Behind the scenes
What it takes to put on an event (the part the audience never sees)
When the audience walks in for a play or a concert, it all looks simple.
Lights, stage, emotion. But there is much more behind it.
An event does not start the day before — it starts months earlier. There are negotiations with the artists, picking and booking the venue, technical setup, flights, work permits, marketing campaigns, visuals.
And one question always sitting in the back of the mind: will enough people come? Will the tickets sell?
These days, having a good programme is not enough — you have to fight for your attention.
Social media, ads, newsletters, word of mouth — everything has to work together.
And in the end, it all comes down to one thing: did we capture and move the audience?
There were nights when the hall was not full. And there were nights when the energy was unbelievable.
Each of those nights is part of a one-of-a-kind process. Once you step into it, there is no going back.
And maybe most importantly: this is not work you do lightly — it is done with the whole heart, with no reservations.
So every time you buy a ticket, believe me, it means far more than you think.
— Evica
Our stories
The night when all of Zurich becomes a museum
Evica Marković3 September 2026There are places we walk past for years, always thinking: I will go in some other time. Zurich has many of them…
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The first day of school between two languages
Evica Marković27 August 2026At the end of August, a familiar moment happens in Zurich. The city's summer rhythm has not quite faded, the days are still long, the terraces full — and then, one Monday, new school bags appear at the tram stops, slightly too big for small backs, parents trying to look more relaxed than they feel, and children setting out for the first time on a path that will become completely ordinary to them in the years ahead…
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Why I come back to Theater Spektakel every summer
Evica Marković20 August 2026A few hours after the performance Multitud, I caught myself thinking only about the people I had met on my way to the theatre — about the families sitting on the grass by the lake, the children running between the food stalls, and the elderly couple who, holding hands, waited patiently for some other performance to begin. Maybe that is exactly why I come to Theater Spektakel every year…
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
HELSE is a Swiss cultural association that fosters exchange between Switzerland and Serbia. Through theatre, film, music, stand-up and children's workshops we build cultural bridges — alive, inspiring and open to everyone.
Our programme is diverse: theatre performances, film screenings, stand-up comedy, concerts, readings, seminars and children's workshops.
Events run year-round — the current schedule lives in the Events section.
Tickets are sold online via each event's page and, for some programmes, at the door before the show. HELSE members receive discounts on selected events.
Membership is open to anyone who wants to support the association. The annual fee is CHF 70, with reduced rates for students and pensioners.
Sign up via the Membership page — for any additional questions, write to info@helse.ch.