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# About Us

**ZURICH STORYTELLERS is a non-profit organization producing  live shows, workshops and events for our story loving community. Because we believe stories matter. They shape the way we perceive ourselves, our causes, what’s at stake and whether others will care.**

**ZST live events are an intimate high-energy evening of 5-minute stories by people who have a passion and the desire to share authentic true stories with their hometown crowd. The stage is open to everyone, but our (very cool) [JENSEITS](https://jenseitsimviadukt.ch/jenseits-im-viadukt) IM VIADUKT has limited seating - reserve yours now.**

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### OUR PURPOSE

Zurich Storyteller’s purpose is to foster human connection through the art and practice of storytelling. In a hyper-connected world marked by alienation and isolation, we believe true personal stories can spark empathy, strengthen community, and inspire meaningful change.

### **WHAT GOES DOWN?**

Our live event programmes typically feature an introductory warmup set, cold open by one of the co-hosts and our main attraction: the open-mic StorySLAM. The audience chooses Best Storyteller of the Night. Plus socializing before/after the show and intermission.

 

### WHAT’S A STORYSLAM?

The ZST StorySLAM is an open-mic storytelling competition. Anyone with a true story to share on the night’s theme is welcome. All stories must be 5 minutes or less and true, as recalled by the storyteller.

Our People

## Meet the team

![Maria\_B](https://zurichstorytellers.ch/hubfs/Maria_B.jpeg)

### Maria Barikhina

Co-Lead

![Joel](https://zurichstorytellers.ch/hubfs/Joel.jpg)

### Joel Blom

Co-Lead

Want to get involved?

## **Support the community and join the ZST association**

**Become a protagonist in our new Swiss non-profit Association. Since 2017, we’ve spotlighted close over 100 storytellers —witty, raw, surprising—transforming strangers into friends and co-conspirators. Now we need your voice.**

Why Become a Member?

Support our mission to build an inclusive storytelling community — welcoming Swiss locals, expats, and story lovers of all kinds.  
CHF 50/year includes:  
 - Help shape future events & vote on StorySLAM themes  
 - Get discounts on workshops, merch & resources  
 - Receive an invite to our year-end Story Celebration  
 - Enjoy voting rights at the annual General Assembly

[Become a member](https://zurichstorytellers.ch/membership?hsLang=en)

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Zurich Storytellers Association | Jenseits, Im Viadukt, Zurich | Non-profit | zurichstorytellers.ch | info@zurichstorytellers.ch

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