Klub Kembali - Craft, Cuisine, and Community

Grüezi! In honor of the 75-year anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Switzerland, Klub Kembali announces a new cross-cultural program for 2026. Daniel Schwizer, the Swiss owner of Klub Kembali located in Selong Belanak, explains the initiative will feature Swiss and Indonesian inspired cocktail and menu specials – plus a pop-up art gallery experience – all designed to celebrate the enduring friendship between the two nations.

Finding Common Ground

Before diving into the event details, it’s natural to wonder about the commonalities between Indonesia and Switzerland. While travelers may notice distinct differences between the two countries, there are significant similarities that often go unnoticed.

Schwizer, who has lived in Lombok for eight years, believes the partnership between Indonesia and Switzerland goes beyond mere diplomacy. He states, “Indonesia and Switzerland share more than official ties. While their cultures and traditions differ, they both embody a spirit of community, craft, tradition, and a shared curiosity about the world.” This perspective shapes the Klub Kembali celebration as a testament to this bond through experiences of taste and art.

Mountain Views

An alpine connection binds two distant lands with Schwizer pointing to mountains as a vivid point of similarity between the two regions. For example, Lombok’s Mount Rinjani towers at approximately 3,726 meters, while the Jungfrau Joch in the Bernese Alps reaches around 3,463 meters.

Known as “The Top of Europe,” the Jungfrau Joch carries special significance for Schweizer as it was the place where his father led tours for many years. “When I look up at Mount Rinjani, I feel a connection to a cherished place I visited with my dad, half a world away,” he explains. This appreciation for nature signifies a broader connection between Switzerland and Indonesia, he notes, as both nations are united by a spirit of adventure, bravery, and exploration. While the gear and weather vary for each climb, the shared virtues of resilience and curiosity remain.

Folk Art & Craft

The narrative extends into folk art and craftsmanship. After years in Lombok, Schwizer has observed a shared creative spark between Indonesia and Switzerland. He points to Switzerland’s expertise in wood carving, textile arts such as embroidery and lacemaking, and traditional ceramics from the Thun-Heimberg-Langnau region, where his family had a home.

Similarly, Lombok showcases local pottery, textile weaving, and wood carving throughout the island. A lighthearted touch, he notes: both Switzerland and Lombok even feature the humble cowbell as a popular souvenir for visitors. The underlying message is clear – what appears different on the surface reveals a shared love of local craft, passed down through generations in both cultures.

For the Love of Food

Finally, the love of traditional food underscores an even stronger cultural bond. Schwizer contrasts national dishes as expressions of pride in both countries. In Indonesia, favorites such as nasi goreng, beef rendang, and soto ayam are highlighted as distinctly Indonesian. In Switzerland, cheese fondue, raclette, and rösti stand as iconic national dishes. Schwizer observes that the pride each nation takes in its culinary heritage creates a connection, “This love of traditional food is definitely a bridge between both countries and obviously, as a restaurant owner, the space closest to my heart.”

Celebrate 75 Years with Cocktails, Art, and More

To bring these ideas to life, Klub Kembali will host a 2026 Swiss-Indo program titled “Aprés Beach” in celebration of the 75-year diplomatic anniversary. Blending Swiss-inspired cocktails and food specials with Indonesian ingredients and techniques, “Aprés Beach” aims to weave Swiss influences into Lombok’s warm, tropical atmosphere, resulting in a menu that reflects cultural synthesis.

In addition to the culinary journey, Klub Kembali will collaborate with the Lombok-based art studio, Plastik Kembali, to present a pop-up gallery featuring artworks that explore themes of connection and shared curiosity through recycled and upcycled art. The exhibition will highlight the collaboration between the two nations and celebrate how global connections based on shared values can inspire renewal. Supported by Nyaman Gallery Lombok, located in Selong Belanak, Plastik Kembali owner Elissa Gjertson remarks, “Art inspires us to see what unites us, not what divides us. This event is a chance to recognize shared goals of acceptance, empathy, and creativity that connect communities around the world.”

Schwizer echoes this sentiment, stating, “Friendships are built through conversation, shared meals, and moments of inspiration. This celebration aims to foster those connections and reveal that the similarities between Indonesia and Switzerland outnumber their differences. This is what can create change in the world. And,” he says with a smile, “some really great cocktails!”

The inaugural “Aprés Beach” special menu will be available from 1st January at Klub Kembali in Selong Belanak, Lombok. Follow @klubkembali for more Swiss-Indo inspired events throughout 2026.