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Contemporary Poetry from Switzerland

Reading
Talk
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© zaesur

Please note that the event is designed for a German- and French speaking audience.

When poetry in German, French, or Italian is discussed, Swiss poetry is often treated as a marginal phenomenon. Yet from a German perspective, it is remarkable how successfully multilingualism functions in Switzerland, both socially and politically.

Three poets from Switzerland will read from their work this evening and join Asmus Trautsch in a conversation on multilingualism, the relationship between Swiss poetry and the literary traditions of its neighboring countries, and the role of poetry criticism in Switzerland.

Nathalie Schmid (born 1974 in Aarau) explores questions of identity, belonging, and female self-determination in her poetry. Her most recent collection, Ein anderes Wort für einverstanden (Gans Verlag 2025), continues this engagement with personal and social forms of self-definition.

Thierry Raboud (born 1987 in Martigny) is a poet, literary critic, and jazz musician. His latest collection, Schiefage (verlag die brotsuppe, 2025), published in German translation by Yves Raeber, is a poetic cycle that reflects on the fragility of the present in an era shaped by the climate crisis.

Florian Bissig (born 1979 in Kilchberg) is a literary critic, translator, and poet. This year saw the publication of Spielen, was ist. Gedichte zu Coltrane (verlag die brotsuppe 2026), a collection inspired by the life and artistic development of the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane.

The evening takes place in the context of “Swiss Window”, an ongoing series on contemporary Swiss poetry published by zæsur. poesiekritik. Through a number of thematic dossiers, the project seeks to create a broad panorama of current poetic positions, aesthetic approaches, and literary debates in Switzerland.

Presented jointly by zæsur. poesiekritik and the Haus für Poesie. Supported by Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council.

The event will be interpreted between French and German. Kindly supported by ECHOO Conference Interpreting.

Reading & Conversation: Florian Bissig, Thierry Raboud, Nathalie Schmid
Moderator: Asmus Trautsch