New newspaper edition, winter break and New Year

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

Role models provide guidance, inspiration and encouragement. The latest edition of our newspaper focuses on individuals whose stories and work serve as examples – and who talk about big emotions, big fears and the possibility of meaning the whole world. This is also inspired by Laura Leupi's ‘Thoughts on Theatre’ (only in German), which expresses the desire for precisely these experiences.

Artists Phil Hayes, Susanne Abelein and Tina Mantel talk to journalist Aleksandra Hiltmann about ageing in the independent scene (article only in German): about visibility, new challenges and the freedoms that come with time.

Marah Rikli explores the question of what a future might look like in which people with disabilities naturally occupy decision-making positions (article only in German), and talks to Inga Laas, Nina Mühlemann and Noa Winter about this.

Journalist Giulia Bernardi meets musician Rita Roof (article only in German) and recounts an artistic journey that began in the background and ultimately led to a solo career. In collaboration with the Papierlose Zeitung newspaper, the issue also features articles by Frmesk Rezaei and Reya Morgado, who write about political resistance and the courage to stand up to an oppressive world.

The issue is rounded off by our recurring features: the photo essay by Hannah Gottschalk, the comic by Rada Leu, the fashion column ‘Stars and Styles’ with Rafał Pierzyński, and the theatre horoscope by Rhea Seleger.

The print editions of our newspaper can be ordered individually or by subscription (four issues per year) – and, like the Gessnerallee annual pass, make wonderful Christmas gifts.

As this is our last weekly newsletter of the year and anticipation is known to be the greatest joy, here is a little preview of the programme for January:

Programme

7 January, 7.30 pm

‘An evening on barriers and how we dismantle them down’ by CORRECTIV.Schweiz

‘Monthly Topics’ is a series of talks organised by the Gessnerallee in cooperation with various editorial teams: once a month, an editorial team selects a key journalistic topic and discusses it live with the audience. This time, the focus is on visible and invisible barriers in everyday life. Tickets

14, 15, 17 and 18 January

‘Glistening (Remembering the Unknown)’ by DIVAS

DIVAS is not a fixed project, but a permeable network for local artists in Zurich. On 14 January, the collective will celebrate the premiere of its new piece ‘Glistening (Remembering the Unknown)’ at the Gessnerallee. It is an invitation to a journey into a dance performance that allows you to experience connectedness in different ways. Tickets

25 January, 3 pm

Rita Roof – Children's concert series

For over two decades, Zurich singer Rita Roof has been gracing some of Switzerland's biggest hits with her voice, away from the limelight. In 2024, she returned to the spotlight with the projects ‘Härt verdient’ and ‘So viel Platz’ – this time as a solo artist. In January, she will be on stage at Stall6 as part of our children's concert series. Tickets

You can find an overview of the 2025/26 programme on our website.

We will be back on 7 January.

The Gessnerallee team