We welcome you to our newest interview in our weekly series. Here we interview each week somebody from the community and learn a bit more about their lives. This week, from Pisogne, Italy:  🇮🇹
 
Renata Dutler, a housewife and former commercial clerk, has lived in northern Italy for 49 years. Born and raised in Switzerland, she now lives in Pisogne on Lake Iseo, Brescia. Although she misses Swiss specialties like Bündner pear bread and Toblerone, she appreciates the milder climate in Italy. Despite this, she remains open to the possibility of returning to Switzerland in the future. Renata also participates in social groups and enjoys making decorations from natural materials as a hobby.
 
What is your name and where are you living now?
 
Renata Dutler and I have lived in northern Italy ( Pisogne on Lake Iseo, province of Brescia) for 49 years. I am now a housewife (mother and grandmother). I have worked part-time as a commercial clerk for many years and also bred Cocker Spaniel puppies from time to time for at least 15 years together with my husband. Most of them have been adopted by Swiss families. I also make decorations from natural materials as a hobby and participate in some markets. Of course also in Switzerland. I also work for some social groups like Amnesty international and others here .....so I am never bored....
 
What is your connection to Switzerland? Have you been born there, or do you have some roots in Switzerland? 
 
I was born in Switzerland (Winterthur) as the second of 6 children and grew up in the Rhine Valley of St.Gallen. Our mother comes from the same place here in Italy where fate has drawn me. Already as children we often came here on vacation and in October on vineyards.
 
What is the thing that you miss about Switzerland the most?
 
Except of course my relatives and acquaintances (2 of our 3 children have moved to Switzerland together with family) I also miss all sorts of specialties such as Bündner pear bread, Basler Leckerli, cheese fondue or Toblerone and on every trip to Switzerland buy this or that.
 
What do you think is better or do you like more in your new country?
 
Above all, I appreciate the milder climate, especially in winter. The summers, on the other hand, have been too hot and too dry here for a few years now.
 
Do you have any plans of returning soon? For vacations or permanently.
 
I am always available for vacations in Switzerland, definitely I am at home here.
I have created too big an environment for myself here. But who knows what life still has in store for me. "Never say never" is my motto.