Grossmünster Talk: ‘Personal’ with Roger Schawinski

He has shaped the Swiss media landscape, broken down traditional structures and, for decades, asked the questions himself. Now Roger Schawinski is changing his perspective: in October 2026, the media pioneer will be a guest at the Grossmünster. In conversation with Pastor Christian Walti, he will discuss everything under the sun – and the life behind the public figure.

Roger Schawinski is one of the defining figures in Swiss media history. With Radio 24, he ushered in a new era of private broadcasting in Switzerland from 1979 onwards. He also became known to a wide audience as a journalist and talk show host. Time and again, Schawinski sought out debate, challenged the status quo and brought new issues to the public agenda. His career tells of a determination to push through unconventional ideas – and of the resistance that this can entail.

The conversation at the Grossmünster builds on these experiences. Reverend Christian Walti turns his attention to the person behind the famous name: to his experiences and decisions, his successes and setbacks, his convictions, doubts and turning points. What drives someone who, throughout his professional life, has initiated new ventures and never shied away from resistance? What changes as one gets older? Which experiences leave a lasting mark? And what does it mean for someone who has spent their life in the public eye to talk about issues that cannot be measured in terms of viewing figures, headlines or market share?

On 26 October, Roger Schawinski and Christian Walti – two personalities who are accustomed to listening closely, asking probing questions and engaging fully with their interlocutors – will come together. The evening therefore promises far more than a conventional media discussion: a personal conversation with depth and scope for surprising insights.