He had suggested the museum bistro in the Rollerhof as a meeting point, as it is located right next to his current place of work, the Christmas market on Münsterplatz. We’d barely sat down at our table and a lady approaches and asks: “Excuse me, aren’t you...?”. Heinz Margot cheerfully replies in the affirmative and whispers to us with a wink: “I paid her for that, of course.” But the fact that the 63-year-old is still recognised after the end of his career in television is also evident from the curious glances from the surrounding tables, following our every word.

“I like having a finger in many pies, I’m most comfortable when there’s a lot going on.” Heinz Margot

No wonder, he has reinvented himself many a time during his life. As a young actor, he signed up with Radio Basilisk and soon afterwards with Swiss TV broadcaster, Schweizer Fernsehen DRS, launching his second career as a successful presenter. The fact that he presented a cross-section of the Carnival in Basel and the cortège, among other things, also contributed to his popularity in his home town.

“For me, the hospitality sector has many parallels with show business. In both cases, we create a setting to inspire people and make them happy.” Heinz Margot

Besides, it is the commitment of operating as a service provider that has always fascinated him. “As a business owner you are responsible for everything, from marketing to purchasing and managing staff to welcoming guests,” he says. From 2002 to 2011, he proved that this is his speciality in Zermatt, where he ran various restaurants. During this time, he even took on tasks that are not normally part of a landlord’s job description. As a result, he regularly had to start up a snow cannon so that his guests could still ski home when winter was a long time coming. He remembers spending around 30 nights a year at his premises, as snow production had to be strictly monitored.

A jack-of-all-trades with a love for Christmas

“We have guests from all over the world; locals and expats feel equally at home here. The atmosphere is always very peaceful and pleasant.” Heinz Margot

“We have guests from all over the world; locals and expats feel equally at home here. The atmosphere is always very peaceful and pleasant.” Comments like these make it clear that the Advent season is much more than just a lucrative business for him. He is particularly enthusiastic about Münsterplatz and the festively decorated trees directly in front of his stand. And he is a fan of the diversity that characterises Basel during the festive season, from the classic Christmas market to the Magical Courtyards and the illuminated Mittlere Brücke, to the Adväntsgass alley on the opposite side of the Rhine. His advice? Simply dive in and make the most of everything there is to discover.

A Basel Christmas Story

“That was a completely new experience for me. I was able to fully concentrate on stimulating ideas and encouraging creativity in others.” Heinz Margot

This hidden picture book was illustrated by Mattia Jonathan Serena, and the accompanying story was written by Mathias Brenneis and Roman Huber. A number of prominent figures have been engaged for the audio book, including President of the Cantonal Government, Conradin Cramer, who plays a candle seller. Heinz acts as narrator, and in real life he can be found every day in the midst of the Christmas hustle and bustle, cashing up, pouring wine or chatting with old and new acquaintances. But what does he actually do at Christmas itself? “We dismantle everything on Christmas Eve, which takes until the afternoon,” he says. “Then I spend the evening alone with my partner, all cosy, which has also become a tradition.” And what a lovely tradition, his own silent night, calm and bright, like in the book!