Last week, we gathered in Basel for a very special moment in the ES VICIS journey. Our Year-End Cocktail & Art Experience, hosted at Sarasin Art, brought together friends, partners, and supporters to celebrate a year of growth, shared achievements, and the expanding impact of our work in revitalizing rural communities.
Set against the enchanting backdrop of Anna Charaktinou’s exhibition, The Ritual of the Unseen, the evening invited guests to pause, connect, and reflect on the power of community. Gallery owner Alexander Sarasin welcomed us and introduced the exhibition, and the artist herself joined the celebration, generously sharing the stories and symbolism behind her pieces.
The exhibition blended dream and reality into a poetic visual world — delicate paper cuttings, trees, birds, shells, and mythological echoes, each composition reminding us of the beauty that emerges when creativity and purpose converge. These intimate microcosms resonated deeply with our mission: nurturing places where people feel seen, valued, and rooted.
During the welcome remarks, we celebrated the progress made across our initiatives this year and looked ahead to what comes next — including the launch of two new three-year projects in Argentina and South Africa. In a challenging non-profit landscape, we are grateful for the partial multi-year support already secured, and we continue working to close the remaining funding gaps with care and determination.
We also shared our 2026 community goals: to grow our Instagram following from 285 to 850 and to double our memberships from 17 to 35 — strengthening the network that sustains our mission.
It was a joy to share this space with everyone who joined us. Thank you for being part of the ES VICIS community and for walking alongside us as we continue building long-term impact. We look forward to all that the new year will bring.
