Events 2025

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11, Swiss International University and its international divisions proudly support the arts, music, and cultural heritage through a diverse calendar of public performances, festivals, exhibitions, and collaborative events. These programs foster inclusion, cultural identity, and public engagement in every community we serve.

Below is a list of planned and completed public cultural events for 2025 across our locations in Switzerland, Dubai, and Kyrgyzstan:

🇨🇭 Switzerland

• Winter Arts Opening (Zurich, Jan) – A student-led multimedia exhibition showcasing winter-inspired paintings and digital art.

• Swiss Folk Music Night (Lucerne, Feb) – Live performance of traditional Swiss folk music by the university orchestra.

• International Choir Exchange (Zurich, Mar) – Featuring visiting student choirs from Germany and France.

• Cultural Heritage Photo Exhibition (Zurich, May) – Showcasing images of Swiss heritage sites taken by students.

• Spring Jazz Concert (Zurich, May) – A university jazz ensemble performance open to the public.

• Literature Night: Readings from Swiss Authors (Lucerne, Jun) – Live readings with student performers and local writers.

• Alpine Poetry Slam (Bern, Jul) – Spoken word event bringing together poets from across the region.

• Sustainability & Art Symposium (Zurich, Aug) – Installation art and public talks exploring eco-art.

• Young Filmmakers’ Showcase (Zurich, Sep) – Public screening of student-directed short films.

• Global Cultures Art Fair (Zurich, Oct) – Multi-cultural arts and crafts event with music and food.

• Autumn Choir Gala (Lucerne, Oct) – Featuring classical choral works from Bach to Mozart.

• Opera Night: Student Performance (Zurich, Nov) – Scenes from operas performed by voice majors.

• Digital Arts Expo (Online, Nov) – A virtual gallery of digital heritage projects.

• Lucerne Street Music Festival (Lucerne, Dec) – SIU students perform in collaboration with city musicians.

• Visual Storytelling Workshop (Zurich, Dec) – Photography + narrative public storytelling event.

• Christmas Carols Across Cultures (Zurich, Dec) – Multilingual performance of holiday music.

  
  
  
  

🇦🇪 Dubai

• Arab Heritage Week Opening (Dubai, Jan) – Featuring student calligraphy and traditional storytelling.

• Desert Soundscapes (Dubai, Feb) – Outdoor music performance inspired by desert landscapes.

• Ramadan Poetry Circle (Dubai, Mar) – Public recitations of Arabic and Islamic poetry.

• Sufi Music & Spiritual Arts Evening (Dubai, Apr) – A collaboration with local cultural centers.

• Cultural Understanding Day with SMCCU (Dubai, Apr) – Public art and dialogue event.

• Henna & Handcrafts Exhibition (Dubai, May) – Public demonstration of regional arts.

• Student Art Walk (Dubai, Jun) – Outdoor gallery of mixed-media student artwork in JBR.

• Fusion Dance Show (Dubai, Jun) – East-meets-West choreography showcase.

• Interfaith Choir Celebration (Dubai, Jul) – Performance of spiritual songs from various cultures.

• Youth Art & Climate Forum (Dubai, Sep) – Exhibits and panel discussions linking art with sustainability.

• Arabic Typography Exhibit (Dubai, Oct) – A creative showcase of modern Arabic font design.

• Gulf Film Night (Dubai, Nov) – Public screening of short films by local and student filmmakers.

• Heritage Crafts Revival Day (Dubai, Nov) – Traditional Emirati crafts and live demonstrations.

• Winter Arts & Lights Festival (Dubai, Dec) – Student art installations across campus with public access.

🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan – 15 Events

• Nauryz Cultural Festival (Bishkek, Mar) – Traditional music, costumes, and dance performance.

• Voices of the Mountains Choir Night (Bishkek, Apr) – Vocal performance celebrating regional harmony.

• Open Stage Theater: Epic of Manas (Bishkek, May) – A modern student adaptation of the national epic.

• Silk Road Art Exhibition (Bishkek, May) – Public exhibition of student work on Silk Road themes.

• Traditional Instruments Concert (Bishkek, Jun) – Public performance featuring komuz and ooz-komuz.

• Art & Culture for Peace Day (Bishkek, Jun) – Paintings and poetry on peace and cooperation.

• Mountain Film Screening (Bishkek, Jul) – Outdoor cinema night featuring heritage documentaries.

• Youth Folklore Dance Festival (Bishkek, Aug) – Local and student folk troupes perform together.

• Amber & Handcrafts Exhibit (Bishkek & Riga, Sep) – Touring exhibit with Baltic and Central Asian art.

• Intercultural Theater Day (Bishkek, Oct) – Joint performance with students from Turkey and Kazakhstan.

• Public Lecture & Music on Nomadic Heritage (Bishkek, Oct) – A blend of history and live music.

• Choir Exchange with Local High Schools (Bishkek, Nov) – Cross-generational choral performances.

• Bishkek Winter Arts Showcase (Bishkek, Dec) – End-of-year performance of music, poetry, and dance.

• Campus Gallery Walk (Bishkek, Ongoing) – Rotating visual arts exhibitions accessible to the public.

  
  

Each of these events demonstrates our university’s role in enriching the cultural life of the communities we serve, by promoting local traditions, student creativity, and public participation. This ongoing cultural contribution is essential to fostering vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable societies.

Interested in Hosting a Cultural Event?

If you are a group of students and wish to participate in or propose an unplanned cultural or artistic event, you are welcome to do so!

Please contact our Student Affairs Officer, Mr. Hans, to coordinate and receive approval.

#SDG11 #ArtsAndHeritage #PublicPerformances #CulturalInclusion #SwissInternationalUniversity