- 10-17 May 2025, daily 09:00-21:00
- Theatre Square Quarter
The ESC oasis of relaxation on the theatre square
Not far from the Eurovision Boulevard, Basel's largest outdoor living room will be created on the theatre square during the ESC. Under the open sky, an oversized sofa landscape made of colourful hay bales provides a balance to the many festivities surrounding the ESC. Here you can take a seat, let your legs dangle, drink tea and take a deep breath. 10-17 May 2025, daily 9 am - 9 pm.
In the heart of Basel's old town, the «POPup TEAclub» installation opens on Theaterplatz - an outdoor living room consisting of tea, urban greenery and huge colourful sofas made from straw bales. As a counterbalance to the many festivities of the ESC, the «POPup TEAclub» invites you to linger. In this refuge of relaxation, you can take a cosy seat on gigantic sofas made of straw. Due to their size, the colourful sofas take everyone back to their own childhood shoes. This transforms the theatre square into the perfect backdrop for the Basel souvenir photo. The programme is clear and unagitated: drink tea and take a break from the festivities. In this atmospheric retreat with no pressure to consume and with sustainable seating surrounded by natural greenery, people can socialise. The «POPup TEAclub» transforms the theatre square into a recreational space in the middle of a major urban event. Everyone is invited to recharge their batteries on the theatre square with a free cup of herbal tea in hand.
Sustainable collaboration
The intervention was developed by the Theaterplatz-Quartier association in cooperation with the Groenlandbasel design studio. The "Mobile Forest", an existing green installation by the Theaterplatz-Quartier association, is used to provide shade. The seating landscape consists of bales of straw wrapped in colourful silage film. The straw comes from local farmers and will be sustainably utilised after the ESC week. The fragrant tea blend with pineapple, lavender and coconut notes is sponsored by Chrüterhüsli Basel, while Theater Basel serves the tea exclusively and performatively. The Theaterplatz-Quartier association would like to thank the Christoph Merian Foundation and the Stadtbelebungsfonds for their support.
The Theaterplatz and its cultural institutions are like an oasis in the city of Basel. We are delighted when the ESC audience becomes aware of these riches and spends a few quiet hours on and around the theatre square.
Weatherproof cultural programme
In rainy weather, there is a stunning variety of alternative activities on offer adjacent to Theaterplatz. The rooms in the cine.foyer of the kult.kino atelier and the Foyer Public of the Theater Basel offer a place to retreat. An exquisite film programme can be found at both kult.kino atelier and Stadtkino Basel. The S AM - Swiss Architecture Museum Basel and the Basel Historical Museum host appealing exhibitions. Letters are brought to life at the Literaturhaus Basel. Concerts can be heard at the Stadtcasino Basel. Whether opera, ballet or drama - you will find what you are looking for at the three-genre Theater Basel. The Elisabethen Open Church provides physical and spiritual salvation with programmes ranging from celebration to mindfulness.
Theaterplatz-Quartier
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