The programme in December

Dear visitors to Gessnerallee, dear artists

We have had a wonderful weekend. With the ‘volumes art publishing days’, the Nordflügel and Stall6 were transformed into lively places of exchange with zines, prints and books, offering space for diverse conversations, images and content. In the hall, the sold-out performances of the choreographic work ‘La Tendresse du ventre de la baleine’ thrilled audiences with an intoxicating mixture of tenderness and power – and incredibly talented dancers.

To round off the month of November, artasfoundation invites you to its monthly discussion series ‘Peacebuilding between stage and research’ today, Wednesday, 26th November, at 5.30 pm. This time, the guests are Diana Rojas (director, performer, researcher at the HKB) and Chimène Costa (artistic director, dancer, actress, cultural manager). Two days later, on Friday, 28 November, at 9 pm, the Zurich music trio ‘Les Voda’ will unfold their raw, cinematic, washed-out city kid blues between psychedelic rock and garage in a concert. Both events are free of charge.

With December just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how we want to spend the time leading up to the New Year. If you find the Advent calendar too full, the biscuits too sweet and the kitsch in the shops too much, or if Christmas has always been a mystery to you, then Gessnerallee is the place for you in December. We offer secular food for thought, cosy rooms, uncomfortable questions, wonderful sounds, heart-warming songs and poetic rays of hope.

Programme overview

‘Abuse of power at universities – 200 testimonials and the call for reform’ by the REFLEKT research team

3 December, 7.30 pm

Have you experienced abuse of power at a Swiss university? In response to this call from the investigative research team REFLEKT, more than 200 people from 12 universities came forward in the summer of 2025. They reported bullying, intimidation, exploitation of dependent relationships and sexual harassment. The journalists at REFLEKT conducted dozens of interviews with those affected, evaluated their reports and analysed them together with experts. On stage, they will provide insight into their months of research and discuss their findings with experts. Tickets

‘Care Web: Discussion Round Dramaturgy Blind’ by Criptonite

10 December, 7 pm

How can sensory, creative dramaturgy be created for blind and visually impaired audiences? What options are there beyond ‘classic’ audio description via headphones? How can cultural institutions better contribute to good collaboration with blind and visually impaired artists? Nina Mühlemann and Edwin Ramirez from Criptonite will discuss these questions with various blind and visually impaired experts in this online event. More information

‘Desperate Measures’ by Phil Hayes / First Cut Productions

10, 12, 13 December, 8 pm, 14 December, 6 pm

Zurich-based actor, musician and director Phil Hayes is known for his melancholic humour, his precise use of language and his subtle irony when dealing with topics. For ‘Desperate Measures’, which will premiere in Zurich, he is collaborating with musicians Martina Berther, Mario Hänni and Dominic Oppliger to conjure up an evening full of black humour and heart-wrenching songs. Tickets

‘Write and Stay’ by ‘Papierlose Zeitung’

11 December, 8 pm

In Switzerland, people usually talk about migrants rather than with them. The ‘Papierlose Zeitung’ (Paperless Newspaper) of the Autonomous School Zurich (ASZ) does things differently. Here, migrants themselves have their say. They talk about their lives and their views on migration and politics – personally, journalistically and poetically. Contributions from the latest issue of the Papierlose Zeitung will be read at the Gessnerallee. An evening of stories about flight and resistance, about rays of hope and solidarity. More information

‘OPEN STUDIO: Imagine a Black Child’ by Zainab J Lascandri supported by Fatima Moumouni, Tracy September & Brandy Butler

16 to 18 December, 8 pm each evening

An invitation to listen – in Dimitri de Perrot's ‘OPEN STUDIO’, four groups of artists explore how sound can be staged and share their search for new forms of theatre in public performances. Performer, musician, trans and interdisciplinary artist Zainab J Lascandri brings the polyphonic archive ‘Imagine a Black Child’ as source material for the first ‘OPEN STUDIO’. Accompanied by Fatima Moumouni, Tracy September and Brandy Butler, Lascandri works with fragments, scenes and moods and transforms them into a sonic-scenic form. Tickets

‘Collective Visions – Photography as Collaboration’ by artasfoundation

17 December, 5.30 pm

Artistic creation in crisis areas is confronted with challenging questions. In this series of talks, various participants come together to reflect on their experiences. This time with Sadia Marium (freelance photographer, Kaali Collective) and Tiffany Fairey (Department of War Studies at King's College London). More information

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

Furthermore

In just under a month, the festive gift-giving marathon will begin for many – what about you? Already have some ideas or still looking for inspiration?

How about an annual pass for Gessnerallee? With this, you can give the gift of culture, drama, humour and food for thought – without having to take centre stage yourself. You can order it by sending a short email to: kasse@gessnerallee.ch or directly via the website.

Or you could opt for a subscription to our newspaper, which we publish four times a season. Perfect for anyone who loves good (cultural) stories and enjoys reading in style. You can get an insight into it on our website. Order by sending a short email to: zeitung@gessnerallee.ch.

We wish you a good start to December.

The Gessnerallee team