Welcome to Zürich - Switzerland and to the 178th edition of the Forum Song Contest (FSC).
Theme: ‘Switzerland: A Celebration of Christmas’
Winner FSC November 2023
Congratulations! ^^
The Host city for this FSC #178-edition is Zürich - Switzerland , the largest city in Switzerland , &
the capital of the canton of Zürich. It is located in north-central Switzerland , at the northwestern
tip of Lake Zürich. The city has around 445.000 inhabitants , the urban area around 1.3 million, &
the Zürich metropolitan area around 1.8 million. Zürich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic
Permanently settled for over 2.000 years, Zürich was founded by the Romans, who called it Turic
um. However, early settlements have been found dating back more than 6.400 years (though this
only indicates human presence in the area and not the presence of a town that early) . During the
Middle Ages ( to ca 1500 ), Zürich gained independent & privileged status of imperial immediacy.
The earliest known form of the city's name , is Turicum, attested on a tombstone , of the late 2nd
century AD in the form STA(tio) TURICEN(sis) ("Turicum tax post") . The name is interpreted as a
derivation from a given name possibly the Gaulish personal name Tūros. From 9th century the na
me is established in Old High German form Zuri(c)h (857 Zurih , 924 Zurich curtem, 1416 Zürich).
Settlements of the Neolithic & Bronze Age were found around Lake Zürich . Traces of pre-Roman
Celtic, La Tène settlements were discovered near the Lindenhof a morainic hill dominating the SE
- NW waterway constituted by Lake Zurich and the river Limmat. In Roman times, during the conq
uest of the alpine region in 15 BC, the Romans built a castellum (a watchtower) on the Lindenhof.
Later here was erected Turicum (toponym of clear Celtic origin) , a tax-collecting point for goods
trafficked on the Limmat , which constituted part of a border between Gallia Belgica (from AD 90
Germania Superior) and Raetia. In the 5th century, the Germanic Alemanni tribe settled in the Sw
iss Plateau. The Roman castle stood until the 7th century , later replaced by a Carolingian castle.
Zürich gained Imperial immediacy (becoming an Imperial free city) in 1218 with the extinction of
the main line of the Zähringer family , and attained a status comparable to statehood. During the
1230s , a city wall was built , enclosing 38 hectares , when the earliest stone houses on the Renn
weg were built . Important , in the early 14th century , was the completion of the Manesse Codex
In 1351 , the citizens of Zürich , had to swear allegiance , before representatives of the cantons of
Lucerne, Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden, the other members of the Swiss Confederacy. Thus, Zürich
became the fifth member of the Confederacy , which was at that time a loose confederation of de
facto independent states. Zürich was the presiding canton & region of the Diet from 1468 to 1519
This authority was the executive council & lawmaking body of the confederacy , from the Middle
Ages until establishment of the Swiss federal state in 1848. Zwingli started the Swiss Protestant
Reformation when he was the main preacher in the 1520s, at the Grossmünster. The Zürich Bible
based on Zwingli's, was issued in 1531. The Reformation resulted in major changes in Zürich life.
‘Switzerland: A Celebration of Christmas’
‘Swiss Christmas traditions and customs’
The Swiss are fond of their Christmas traditions. Santa Claus ( Father Christmas ) arrives already
on 6th December for “ Samichlaus Abend ” - Santa Night. “Samichlaus” as he is known in Switzer
land, wears a hooded red cape and long robe, so he looks like an elderly version of Little Red Ridi
ng Hood. His arrival marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Unlike in other countries, Swi
ss Santa Claus comes with his helper - Schmutzli - dressed in black- and sometimes accompani
ed with a donkey to carry a heavy bag full of (not presents) chocolates, peanuts and mandarines
Who then brings Christmas presents to the children? Depending on where you live & the religion,
it is either Christkindli (literally “Christ Child”) in mostly Protestant German-speaking part of Swit
zerland, or it is Père Noël or the Weihnachtsmann, a close relation of Santa Claus, in Catholic We
stern part of Switzerland. To keep one of these important Swiss Christmas traditions on Christm
as Eve parents discreetly ring the bell to announce the arrival of Christkindli and take children to
the bedroom. When they get back to the living room, Christkindli has already left & has delivered
all the gifts under the Christmas tree which are waiting for the very expectant & excited children.
Advent calendars are an old and wide spread tradition in Switzerland because they help counting
days till Christmas . Advent calendars have 24 small numbered openings or boxes behind each a
gift. One gift is opened every day starting from 1 December to the 24. One of the other distinctive
Swiss Christmas traditions is Advent windows or (Adventsfenster) . In the village they decorate 1
of their window(s) with designs like angels or animals . A traditional Swiss Christmas decoration
is the Adventskranz or Advent wreath. One of the fascinating Swiss Christmas traditions is Räbel
iechtli. Children with help of their teachers & parents carve out lanterns (Räbeliechtli) from turnip
Then from around the end of November, they organize parades with the lanterns in hand, singing
through small towns and villages. In the cities, the start of the holiday season also signals the ret
urn of some magical Christmas markets (ref the popular Christmas market/celebration in Zürich)
The dazzling lights and delightful stores, are an ideal addition to the festive atmosphere , and are
usually the first sign that Christmas is near. Christmas trees are decorated , often in addition with
handcrafted ornaments like woodcarvings of mountain scenes, chocolate & other personal items
Christmas carols are sung. And delicious Swiss cookies like Zimtsterne and Chräbbeli are baked.
