Chalet Muri Talk
The most exclusive gatherings between economics, politics,
science and culture.
«Dialogue on equal terms.
A unique spirit.»
For forty years, Chalet Muri Talks has been one of the most influential networks in Switzerland for leadership, interdisciplinary exchange, and international cooperation.
«The new nature
of business.»
André Hoffmann at the Chalet Muri Talk with Claudio Righetti
«Where meaningful voices
are heard and inspiring encounters are made.»
A strong Network
The Chalet Muri Talks have a tradition spanning nearly forty years.
These refined cocktail receptions, lunches and dinners focus on fostering close personal relationships and facilitating meaningful conversations. All of this takes place in an exclusive, relaxed setting.
The Chalet Muri Talks provide the perfect environment for relationship building and bilateral discussions. Guests regularly include high-ranking diplomats and influential representatives of international organisations.
A Chalet Muri Talk is not an interview, but rather an open dialogue featuring interactive discussion. It lasts a maximum of one hour and is followed by a cocktail reception.
The Chalet Muri Talks are a private event. Participation is by personal invitation only.
Exclusive and personal.
The Chalet Muri Talks offer a unique blend of creativity, informality and exclusivity. Providing an unforgettable experience, they occupy a special place in Switzerland.
They are organised with a deep understanding of guests’ individual needs. This includes discreet attention to all security-related aspects.
The Chalet Muri Talks take place at regular intervals in Switzerland and abroad. As part of these events, the 'Swiss Cultural Dialogue Peace Prize' is awarded annually.
Various other partnership initiatives and activities are also in place.
One format. Multiple locations.
The event series originated at Chalet Muri in Bern.
Forty years ago, creative entrepreneur Claudio Righetti launched the 'Chalet Muri Talks' to bring leading figures from various fields together in Switzerland's capital, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration in an increasingly fast-paced world.
From the very beginning, the focus has been on open dialogue and the exchange of knowledge and ideas on an equal footing with all guests in an exclusive, creative, and relaxed setting.
Since then, the format has been continuously refined.
Today, the Chalet Muri Talks are among the most sought-after venues for intellectual and cultural exchange in Switzerland. They regularly take place in Zurich (Villa zum Mythenstein), Basel (Kulturstiftung H. Geiger), and most recently, Geneva.
The first international locations to be added are Milan (autumn 2026) and Monaco (spring 2027).
The legend of the most famous radiator in Switzerland.
«Where can you find Switzerland's most famous radiator?»
Much like the Speaker's Corner in London's Hyde Park, where anyone can voice their views without prior registration, this radiator at Chalet Muri stands for an open and tolerant dialogue.
This tradition was established by Federal Councillor Pierre Aubert (1927–2016), when he spontaneously stepped up onto the radiator to deliver his address. To this day, the tradition lives on — for example in 2017 when Ignazio Cassis, the current Swiss Foreign Minister, hold his speech on top of the famous raditor.
Image below: L'Illustré 11/2017 — «The Radiator — or how a simple heating device suddenly makes history.»
Dialogue and cooperation.
Democracy and freedom are realised through cultural dialogue.
At a time when populist divisions are putting pressure on free thinking, the Chalet Muri Talks promote a united and free voice for reasoned, tolerant and respectful dialogue.
Grounded in liberal values and democratic principles, the talks promote dynamic exchange and trust-based collaboration between politics, business, science and culture.
As a long-standing global initiative, the Chalet Muri Talks set an example for a positive future in a cosmopolitan and tolerant society. With their unique impact, the talks invigorate national dialogue in Switzerland and foster international relations.
01
Space for ideas
The Chalet Muri Talks offer a wide range of discussions and topics that focus on 'forward-looking leadership' for sustainable economic and political development.
Debates with former Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Dr. Christoph Blocher on Switzerland's neutrality, and with André Hoffmann, Vice President of Roche and Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum's Presidium, on the new nature of doing business and how companies can create added value for all, were particularly well received.
Both discussions focused on innovation and collaboration between businesses, governments, and civil society in addressing global challenges and changes — a key theme of the Chalet Muri Talks.
Image below: Former Federal Councillors Micheline Calmy-Rey and Dr. Christoph Blocher debate Swiss neutrality in Chalet Muri.
02
Cultural freedom
At the Chalet Muri Talks, topics of wide-ranging cultural and social relevance are explored in depth.
At the forefront is the free expression of traditions and ways of life, free from prejudice.
An inspiring insight was provided by Igor Ustinov, multi-talented creative visionary and Chairman of the Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation in Frankfurt.
Under the theme «The Ustinov DNA in the 21st Century: Inspiration for Innovation and Creative Change», he illustrated the fascinating philanthropic philosophy and the diverse cultural legacy of his world-famous, cosmopolitan family dynasty.
Culture is what makes us truly human. Art and science, research and teaching are free — and must remain so.
Image below from left to right: Ali Taşbaşı, Member of Board of Directors of the Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation, Igor Ustinov, Francis Clivaz, Founder of Collège du Léman
03
Dialogue for Peace
«What potential do religions have to promote peace in the Middle East and worldwide?»
The interreligious «Middle East Peace Talk» on December 4, 2023, took place just weeks after the horrific attack on Israel. At Chalet Muri, cultural dialogue served as a bridge between faiths. Humanity was given a voice, and solidarity was at the heart of the gathering.
