Helvetiaplatz (Zurich)
The Helvetiaplatz (lit. 'Helvetia square') is a public square located in Aussersihl (district 4) at the corner of Langstrasse and Stauffacherstrasse in Zurich. The square is known for frequently hosting a variety of demonstrations, both officially authorized and not, such as protests for 1 May (Labour Day), on environmental issues, and on geopolitical issues.[1][2][3][4] Celebrations of the local football club FC Zürich also regularly take place at Helvetiaplatz.[1][5]
Helvetiaplatz hosts a farmers' market every Tuesday and Friday morning between 6:00 and 11:00. In addition to local produce, a variety of imported products are sold as well.[6][7]
Adjacent to the square is the Amtshaus Helvetiaplatz, a government building that houses the social welfare office for districts 3, 4, and 5 of Zurich. The historic building was originally constructed in 1963 and renovated from 2016 to 2019.[8][9][10]
The first project of pastor Ernst Sieber's Sozialwerke Pfarrer Sieber for homeless people started at Helvetiaplatz in winter 1963; the foundation is still based in Zürich-Aussersihl. The place is well known because of demonstrations on 1 May and against the World Economic Forum. Otherwise peaceful and multicultural events or demonstrations take place there. In 2006 and 2007 there was a great champion celebration after FC Zürich won the Swiss Axpo Super League.
Directly at the Helvetiaplatz you can find the Volkshaus where there are regular events such as concerts or parties. Next to the Helvetiaplatz is the Kanzleiareal with a schoolhouse, the cultural centre called Kanzlei and the alternative cinema and bar named Xenix.
Events
- Langstrassenfest
The Langstrassenfest (lit. 'Longstreet Festival') is an important part of the Langstrasse PLUS campaign. It takes place since 1996 every two years. In 2004, it counted about 270,000 visitors. In the years without a Langstrassenfest, the Longstreet Carneval takes place. The Langstrassenfest is organised by Swiss citizens.
- Longstreet Carneval
Every other year when there is no Langstrassenfest, the Longstreet Carneval takes place. This carnival is organised by non–Swiss citizens.
- Caliente
The Caliente Festival is the biggest Latin Festival all over Europe. It counted over 130,000 visitors in 2006.
- Open-Air-Cinema
Every summer in July and August there is an open air cinema at the cinema/bar Xenix near the Helvetiaplatz.
References
- ^ a b Camenzind, Oliver; Heusser, Isabel; Schoop, Florian (2 May 2022). "1. Mai in Zürich: Polizei-Grosseinsatz bei Nachdemonstrationen". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "«Refill-Bankett» - Wiederverwenden statt wegwerfen". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in Swiss High German). 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Zürich Schaffhausen - Kurden protestieren in Zürich gegen «Erdogan-Diktatur»". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Rund 1000 Menschen bekunden in Zürich Solidarität mit der Ukraine". SWI swissinfo (in Swiss High German). Keystone SDA. 24 February 2026. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Schweizer Cup - FCZ-Fans feiern ihren Cupsieger". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in Swiss High German). 21 April 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Blumen- und Gemüsemarkt Helvetiaplatz". www.zuerich.com (in German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ Kolberg, Steffen (5 October 2021). "Was ist lokal produziert, was nicht? Ein Rundgang auf dem Markt beim Helvetiaplatz". Tsüri (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Amtshaus Helvetiaplatz, Molkenstrasse 5-9". www.stadt-zuerich.ch (in Swiss High German). Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "In neuem Glanz - Das schwebende Amtshaus von Zürich". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 29 January 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2026.
- ^ "Zürich Schaffhausen - Ein neues Café für ein altes Amtshaus". Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen (SRF) (in German). 6 October 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2026.