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SUISA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023

SUISA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023
The feast is set (including birthday cake): SUISA celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023.
Photo: Giorgio Tebaldi
Text by Regula Obi
On 22 June 1923, the first Swiss collecting society, MECHANLIZENZ, was founded in Bern. One year later, Swiss composers founded GEFA, which has been called SUISA since 1942. In 1982, the two companies merged. Thus, we will celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2023. Planning for a colourful bouquet of anniversary activities and events is in place. Preparations are already in full swing.

In just a few weeks, 2023 will begin, a special year for SUISA. For 100 years, it has been working towards a fair payment for authors and publishers of music. Throughout this period, it has adapted to major social and technical changes. In the anniversary year, we want to reflect on, appreciate and also celebrate this in a number of ways. So here is a little preview of the most relevant activities and events we are planning: Just to let you know, this is not all!

“SUISA 100” centennial logo

A logo created especially for the centennial will accompany our appearance next year. We are proud of our 100th anniversary, hence simply “SUISA100”. On special printed materials, a colourful graphic “soundwave” also complements the logo, whose colour scheme is derived from the variegated design of the new SUISA website.

Illustrated book about 100 years of Swiss music and SUISA

Since 1923, we have been working to ensure that the value of musical creation is recognised and fairly rewarded in Switzerland and around the world. We think this is worth a book. With an attractive bilingual illustrated book we hope to arouse emotions and let you take an interesting look back at the Swiss music highlights of the last 100 years.

In evocative photos, we show well-known and less well-known people who composed and wrote outstanding works, in the historical context within musical eras. Ploughing through historical archives and in our own archives was very interesting and the fund is huge.

Short film series with explanatory effect

Even after 100 years, there is still a need to explain what SUISA does and what it stands for. With a six-part short film series, we show SUISA’s functions and activities as if taken from real life: Louis, the protagonist of the films, is the operator of a hairdressing salon who does not want to see why SUISA sends him an annual invoice for playing background music. The story follows him through everyday life, where he constantly encounters aspects of copyright and gradually learns why SUISA is important and that it is “e gueti Sach” (a really good thing). The film scenes were shot by Maybaum Film between August and October 2022 and are currently in post-production. Starting in March 2023, the six episodes will be available to watch online and on social media.

Microsite “100 years of SUISA”

For the anniversary year, a “SUISA-100” microsite will be created, where we feature extraordinary events and anniversary campaigns, which will be continuously added on to throughout the year. It also provides an opportunity to take a closer look at particularly interesting topics that we have come across as a result of our research.

On top of some music stories from Swiss musicians and from SUISA’s history, the website also offers the possibility to submit greetings and messages, playful things, some fun facts and a contest.

SUISA Serenade at the Murten Classics Festival

Invited parliamentarians can look forward to a unique, classical concert evening. As part of the Murten Classics summer festival, we invite them to the SUISA Serenade in the unique atmosphere of Murten Castle Courtyard on 27 August 2023. The concert evening will focus on four world premières by young Swiss composers, composed especially for this serenade. The young composers will introduce their works with descriptions of the process of creation. Works by Arcangelo Corelli and Ernest Bloch will provide the framework for the premières.

General Assembly with Ceremony on 23 June 2023

The Annual General Meeting of the Cooperative Society will be larger and more festive on the occasion of the special anniversary. On Friday, 23 June 2023, a special anniversary AGM will be held in Zurich, followed by a festivity. Details are still being planned and will be announced later.

We look forward to celebrating SUISA’s centennial together with you.

www.suisa100.ch

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