Events

It has been almost a year since the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), a popular major European event, came to Basel. In addition to jury votes from each country, this music competition also takes into account audience votes, which contributed significantly to the result last year. This gives audiences from all over Europe a special role to play. One year on, we would like to take stock in our discussion and ask what the ESC in Basel revealed about our everyday lives – and what remains of the event. Topics such as event and fan cultures, mediatisation and nationhood will be addressed and linked to the actual experiences surrounding the ESC final. The focus will be on the question of what realities and stories became visible in the context of the mega-event – on stage, in the city, in the media and in fan cultures.

This November, writers in Basel have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in an intensive weekend of creative writing led by instructors from the University of Oxford.

On November 28–29, join acclaimed writers and Oxford creative writing tutors Amal Chatterjee and Jane Draycott for two inspiring days dedicated to the craft of storytelling and poetry.

Saturday November 28 – Fiction with Amal Chatterjee
Explore the art of fiction through generative exercises, close reading, and guided discussion. Amal will help participants sharpen narrative voice, develop characters, and discover new approaches to storytelling.

Sunday November 29 – Poetry with Jane Draycott
Spend the day with celebrated poet Jane Draycott exploring poetic language, imagery, rhythm, and form. Through writing prompts and collaborative feedback, participants will deepen their poetic practice and expand their creative possibilities.

Each workshop day runs for five immersive hours :

10:00–12:00 morning session
14:00–17:00 afternoon session
Designed for both emerging and experienced writers, this weekend offers a rare chance to learn directly from two distinguished Oxford instructors in an intimate and supportive setting.

Full workshop fee : CHF 400
Early Bird price : CHF 325

Spaces are limited to ensure a focused and interactive experience.

If you are looking to reignite your creativity, refine your craft, or simply spend a weekend immersed in writing, this workshop promises inspiration, insight, and community.

Join us in Basel this November and take your writing further!

The origins of carnival – and of Basel’s own Fasnacht – lie shrouded in the mists of time, where history and myth blur together. Countless theories swirl around its beginnings, but few certainties remain. Tonight, we follow one of the most haunting trails: the echoes of death and the devil that run beneath the revelry. From the wild cries of the Wilde Jagd, that ghostly hunt of restless souls across winter skies, to the masked figures who mock mortality itself, we’ll explore the darker roots that may have shaped the laughter and chaos of Fasnacht. True or not — who can say? But one thing is sure: the story is too intriguing not to chase.

A football scholar and a former pro share their favourite books and what they mean to them.

For our event on the Women's European Championship, Marianne Meier, Senior Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Bern and author of the recently published book "History of Swiss Women's Football 1923–2025," and our team member Permi Jhooti, ​​the first professional Asian female footballer in Great Britain, came together. In a dialogue between books about football and books by footballers, they took us on a journey that highlighted the connection between life events and sporting events, and their sometimes reciprocal influence. Often, they enrich each other in unexpected ways.

Love it, hate it, or secretly binge-watch it every year—the Eurovision Song Contest is more than just music. It’s politics, culture, identity, and a whole lot of drama
wrapped in sequins and key changes. But what are we really voting for? The song? The country? The story behind the artist?

Let’s talk about it.

At "The Winner Is…", we’re diving into the bigger picture of Eurovision. It’s a night of
conversation, debate, and maybe a little controversy.

Here’s what’s on the table:
- What does it really mean to vote? Are we choosing the best song, or is there
more at play?
- How does a country’s image shape its chances? Some nations get twelve
points year after year—why?
- What role does the artist’s own identity and story play? Do personal
narratives influence public and jury decisions?
- How do the contest’s rules and setup shape the outcome? Behind the glitz,
Eurovision is a machine—who controls the levers?

And because this wouldn’t be Eurovision without a little audience participation… we’ll
put it to the test. You’ll cast your own votes, live, and see how our own
mini-Eurovision stacks up!

Whether you’re a Eurovision superfan, a casual viewer, or just here for the politics
behind the pop—come join us. Who knows? You might just rethink how you vote.