Christmas is a time for family and friends , to be together and enjoy peace & the Christmas spirit.
During the 16th & 17th centuries, the Council of Zürich adopted an isolationist attitude , resulting
in a second ring of imposing fortifications built in 1624. In 1648, Zürich proclaimed itself a repub
lic, shedding its former status of a free imperial city. The Helvetic Revolution of 1798 saw the fall
of the Ancien Régime (French political system). Zürich lost control of land & economic privileges
Extensive developments took place during the 19th century. From 1847, the first railway on Swiss
territory connected Zürich with Baden, putting the Zürich Hauptbahnhof at the origin of the Swiss
rail network. Zürich's Bahnhofstrasse was laid out in 1867 and the Zürich Stock Exchange was fo
unded in 1877 . Industrialisation led to migration into the cities - and - to rapid population growth.
The Quaianlagen (lake fronts) are an important milestone in the development of the modern city
of Zürich, which is situated about 30 km north of the Alps, nestling between the wooded hills on
the west & east side of Lake Zürich. The Old Town stretches on both sides of the Limmat, which
flows from the lake, running northwards at first & then gradually turning into a curve to the west.
Modern Zürich, combines urban living with nature . The city is abuzz with activity day & night with
its countless events, many museums & diverse gastronomic scene, as well as Switzerland’s most
vibrant nightlife. The Old Town can be found alongside the hip district and luxurious brands along
side trendy labels. Parks and laid-back bars can be found by the lake or river, restaurants & hotels
Zürich is one of the major finance centres in Europe and the most important industry by far in the
city is the service industry which employs ca 4/5 of its workers. The city is also known for its fest
ivals f.ex. the Zürich Festival ( Zuri Fascht ) hosted every 3 years, Caliente! (Europe’s largest Latin
festival), Alianz Cinema ( movie festival ), Street Parade ( huge techno parade ), & Zürich OpenAir.
Zürich has many churches & museums: Grossmünster church, Fraumünster church, St. Peter chu
rch, Predigerkirche. Zürich Museum of Art , Swiss National Museum , Rietberg Museum, Museum
of Design, Guild houses, and Tram Museum. 2 of Switzerland's top universities are located in Züri
ch: the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ( ETH Zürich, federal ) , and the University of Zurich.
City sights: Niederdorf & the Old Town, the Rathaus (Town Hall), Grossmünster (Zürich's principal
church, built between 11th & 13th centuries which dominates the city skyline with its twin towers)
Zürich Zoo , Zürich Christmas Markets with Light Festivals, Fraumünster church, Lake Zürich, Züri
ch Opera House, Üetliberg Mountain, & the Swiss National Museum. The city welcomes everyone
The Host venue for FSC #178 December 2023 is: the Stadion Letzigrund in Zürich , Switzerland.
It is a stadium , and has been the home of the football clubs FC Zürich, & Grasshopper Club Zür
ich. Originally built back in the 1920s, it also has track and field (for athletics). The stadium was
modernized and opened as a new stadium , in 2007 . The current capacity is 25.000 for football
events , 26.000 for athletics, & 50.000 for concerts of which frequent open air concerts take pla
ce yearly. Many famous pop/rock artists have held music concerts here at the stadium through
the years including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N' Roses, Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Mado
nna, and Taylor Swift . They are proud to host this evening’s edition of the Forum Song Contest.
Our wonderful Hosts this evening are:
Red Moon (Debrah Scarlett) , Marcel Ignacio Riera and Beatrice Egli
Red Moon or Debrah Scarlett is a Swiss-Norwegian singer and songwriter. Born in Switzerland to
Norwegian parents , she has lived in both countries . Though she has released music on her own
she is, perhaps, best known for having represented Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015
, along with Norwegian Mørland. She is proud to co-host this edition of the Forum Song Contest.
Marcel Ignacio Riera is a Spanish violinist and model based in Neuchâtel Switzerland. He is Mis
ter Global Switzerland . Aside from music , he also loves fashion, sports, dancing, travelling & co
oking . He graduated from the Conservatori Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona where he
received his training, as violinist . He is proud to co-host this edition of the Forum Song Contest.
Beatrice Egli is a Swiss pop and Schlager singer . She is the winner of season 10, of the German
music competition ‘ Deutschland sucht den Superstar ’. In 2007, she joined up with Lys Assia, of
ESC-fame (who won the 1st ESC in 1956) , & together they released an album . She has released
ten albums , through her career . She is proud to co-host this edition of the Forum Song Contest.
And we are now pleased to announce
The Opening Acts
Exclusive International Guest Appearances
Wham! (UK)
Doris Dragović (Croatia)
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’Last Christmas’
’Božić bez tebe’
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