Proberaum Zukunft
Die Allianz der letzten Demokratien
Ein Pre-Enactment
Zurich
Zurich, 2027: A handful of democratic governments establish the «Allianz der letzten Demokratien». Switzerland must decide whether to join – a fictional yet tangible scenario charged with political tension. A specially convened Swiss public assembly grapples with democratic principles, fears about the future, responsibility – and Swiss neutrality. Together with the audience, real national and international political figures explore how democracy might endure in the future.
Read more
Zurich in the near future: August 2027. Liberal democracies are on the defensive in the face of autocratically governed regimes worldwide. Tothe surprise of the global public, a new power bloc forms in Zurich. At the University of Zurich, over 40 democracies agree to establish a multilateral organisation for the protection of democracy: the International Democratic Alliance (IDA).
Switzerland, as host, is taken aback by the sudden agreement. Should the neutral small state – perhaps the best democracy in the world – join the alliance? The Federal Council is hesitating – the charter goes too far. But following a parliamentary decision in spring 2027, a Swiss delegation selected by lot now has the final say in international negotiations. It has two hours to decide whether to join.
Eighty years after Winston Churchill’s historic «Zurich Speech» at the University of Zurich, in which the British statesman in 1946 invoked a democratic Europe, the question arises anew: What structures do we have to build today so that tomorrow we may live in peace, security, and freedom?
«Proberaum Zukunft» is an ongoing social and theatre project, initiated in 2017, that creates spaces where people not only think about the future, but also actively test it. In a scenario developed together with professors from the University of Zurich, participants including former heads of state, senior diplomats, academics, representatives from business and civil society, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Swiss politicians from all parties come together. With the audience taking on the role of the Swiss delegation, they negotiate and scrutinise the challenges of the 21st century.
Dates and Tickets
shows from today- Fr 14.08. 19:00 - 21:00 CHF 45.–/30.–/15.– booked out, no box office
- Sa 15.08. 16:00 - 18:00 CHF 45.–/30.–/15.– booked out, no box office
- Fr 21.08. 19:00 - 21:00 CHF 45.–/30.–/15.– booked out, no box office
- Sa 22.08. 19:00 - 21:00 CHF 45.–/30.–/15.– booked out, no box office
Support programme
Stammtisch
Demokratie proben
Fr 28.8., 21.00 Uhr
Accessibility
Easy to read
This performance takes place in Zurich in the year 2027, so in the future. It shows an imagined situation that the audience can experience as if it were real. Several democratic countries form a new group called the «Alliance of the Last Democracies». Switzerland must decide whether it wants to join this group or not.
To help make this decision, a special assembly is convened. Together with real politicians from Switzerland and other countries, the audience discusses democracy, responsibility, neutrality and possible futures for Switzerland. At the end, the audience must make a decision and vote.
Artistic direction and cast
| Proberaum Zukunft: Konzept & künstlerische Leitung | Eneas Prawdzic |
|---|---|
| Dramaturgie | Daniel Riniker |
| Ausstattung | Maude von Giese |
| Video | Silas Gotsch |
| Mitarbeit Kommunikation & Dramaturgie | Jeannie Schneider |
| Produktionsleitung | Daniel Riniker, Michel Blaser |
| Produktionsassistenz | Gina Müller |
| Oeil extérieur | Julia Reichert |
| Hospitanz | Manuel Holzer |
| Art x Science Office Universität Zürich: Kuration | Katharina Weikl |
| Projektleitung | Cécile Rey |
| Foto | Dimitri Seibane |
| Mit | Micheline Calmy-Rey (alt Bundesrätin), Zuzana Čaputová (ehem. Präsidentin Slowakei), Stefan Löfven (ehem. Ministerpräsident Schweden), Thomas Greminger (ehem. OSZE Generalsekretär), Marianne Binder-Keller (Ständerätin), Martin Dahinden (ehem. DEZA Direktor, Botschafter), Daniel Jositsch (Ständerat), Hannes Germann (Ständerat), Monika Rühl (Direktorin Economiesuisse), Jean-Daniel Ruch (ehem. Diplomat), Priska Seiler Graf (Nationalrätin), Nina Fehr Düsel (Nationalrätin), Fabian Molina (Nationalrat), Kathy Riklin (alt Nationalrätin), Hans Peter Portmann (Nationalrat), Tim Guldimann (ehem. Botschafter, alt Nationalrat), Martin Landolt (alt Nationalrat), Thomas Borer (ehem. Botschafter), Andrea Sprecher (Generalsekretärin) u.v.m. |
| Wissenschaftlicher Beirat der Universität Zürich | Prof. Dr. Daniele Caramani, Prof. Dr. Francis Cheneval, Dr. Petra Holtrup, Prof. Dr. Natascha Just, Prof. Dr. Helen Keller, Prof. Dr. Andreas Kellerhals, Prof. Em. Dr. Andreas Kley, Prof. Dr. Daniel Kübler |
Production
| Produktion | Proberaum Zukunft |
|---|---|
| Koproduktion | Universität Zürich, Zürcher Theater Spektakel |
| Unterstützung | Stiftung Mercator Schweiz, Landis & Gyr, GGKZ Gemeinnützige Stiftung des Kantons Zürich, Pro Helvetia |
| Premiere | August 2026, Zürcher Theater Spektakel |
Universität Zürich, Aula
Simulation. 40 democracies. Two hours. One major decision for Switzerland
Première. Cooperation: A project by the Zürcher Theater Spektakel and the Art × Science Office of the University of Zurich.
Duration
approx. 120 min.
Language
German, English with simultaneous translation
Age
16 years plus
Thanks
With the support of the Mercator Foundation Switzerland and Pro Helvetia.
Please note
Doors open 30 minutes before the start of the performance, main entrance at Rämistrasse 71