6th Swiss Youth Eurythmy Festival – THE NUTCRACKER

E.T.A. Hoffmann’s imaginative fairy tale “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” is brought to life anew in this special stage adaptation. The story has been specially adapted for the 2026 Swiss Youth Eurythmy Festival and interwoven with selected movements from P. I. Tchaikovsky’s famous Nutcracker Suite.

At the heart of the story is young Marie, who discovers a mysterious world on Christmas Eve. Between reality and dream, a tale of courage, loyalty and inner transformation unfolds: The unassuming Nutcracker becomes a protector, the battle against the Mouse King begins – and Marie finds within herself the strength to stand up for what is right. Behind the seemingly playful façade, a deeper level emerges: the question of the nature of reality and fantasy.

This poetic world is brought to life through the art of eurythmy. The combination of movement, music and speech creates striking images that not only narrate the events but also make them visible. Music and movement intertwine to create a unique, vibrant form of expression.

The performance is brought to life by around 90 young people from across Switzerland, who have been preparing for several months and are bringing their work together into a joint stage production during an intensive project week. The performance will be accompanied live by the Crescendo Youth Symphony Orchestra.

The production is in German and is aimed at a wide audience – from families and art enthusiasts to people who wish to discover a new approach to music, movement and theatre.

An evening that touches on fantasy and reality and leaves open the question of what might lie hidden behind the visible.

Recommended for ages 7 and over.