Poetry slam scene with new structures in Zurich
A new association, new structures under the label “Silbenschmid” and modernized processes – this is to make Zurich the Swiss slam metropolis. “Silbenschmid” announced this on Monday.
the essentials in brief
- Behind this new label are Lukas Hofstetter, Martin Otzenberger and Phibi Reichling.
The three of them organized the German-language poetry slam championships in Zurich in November 2018. According to its own statements, the festival was the “largest in the world”, with around 20,000 visitors and 300 poets.
The aim is to “continue to organize large events or festivals” with a local, national and international literary focus. For this purpose, the three responsible nuns join forces in a new association.
In addition to the already existing events for spoken literature, “Silbenschmid” will in future hold an international “Best of Poetry Slam” in the Volkshaus twice a year. The label also promises other new formats, such as themed slams, solo shows or an open air poetry festival in summer.
The goal is to promote the young generation, to advance the scene, to promote international exchange as a whole – and to reach an even larger audience, as the communication says.
The initiative is based on the fact that stage poetry or poetry slam has long since found its way out of its niche and has become one of the “most popular cultural and cabaret formats” of all. In the entire German-speaking area there are 4200 poetry slams annually with over 400,000 viewers, according to «Silbenschmid». Over 500 individual events take place in Switzerland every year.