Giovanni Netzer

The theologian, art historian and theatre scholar was born in the village of Savognin, near Riom, in the Swiss canton of Graubünden. After studying in Munich, he returned to his roots, going on to found and direct the Origen Theatre Festival in 2005 in Riom. “Origen” is Romanish for “origin”. Netzer’s stage works are characterised by cultic forms, experimental landscape theatre and the linguistic diversity of his homeland. Netzer has received numerous awards, including the Bündner Kulturpreis and the Hans Reinhart-Ring, the most prestigious theatre award in Switzerland. He plays a leading role in designing the spaces for the festival, working in close collaboration with architects, designers and engineers.

© Keystone/Gian Ehrenzeller