Zurich Salon

The Zurich Salon advocates freedom of expression and rational discussion in the Enlightenment tradition. It promotes open-ended debate in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

The Zurich Salon’s objective is to push the boundaries of public discussion and to widen our horizons. It exists to create a public space to explore contemporary issues critically and constructively.

Because audience participation is prized, opening remarks from speakers are kept short. Though occasionally the Salon will host lectures.

Depending on the speakers and topic, Salon discussions take place in either German or English.

Nothing is off-limits from politics and philosophy, to business and the arts. No contentious issue or difference of opinion is brushed under the carpet.

While the Zurich Salon embraces discussion on contentious issues, it trusts the audience to come to its own well-founded – most likely, conflicted – conclusions.

Salon-goers have a right to hold opinions and, arguably, a duty to express and defend them. The Salon’s ethos is that it is only through open debate that we come to know and develop our own opinions and to formulate informed judgments about the views of others.