Francine Jordi: These are your Swiss Christmas traditions

Francine Jordi (47) released her Christmas album “A Piece of Christmas” this year, and she is celebrating the Advent season on television with, among other things, an appearance on the show “Magic Christmas in the Land of the ‘Silent Night'” (ORF 2 on December 14th, MDR on December 20th and SWR and BR on December 22nd, both at 8:15 p.m.).

In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the Swiss singer explains why “A Piece of Christmas” is her last album, how Christmas is celebrated in her home country and what she appreciates about Christmas TV shows. She also reveals whether she would host a New Year’s Eve show again and what she wishes for her successor Florian Silbereisen (43).

Francine Jordi: Yes, I am a total Christmas junkie. I like that people become calmer, meet each other more consciously again, give each other time and attention, visit each other, drink mulled wine together… and candlelight.

Jordi: Like every year, I celebrate Christmas with my whole family – with my parents, my sisters and their family. This is our tradition.

Jordi: Not a single one yet! I really like giving gifts. It gives me great joy when I can give someone something that makes them happy.

Jordi: Basically everything is tradition for us. The rolled ham with potato salad to eat, lighting candles for our deceased ancestors in the cemetery, singing together and drinking mulled wine. Before giving the presents, my mother reads a story in dialect and then of course there are the presents. I think traditions are very important because they give you a bit of security.

Jordi: They are all Christmas songs that touch me very much or topics that concern me personally. Like the song “This Little Bit of Christmas,” for example. I ask myself why we can’t live this awareness of meeting each other more openly, of having time for each other, all year round. As if at the push of a button, we’ll turn it off on December 26th and everyone will go their own way again. Or with “Miracle”: Each of us experiences dark times in our lives and needs a miracle every now and then. But this miracle will not always come with fanfare and trumpets, but sometimes very quietly. It can be anything – a supposedly fleeting encounter, a quote… something that gives you the strength to get up and move on.

Jordi: It was easy for me because I like the energy of these songs so much.

Jordi: Most people no longer have a CD player at home or in their car. Like cassettes, CDs have simply gone out of fashion. There is a time for everything and now there is coming a different, a new time for how we listen to music.

Jordi: It’s a very special atmosphere – I love Christmas music and when everything is so beautifully decorated. In addition, the entire production team is usually in a particularly good mood. It just feels good to be there.

Jordi: I think it’s great and wish him lots of fun and great ratings! Every program on television that brings joy and has so much positive music in it is very important these days!

Jordi: I can basically imagine almost anything.

Jordi: I think 2024 was very challenging for all of us. There have been a lot of changes that we don’t yet know exactly where this will take us. That’s why I hope that we don’t allow ourselves to be guided by our fear or uncertainty, but rather focus on the positive again and again. That we look for solutions together and open ourselves up again to honest and solution-oriented conversations.