Filomena Delgado, Embassy of the Republic of Angola

Published: 07.04.2025

Ambassador Filomena Delgado loves the Bear Park, the friendliness of the Bernese, and the city's stunning architecture. Find out which museums in Bern she particularly appreciates and the life motto that guides her.

Article published in the infoletter May 2025.

Filomena Delgado ...

... was born in the province of Huambo in the Central Plateau of the Republic of Angola.

... has held the position of Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Swiss Confederation and is also accredited to the Principality of Liechtenstein, since June 2023.

... previously served as Ambassador of the Republic of Angola to South Africa, with concurrent accreditation to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

10 questions to Filomena Delgado

What projects are you most excited about right now?

I look forward with great anticipation to the conclusion of several important negotiations. Of particular importance to me is the signing of the Agreement on the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments, which aims to create favourable conditions and to ensure the protection and security of investments in Angola and Switzerland.

In terms of the economic sector, Angola holds tremendous potential. Its subsoil is believed to contain 35 of the 45 most commercially significant minerals, including not only rare earth elements but also oil, natural gas, diamonds, phosphates, bituminous substances, iron, copper, magnesium, gold, silver, and ornamental stones.

When you arrived in Bern, what were you most surprised by?

The friendliness of the Bernese, the organisation of the institutions, the architecture, the tranquility, and the mobility.

“I am fascinated by the unique political mechanisms and processes of the Federal Palace.”

Filomena Delgado

Is there something you miss about your home country?

The joy of life of the Angolan people, their light-hearted way of living, and the warm, family-oriented atmosphere – just to mention what first comes to my mind – are things I miss deeply.

Our country, our origin, is the place where our culture, our identity, and our personality are shaped. In other words: it is here that we learn to be, to have, and to exist. That is why we remain deeply connected to our roots, even though Angola is a country where many different ethnic groups and cultures coexist, enriched by a wide variety of languages, dances, and music.

What do you like most about Bern? Tell us about your favourite place in Bern.

There are quite a few. I love the Bern Cathedral, the Bear Park and the urban architecture around the River Aare. At the same time, I am fascinated by the unique political mechanisms and processes of the Federal Palace.

What are the similarities and differences between your home country and your host country?

From a tourism point of view, there are some places that stand in marked contrast to Switzerland. My country has religious sites steeped in spirituality, sublime sun-drenched beaches, lush forests, unspoilt nature parks, the spectacular dunes of the Namib Desert, majestic mountain ranges, impressive waterfalls... the list goes on!

Like Luanda, Bern is a paradise for museum-goers, such as the history museum and the art museum, which is considered one of the best and most complete art museums in Switzerland. With a rich and captivating history, our capital Luanda is also home to some remarkable museums, including the Slavery Museum and the National History Museum.

What is still on your to-do list?

I want to continue showcasing the beauty and diversity of my country in order to attract private investors. This is one of the greatest challenges in driving my country’s development forward, particularly in the areas of industrialisation and technology.

“I deeply miss the joy of life of the Angolan people, their light-hearted way of living, and the warm, family-oriented atmosphere.”

Filomena Delgado

Any advice for newcomers?

Visit and respect the political and institutional structures.

Are there any books or films that you particularly recommend?

I don’t have a specific book or film in mind, but if I may offer a recommendation, it would be to visit the Heidi Village. The patriotic story of the place moved me deeply, and I see it as a source of inspiration for love of one’s country as well as motivation for the younger generation.

What was one of the most important encounters?

My stay in Switzerland has been marked by many important moments, such as visits to the Lindt chocolate factory, the Olympic Museum, and Novartis – to name just a few.