The discussion brought together Dr. Jehoschua Ahrens, Rabbi of the Jewish Community of Bern; Imam Muris Begovic, Managing Director of Muslim Pastoral Care Zurich; and Heinz Bichsel, former clergyman and head of ecumenical migration at the Reformed Churches of Bern-Jura-Solothurn, with a particular focus on Israel-Palestine (pictured below).
Also present were the Israeli Ambassador to Switzerland, H.E. Ifat Reshef, and Ambassador Johannes Matyassy, President of the House of Religions Bern.
Swiss Cultural Dialogue Peace Prize
With its cultural diversity and multiple national languages, Switzerland stands as a shining symbol of intercultural dialogue and a vibrant democracy rooted in peace and personal responsibility.
Our social and political values and institutions are founded on a culture of consensus, championing freedom of expression, pluralism and individual liberty. The Swiss Cultural Dialogue Peace Prize draws from these same values. It highlights the importance of intercultural cooperation for a free and forward-looking society.
Each year, the prize honours an individual or institution whose open-mindedness has made an exceptional contribution to cultural dialogue. The recipients embody the spirit of an enlightened society, having left a lasting mark through their dedication to dialogue, peace and intercultural understanding.
The prize aims to inspire people to cultivate dialogue and pursue new initiatives that foster cooperation and mutual understanding in an increasingly polarised world.
The first award ceremony will take place in Bern in autumn 2026.
«The dialogue between cultures is the most important prerequisite for peace. Only when we understand the music and the thoughts of the others, do we learn to appreciate them.»
Lord Yehudi Menuhin (1916 - 1999)
Chalet Muri Circle
The Chalet Muri Talks bring together individuals committed to a shared vision, who value open dialogue and equal exchange.
They are united by their curiosity to learn about other perspectives, engage in dialogue with influential figures from various fields in a safe environment, and gain new inspiration and find partners for new ideas.
Speakers at a Chalet Muri Talk help curate the event, thereby shaping the character of this unique format, which has existed for almost forty years.
This continuity, and above all this independence, would not have been possible without the Chalet Muri Circle and our partners. They have supported and accompanied the format for many years with exceptional dedication and attention.
For this, they deserve our sincere thanks. The Chalet Muri Circle is part of a cosmopolitan and influential community that represents, supports and carries our work forward into the future.
If you would like to share an idea or meet us in person, we look forward to hearing from you.
Partner:
Founder and Host
Claudio L. Righetti is the founder and Managing Owner of Righetti & Partner GmbH – The Creative Management Company. He works internationally as a creative entrepreneur and brand strategist. He began his career in his youth as the "youngest gallerist in Switzerland», as well as an art mediator and organiser of cultural events.
Through his wide-ranging advisory work for personalities, companies and institutions, he has built an extensive breadth of experience and an inspiring network of thought leaders from business, culture, politics and diplomacy. Since 1999, he has been the manager of Swiss Hollywood actress Ursula Andress, who captivated the film world as the first Bond Girl in «Dr. No».
He is the host of the "Chalet Muri Talks», an event series he founded around the themes of leadership and creativity, which he organises in Bern and other cities with international guests.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sir Peter Ustinov Foundation in Frankfurt am Main, as well as of the Advisory Board of the «Fondation Sonja Knapp» in Graubünden. As a centrist politician and member of the Bern City Council from 2021–2024, he advocates for a liberal, culturally and economically progressive Swiss capital.
Claudio Righetti is a passionate networker and art collector: A profile from the Sonntags Blick. Further media reports can be found at this link: righetti-partner.com/medienspiegel
The format of the "Chalet Muri Talks" grew organically from the cultural activities of its founder.
What began as a private initiative has, over the years, established itself as a valued gathering place for intellectual and cultural exchange in Switzerland.
Perspectives
A central vision of the Chalet Muri Talks is to promote dialogue and Switzerland's democratic values, and to make them accessible to a broad international audience.
In this spirit, we will launch the first World Culture Summit in Bern in autumn 2027. This international summit is designed to serve as an inspiration for engaging with one another respectfully and openly, and for working together in the shared interest of the global community towards peace, freedom, development and sustainability.
Under the motto «The People First», the summit will send a signal for our values from the Swiss capital each year. Forward-looking ideas will be discussed with thought leaders from around the world, in order to find answers to the global societal transformations taking place across cultural, geopolitical and economic spheres.
The summit aims to offer comprehensive responses to the most pressing questions of our time, to forge closer links between business, science and politics, and to highlight the existential importance of cultural identity and freedom for human wellbeing.
As a globally engaged initiative, it will chart pathways for how democracies can be strengthened through collaboration and innovation to create a positive, sustainable future that promotes peace, security and equal opportunity.
Conceptually and organisationally, the event builds on the two «Gala de Berne», which brought a wide cultural impact and international attention to the federal capital of Switzerland in 2012 and 2013.
The first «Gala de Berne» was held to mark the 50th anniversary of «Dr. No», the first film in the James Bond series. The guest of honour was Swiss Hollywood actress Ursula Andress, the legendary first Bond Girl.
At the second «Gala de Berne», H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco was honoured for his commitment to environmental protection and for the collaboration of the «Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation» with the University of Bern.
Each gala achieved extensive international media coverage with a global reach of over 100 million people, and offered an effective and informal occasion to nurture Switzerland's relationships and friendships around the world.