THE Party: flower power with the AVR

The invitation itself made it clear what attendees of this year’s THE Party had in store. The tickets were designed as a bright and colourful VW camper van with the three organisers from the Roche Employees’ Association (AVR) Uwe Ihmsen, Franziska Schmutz and Ruedi Vorburger looking out of the windows.

The motto of THE Party that took place on Friday 1 February in the staff restaurant in Building 67 was “flower power”. Guests took the idea very seriously, especially those from the over-fifty generation, with many appearing in suitable outfits. People wore flowers in their hair, flared trousers, garishly coloured clothes, John Lennon glasses and long wigs – in short, almost every possible hippie outfit was on display.

A drinks reception was held for the 480 guests in the foyer at 6.30 p.m., before the self-proclaimed “flower children” scattered into the two halls. The Livit band played in the southern hall, while the DJ Beatbrothers provided the musical entertainment in the northern hall. And wherever the Roche employees chose to sit with their companions, the table decorations had always been lovingly put together, with some cheeky touches, featuring everything from sparkling peace symbols, batik tablecloths and colourful postcards to real hemp plants. Even the printed menus were reminiscent of the hippie era, bearing the word "Foodstock" as a play on "Woodstock".

In keeping with the theme, one of the main courses on offer to the lively horde of guests at Tavero’s buffet was a colourful, dyed rainbow burger. More conventional dishes such as starters of salads and sandwiches and main courses of thin rib of beef, chicken breast and prawn skewers were also available.

The next attraction followed as soon as the guests had satisfied their hunger. The Abba cover band brought the legendary Swedish pop group’s hits to life. After that, it was time for a dance. Guests could choose between standard dances such as cha-cha-cha, tango and discofox in the southern hall and club hits from the old days to the present in the northern hall. Again, it was the over-fifties who got on the dance floor first and encouraged everyone else to join in.

Afterwards, or as a snack in-between dances, guests could treat themselves to psychedelic fruits or hippie cupcakes from the delicious dessert buffet. And anyone who had overheated as a result of all the dancing could cool down with ice cream from Gasparini or Mövenpick.

THE Party came to an end around 1 a.m. and the tired but happy party-goers set off for home.