages, traditions and stories. They explored Liechtenstein. Sat at the same tables. Raised their glasses together. Created memories that needed very little translation.

When the final music faded at the SAL, the promise made at the beginning of the Grand Chapitre had been fulfilled.

Liechtenstein had been experienced. It had certainly been enjoyed in princely style.

Most importantly, old friendships had been renewed, new ones had begun, and three wonderful days of shared experiences had created memories that travelled home in 11 different directions.

Strit Doris Jäggi-Lind
Bailli Délégué