When I first read Der Zauberberg, I was fascinated by Thomas Mann’s ability to turn a sanatorium into a philosophical microcosm. Years later, working at ETH Zurich, I discovered a lesser-known chapter of his life—one that links his literary legacy directly to our campus.

To mark his 150th birthday, the Thomas Mann Archive of the ETH Library has launched a special anniversary initiative that brings to life the Nobel Prize-winning writer’s connection to ETH Zurich and Switzerland. It’s a celebration that goes beyond the literary world, asking questions about exile, democracy, science, and the human condition—topics that remain relevant today.

Thomas Mann and ETH Zurich

After fleeing Nazi Germany, Mann found refuge in Switzerland between 1933 and 1938, and again from 1952 to 1955, and became an important intellectual voice in exile. During this time, he gave several lectures in Zurich. These weren’t merely public lectures — they were powerful calls to reflect on the moral responsibilities of science, culture, and society.

The new anniversary platform curated by the network Thomas Mann International offers insights into these moments. It features a digital collection of photographs, letters, manuscripts, and audio recordings that document Mann’s appearances at ETH and beyond.

From Archive to Experience: Join the Tours

Due to popular demand, additional dates have been added in April, May, and June 2025. The tours are available in German and offer a unique opportunity to experience Zurich through the eyes of a literary exile and public intellectual.

What makes this anniversary so engaging is its ability to blend archival depth with lived experience. The Thomas Mann Archive is offering a series of guided tours retracing Thomas Mann’s footsteps in Zurich. These tours explore the permanent exhibition in the ETH main building and tell you more about Thomas Mann’s life as a citizen, artistic, critic, exile and family man.

Literature Meets Science

Mann believed in the power of dialogue between science and the humanities. His engagement with ETH Zurich wasn’t accidental—it reflected his belief that technical progress must be paired with ethical reflection. In many ways, this mirrors ETH’s mission today: bringing disciplines together to address society’s greatest challenges.

For students, researchers, and visitors alike, the 150th anniversary is an invitation to reflect—not just on Thomas Mann, but on how stories shape our understanding of history, identity, and responsibility. As someone working at the intersection of communication and outreach, I find inspiration in Mann’s ability to ask big questions in complex times.

Whether you’re a longtime admirer or just discovering his work, now is the perfect moment to explore this unique facet of ETH’s history.

The Thomas Mann Archive

Explore the anniversary platform

Sign up for a guided tour

On a crisp morning in Berne, the Sustainable Switzerland Forum 2024 kicked off, bringing together people from business, science, and government to discuss sustainability. This event is one of Switzerland’s top gatherings focused on sustainability, aiming to inspire ideas, foster connections, and drive action. This year, the main goal was clear: to help move toward a more sustainable and future-ready economy.

As someone who cares deeply about sustainability, I was thrilled to help organize the thematic stream on biodiversity—a topic that is very important to me. The day was filled with engaging discussions, inspiring talks, and a strong sense of community among those working towards a sustainable future.

My day started early as I made sure everything was set for the biodiversity session. The room buzzed with energy as people arrived, eager to learn about the vital role of biodiversity in our world. The session began with two insightful presentations by Kristy Deiner from ETH Zurich and Simon Zadek from NatureFinance. They laid the groundwork for a deep dive into why biodiversity matters for sustainability.

Kristy shared a powerful reminder of how all life is interconnected and how critical it is to protect our ecosystems. She stressed that the loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue but a real threat to human life. Simon then connected biodiversity to financial systems, showing why we need to consider nature in our economic decisions. His talk really made the audience think about how we value the natural world.

The following panel discussion brought together Kristy, Simon, and Judson Berkey from UBS. Their conversation highlighted how different sectors—science, finance, and business—can work together to protect biodiversity. Judson explained how financial institutions can drive change by investing in projects that support biodiversity and sustainable development.

As I listened, it became clear to me that biodiversity isn’t just one issue among many; it’s linked to everything—from the food we eat to the air we breathe, and even the financial systems we depend on. The discussion wasn’t just theory; it was a call to action, urging each of us to do our part in protecting the planet.

