Season start 2025/26 – (Un)gentle Learning

«Neutralitätstheater – The myth of Switzerland put to the test!»
Hannan Salamat und Fatima Moumouni

An evening about Switzerland's most legendary myth - open, polyphonic, uncomfortable and by no means neutral. A piece of remembrance culture with bright minds from Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Guests include Amani Abu Zahra, Anouchka Gwen, Artan Islamaj, Edwin Arsenio Ramirez, Julia Skof, Marilyn Umurungi, Max Czollek, Melinda Nadj Abonji, Nina Mühlemann, and Zarina Tadjibaeva.

  • Thu 18/09 20:00 – 23:00

    Stall6

Copyright: not your bubble

It has long been common knowledge that Switzerland is not as neutral as it pretends to be. Nevertheless, it stubbornly clings to the myth on the official stage - not by accident, but because this story is quite useful: politically, economically, for its image. Neutrality as a brand, as a diplomatic stage, as a mediator pose with a clear conscience.

On this evening, we will shine a spotlight on the gaps: What stories and voices are missing from Switzerland's mantra-like self-portrayal as a neutral country? What continuities of exclusion shape the past and present? Who writes what we remember and what we forget?

Intelligent minds from the worlds of art, science and activism will discuss these questions with the audience and with guests from the more or less neutral neighbouring countries of Austria and Germany. An evening of conversation and performance – open, polyphonic, uncomfortable and by no means neutral! Curated and moderated by Hannan Salamat and Fatima Moumouni.

Guests include: Amani Abu Zahra, Anouchka Gwen, Artan Islamaj, Edwin Arsenio Ramirez, Julia Skof, Marilyn Umurungi, Max Czollek, Melinda Nadj Abonji, Nina Mühlemann, Zarina Tadjibaeva

Duration: 180 minutes with intermission

The discursive theatre of neutrality is followed by dancing and partying. And a midnight snack will be provided.

Information on accessibility and language 

  • Relaxed Performance

  • In German spoken language

‘Neutralitätstheater – The Myth of Switzerland put to the test!’ is part of the Swiss edition of ‘heimaten’, the decentralised festival for plural democracy organised by the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW, Berlin), and is being brought to Switzerland by not_your_bubble in collaboration with the Gessnerallee. With content support and networking by ‘Zwischentext’ and the magazine ‘Neue Wege’. The production expands the debate on specifically Swiss constructions of identity, memory and neutrality.

The ‘heimaten’ network is an initiative of the HKW that brings together institutions, projects and cultural practitioners from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to think about the concept of home in plural terms and to develop it further as a shared, malleable practice for a diverse democracy. More information about ‘heimaten’: www.hkw.de/heimaten

Credits

Supported by

Gessnerallee season start 2025/26

The programme focus «(Un)gentle Learning» will take place at Gessnerallee from 11 to 21 September to mark the start of the season. It will explore processes of transition, mourning and learning.

«Stars Are Never Sleeping, Dead Ones and the Living»

Theres Indermaur and Stephanie Müller
11/09 - 15/09
18/09 - 21/09
Room installation

«Fourth Eye, 4.40 AM»
Ceylan Öztrük
11/09, 13/09, 14/09, 15/09
Performance

«Pas Moi»
Diana Anselmo

(in LIS, Italian sign language)
12/09, 13/09,
Lecture-Performance

«Muskeln aus Plastik - a crip-queer reading»
Kay Matter
14/09
Reading

«Neutralitätstheater – The myth of Switzerland on the table!»
Hannan Salamat and Fatima Moumouni
18/09
Talk, Performance

«Sleight of Hand»
Jo Bannon

(in German spoken language)
19/09
Installation, Performance

«Sleight of Hand»
Jo Bannon

(in English spoken language)
20/09
Installation, Performance

«When the Calabash Breaks»
Tiran Willemse and Melika Ngombe Kolongo (Nkisi)
20/09, 21/09
Open-Air-Performance, Music, Dance

«KOMMANDO AJAX»
Cemile Sahin
21/09
Reading

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