Back from the summer break and accessibility for visually impaired and blind people

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

We are back. After a month of holidays filled with rest, relaxation and unwinding, we are recharged with energy and looking forward to the coming season, which starts on 11 September. The two-week season opener «(Un)gentle Learning» will feature productions, installations and readings by Ceylan Öztrük, Theres Indermaur and Stephanie Müller, Diana Anselmo, SoliSoli, Kay Matter, Hannan Salamat and Fatima Moumouni, Jo Bannon, Tiran Willemse and Melika Ngombe Kolombo (Nkisi) and Cemile Sahin. All information about the programme can be found on our website.

But even before that, it's worth stopping by Gessnerallee. From 26 to 30 August, the workshop «Dramaturgy Blind Inclusive» will take place in collaboration with the crip-queer collective Criptonite and under the direction of artists Fia Neises and Liv Schellander. With a mixed group of interested parties and artists of all levels of vision, formats for inclusive and creative audio description will be researched, playfully tried out and discussed. The workshop is already fully booked, but it will be open to the interested public on two days:

28 August, 3 to 6 pm

«Blind inclusive dramaturgy: Barrier-free art creation with and for blind and visually impaired audiences», keynote speech by Fia Neises and Liv Schellander 

People of all visual abilities and backgrounds are invited to learn more about accessibility for visually impaired and blind people. The workshop will focus on anti-ableist strategies in the fields of theatre, performance and dance. If you would like to read more about the possibilities theatre offers in terms of setting the visible to music, but also in terms of visualising the audible, you can read Fia Neises' «A thought on theatre» (only in German) in our newspaper. 

30 August, 3 to 4.30 pm 

«Blind inclusive dramaturgy: workshop sharing»

For anyone who has always wanted to know what audio description actually means in practice and how dance and performance can be experienced by visually impaired and blind audiences. The sharing session will present what the workshop participants have worked on together over the five days. Initial scenic sketches will be shared and discussed in a small group.

There is much to learn and much to discover.

Now for the weekly overview of the programme, newspaper articles, news and everything else we want to share with you.

Programme recommendation of the week

To warm up after the summer break, we recommend a visit to the Theater Spektakel this week. Our programme tips for this week are the work «INHALE DELIRIUM EXHALE» by Miet Warlop (20 to 23 August), an artist who has caused a sensation at the Gessnerallee, the Theater Spektakel and internationally, as well as «Wasted Land» by Bernese theatre maker Ntando Cele (23 to 25 August). Joining Ntando Cele on stage are Brandy Butler, Françoise Gautier and Steffi Lobréau. And that's not all, of course, because this year's Theater Spektakel once again boasts an exciting and diverse programme. It's worth taking a look at the website.

Newspaper

«Macht mal Licht an, ich hör nichts» by Fia Neises

Theatre as a space for setting the visible to music and visualising the audible. To the article (only in German)

Aesthetics of Access - exploring artistic accessibility

An explanatory piece about art that offers disabled and deaf/hard of hearing visitors an equally aesthetic experience as the non-disabled, hearing public. To the article

You can find more articles on our website or in the four print editions published to date.

If you would like to read more of our cultural stories, which are written with love and care, then subscribe to the Gessnerallee newspaper now. We will be publishing a total of four editions in the coming season. The next edition will be published in September. Orders can be placed at zeitung@gessnerallee.ch.

Furthermore

In March 2026, the Roxy Birsfelden will host the 15th edition of «Mixed Pickles», a platform for short performance pieces. Up to four artists or groups will have the opportunity to present a short piece lasting no more than 20 minutes. Whether you want to develop something existing or try something completely new, anything is possible. The format is aimed at young artists. Project submissions from the fields of dance or performance with a focus on movement are welcome. Applications from the field of theatre will not be considered. Click here for the open call.

We look forward to the new season and to seeing you around.

The Gessnerallee team