Bringing the year to a close

ETH members toasted the past year at the Executive Board's traditional Christmas Reception. In his speech, President Joël Mesot referred to various records that we as ETH have achieved in 2023.

15.12.2023

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ETH Zentrum entrance hall full of people, a disco ball hangs from the ceiling. — The beautifully illuminated main hall at the 2023 Executive Board Christmas reception. (Photograph: ETH Zurich / Alessandro della Bella)

Around 1500 members of ETH gathered in the main building on Thursday, 14 December 2023 for this year's Christmas Reception hosted by the Executive Board. They were greeted by ETH President Joël Mesot in the festively lit main hall. In his short speech, he thanked everyone for their great commitment to and for ETH. Under the motto "We are breaking all records", he spoke about four highlights that have particularly characterised ETH this year: The appointment of Thomas Zurbuchen as head of ETH Zurich Space, the launch of the green energy coalition, the new partnership between ETH and the UN, as well as the donation from the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, which will enable around 20 professorships to be gradually established in Zurich and Heilbronn over the next 30 years.

Mesot expressed special thanks to Barbara Haering. The ETH alumna is a long-standing member of the ETH Board and has been its Vice President since January 2021. She will step down at the end of the year. Mesot paid tribute to her commitment to Switzerland as a centre of education and research.

Music by Rislane and the Lovers

Afterwards, the group Rislane and the Lovers performed some of their songs, creating a festive atmosphere. Rislane El Harat is not only a musician, but also works at the Multi-Scale Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich. In addition to their own compositions such as "How Can I Succeed" and "Feeling Blue Tonight", the band concluded with the well-known Christmas song "Santa Baby" by Eartha Kitt, giving the Reception a Christmassy touch.

Apéro Riche with Swiss cuisine and lively exchange

The buffets offered various dishes under the motto of Swiss cuisine. From pasta (“Hörnli”) with minced meat to a wintery chestnut soup, the SV Service offered something for all tastes. Those present did not need to be asked twice and chatted over their meal, toasted to joint successes and projects, and enjoyed the festive atmosphere in the ETH main building.

Impressions of the Christmas aperitif 2023

Festive atmosphere in the main hall of the historic ETH building. (All photographs: ETH Zurich / Alessandro della Bella) ETH President Joël Mesot spoke about various highlights of the past year. He also paid tribute to long-standing ETH Board member Barbara Haering. Rislane and the Lovers performed some of their songs and created a festive atmosphere. DJ Tom Helweg provided the background music for the evening. Advent atmosphere also at the buffet. During the Reception, ETH members took the opportunity to network. Christmas jumpers were also to be found among the guests this year. The guests also spread out in the neighbouring yards. The disco ball and lighting bathed the main building in a festive atmosphere.

Highlights from the past year

In addition to the records mentioned by Joël Mesot, ETH members have been setting many more highlights in 2023 – see for yourself in our review of the year:

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