The session wrapped up with a lively Q&A, where the audience’s questions , but also concerns showed just how engaged and committed everyone was.

Outside of the sessions, there was also plenty to see and do at the Forum. One standout was the CYBATHLON stand, where visitors could try their hand at the BCI (Brain-Computer Interface) game. The game was a big hit, with a total of 80 people trying it out—a clear sign that there’s a lot of interest in how technology and sustainability can intersect in exciting ways and support people with disabilities in their everyday lives by using assistive technologies.

I left the Forum feeling inspired and hopeful, with a renewed sense of purpose. The day reminded me that while the challenges are big, we have the collective will and knowledge to overcome them.

​​The 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global roadmap for creating a more peaceful and just world by 2030. These goals unite all UN member states in addressing pressing challenges, blending poverty reduction and sustainable development into a single, comprehensive agenda. 

But often, the SDGs are viewed as being too abstract and theoretical. It’s not the shortage of knowledge that poses a threat to sustainable development; instead, it’s the shortfall in taking meaningful actions.

The exhibition

The “Open Your Eyes” festival aims to portray each SDG in a way that is understandable to the public while creating a sense of urgency and action. The exhibition comprises 17 “theme islands” – one for each SDG. For each island, one to three photographers present their work corresponding to the issue addressed by the SDG. For example, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) features the series “Plastic Predicament” by Randy Olson. Plastic waste, once convenient, now overwhelms the planet, with humans ingesting microplastics equivalent to a credit card’s size each week. Randy’s photographs were taken in developing countries such as Bangladesh, where mismanaged plastic waste reaches 80 percent and people are often forced to live on a plastic layer.

The role of ETH Zürich

While the photographs are meant to capture and move the audience, their task isn’t to provide guidance for action. ETH Zürich was selected as scientific partner of the exhibition to provide concrete action-oriented examples of research, projects, initiatives, and spin-offs that are contributing towards the SDG. In the example of SDG 6, the spin-off Oxyle is portrayed, a universal treatment for removing micropollutants from water. As project team members involved in the preparations of the very first Open Your Eyes exhibition, we have diligently endeavored to ignite the flame of hope and to illuminate the pathways toward potential progress. We have also strived to elucidate the tools at our disposal, enabling us to achieve our aspirations related with the SDGs. ETH Zürich is therefore providing tangible solutions that strive to overcome obstacles in the way of sustainable development.

The visitor experience

Working at the General-Guisan-Quai visitor center, we have a unique opportunity to connect with visitors. Many are both captivated and troubled by the pressing challenges our world faces, often feeling overwhelmed by the images they encounter. The contrast between Gerd Ludwig’s work The Long Shadow of Chernobyl” and Jérôme Gence’s “I Love a Hologram”, both exhibitions are located next to the center, amplifies the global spectrum of human realities and leaves an especially deep mark and a certain confusion on many. Let us draw motivation from our growing awareness of the world’s challenges, dedicating our professional and personal resources and time to address these immense issues. We each constitute a vital part within the intricate machinery of our society, contributing our part to the solution. This thought-provoking exhibition echoes its motto: Stop. Think. Feel. Act.

This remarkable event is shown in Zurich as an open-​air exhibition from September 8th to October 15th, 2023. More information can be found here. All ETH Zürich contributions can be found here.

Swissloop was one of 20 teams that sent their concepts and prototypes into the European Hyperloop Week race. Their laboratory and workshop are located in the Innovation Park in Dübendorf. Swissloop offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience during their studies. This year, ETH mechanical engineering student Louis Chambre was jointly responsible for the construction of the pod as Operations Lead. Electrical engineering student Lina De Windt was as Focusstudent responsible for the power electronics.

For the next edition of the European Hyperloop Week, which will take place from 15-21 July 2024 in Zurich, ETH electrical engineering student Lina De Windt will lead the team and Louis Chambre will be Executive Director of the EHW.