SRG-SSR, the Swiss national broadcaster is working round the clock in order to showcase an extraordinary event when Eurovision lands in Basel next May. The Swiss national’s broadcaster is to organize a Eurovision edition for everyone, involving the whole of Switzerland through various cultural projects!
A large number of projects regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 involving schools, universities, musicians, singers and bands thorughout Switzerland have been implemented by the Eurovision 2025 organizers and the Swiss national national broadcaster:
- Multimedia students Produce two major Eurovision 2025 events: Turquoise Carpet and Opening Ceremony ( University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons FHGR)
- Students Create Content for the Official Social Media Channels (The Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK and the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW)
- School Kit – The ESC Comes to Classrooms in Switzerland ( SRF school, RTR Uffants, RTS Découverte, RSI Edu)
- ESC Mascot „Lumo“ – Students from Basel Competed for the Winning Design (Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, Basel School of Design)
- Songwriting in Schools – Create Your Own Song ( SUISA)
- Eurovision School Song Contest – (SRF school, SRF 3, RTR, RSI)
- A World Record Attempt at the Biggest Over-60s Disco of all Time– (Pro Senectute beider Basel, Pro Senectute Switzerland)
- Supporting Children through Music -(Superar Suisse)
- Urban Art Initiative
- Special Exhibitions-(Exhibitions bring the ESC to public spaces in Basel. Locals and visitors can learn about the history and development of the ESC including original souvenirs)
SRG-SSR’s official press release reads:
Through a range of specific projects, Eurovision will be a celebration for the whole of Switzerland and reach as many people as possible. For example, 16 schools spanning from Appenzell-Ausserrhoden to Geneva will learn how much work and creativity goes into writing a song. In songwriting workshops run in partnership with SUISA, pupils will create their own song with the help of musicians. The highlight of the project will be their performance as part of the Eurovision supporting programme in Basel.
Meanwhile, SRF, RTR and RSI are on the lookout for Switzerland’s favourite school band. The competition is open to all school bands and music classes in Switzerland. Here, too, the four winning bands will get to perform live as part of the Eurovision supporting programme in Basel. The project is supported by Helvetia.
Resources for schools on the Eurovision Song Contest in all four national languages have been available since February to teachers who would like to cover Eurovision in the classroom. The materials were designed with SRF school and developed by independent teachers.
To strengthen inter-generational ties and promote creativity, the Superar Suisse children’s choir and children’s orchestra will visit three care homes in Basel and spread the Eurovision spirit by treating residents to an ABBA medley. The project is supported by Novartis.
The Eurovision spirit will also be brought to life on the dance floor of the world’s biggest over-60s disco. The event – organised by BKB, Pro Senectute Switzerland, Pro Senectute beider Basel and SRG – will take place on 3 May at the Cube Concept Club in the Messe Basel.
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is also working with various Swiss universities. For example, 20-year-old student Lynn Brunner from the Basel Academy of Art and Design designed the Eurovision 2025 mascot ‘LUMO’. Young creatives studying audiovisual media at Zurich University of the Arts and Zurich University of Applied Sciences are implementing innovative social media ideas. And, following the successful live stream production of the Semi-Final draw by students from the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FHGR), the Turquoise Carpet & Opening Ceremony on 11 May is also being produced and realised by the FHGR.
These collaborations promote hands-on learning, provide exciting work experience opportunities and connect Eurovision with young talent from Switzerland’s creative industries.
The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 13, 15 and 17 May at the St.Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland.
Source: SRG SSR
Photo credit: SRG SSR
