23 reasons why 2023 should be a good year

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrates its 75th anniversary. It was adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1948. The first article reads: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”—regardless of race, sex, or religion.

Switzerland once again deserves its reputation as an island: the local economy continues to grow at a snail’s pace, but nonetheless, as the world enters a recession. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects the Swiss economy to grow by one percent next year.

Not a little tired, not a little quiet: Original punk rocker Iggy Pop (75) will release her new album “Every Loser” on January 6. Pop promises: “The music will kick your ass.” Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan (58) and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith (61) are also featured on the album. Rock’n’roll! Metallica’s former rockers also announced a new album for April.

After the Queen’s death “annus horribilis”, allegations of racism, expressions of dissatisfaction in various Commonwealth countries, and the monarchy’s historical decline in popularity, the climax for all royalists comes on May 6: the ceremonial coronation of the new kingdom, King Charles III. (74) in London. In any case, it will be Charles III. better than his predecessor Charles I (1600-1649): he was a bad tyrant and was beheaded.

Good news, at least for those who earn more. When it comes to direct federal tax, third parties can claim higher deductions for childcare, up to CHF 25,000 per child. This is more than double, previously only 10,100 francs per child.

German virologist Christian Drosten (50) told German “Tagesspiegel”: “I think the epidemic is over.” With this sentence, he explains the conclusion that the “first endemic wave” is currently happening. Meanwhile, SonntagsBlick announced P-ende-mie on February 6, 2022.

After the somewhat negative bridge days of recent years, things will definitely get better in 2023. Only a few public holidays fall on a weekend, so there’s a little more leeway when it comes to vacation planning.

Toni Brunner (48), a Sunni from Toggenburg, did not dare to enter the Bundesrat race. Albert Rösti (55) and the SVP now have genuine sympathizers in the provincial government.

With the first female Federal Councilor from Jura, the Confederation also succeeds in finally integrating the canton, which was founded in 1979. Instead of the rather strict social democrat Simonetta Sommaruga (62), the accessible Jurassic Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (59) is now in the Federal Council.

According to the WHO, more than 600,000 people died from malaria last year. An mRNA vaccine developed by the German company Biontech is said to help fight the infectious disease. The first clinical tests will begin shortly.

The big party is following the pandemic. For example, in Basel the port festival in Kleinhüningen is celebrated (June 2-4). Around 2.5 million people are expected to attend the Züri Fäscht (7-9 July) in Zurich. Badenfahrt’s 100th anniversary celebrations (18-28 August) continue in Baden AG.

Another World Cup in 2023? Yes, it’s the ninth women’s World Cup in which Switzerland has also qualified. They play against teams from New Zealand, Norway and the Philippines. The World Cup will be held from 20 July to 20 August in Australia and New Zealand. (There’s more on this in sports.)

The first festival in Bern’s local mountain took place in 1977, but still under the name of the International Folk Festival Bern-Gurten and with the lead actor Ralph McTell (78). Until 1987, two issues were canceled every two years due to corona. The birthday celebration in 2023 and therefore the 40th anniversary is also mathematically significant. Somehow.

The neo-noir thriller titled “Early Birds” is the first Netflix co-production in Switzerland. Filming for the movie directed by Michael Steiner (53) and starring Anatole Taubman (52) began in Zurich in early December. “Early Birds” should also be shown in cinemas in Switzerland.

In 2020, Swiss climate seniors filed a lawsuit against Switzerland at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). They accuse her of doing little to protect older women from the climate crisis. In 2023, the ECtHR will examine the case: From 29 March, a public hearing will be held in Strasbourg.

“How are you?” campaign Pro Mente Sana foundation raises awareness about mental health. He proposes slightly different resolutions for 2023: saying no when things get too much, daring to accept help, or hugging someone every week.

After the huge success of Kim de l’Horizon (30), a Swiss book this year may also be an international sensation. “The Wizard in the Kremlin” is a novel by Swiss-Italian Giuliano da Empoli (49) based on real people and real events. The work has already sold more than 300,000 copies in France.

How is dark matter distributed in the universe, or how did the universe expand? The Euclidean space telescope is scheduled to launch in 2023 to answer questions like this. For six years he will explore space and search more than a third of the entire sky. (There’s more on that in the magazine.)

13 races, 39 medals in total: The Alpine Skiing World Championships will be held in France in 2023 and will be hosted by Courchevel and Méribel. And Switzerland has a few trump cards: Above all, ski enthusiast Marco Odermatt (25), who is vying for a medal in three disciplines. (There’s more on this in sports.)

With immediate effect, cantons need to plan and implement more cycle path networks. The federal government should also create bike lanes along its streets. In addition, the procedure for introducing 30 km/h speed and rally zones will be simplified.

2023 is the election year! What it means: Citizens can breathe new life into Parliament and vote on politicians who have been disappointed in the past four years. The starting position is exciting, given the historic changes in 2019.

The year 2023 is the first year in the 21st century that there has been no parliamentary or presidential elections in a G7 country, that is, a group of large industrial countries. From a global perspective, this could result in politicians acting a little less nervously.

An exhibition of works by Joan Miró (1893–1983) will open at the Zentrum Paul Klee in Bern on 28 January. The Catalan painter’s paintings are known for their vibrant colours, bold forms and intricate compositions – the exhibition in Bern promises a feast for the eyes.