12.07.2023
On 1 August, the Swiss bank holiday, the IFSC Climbing & Paraclimbing World Championships Bern 2023 will begin with the Men’s Boulder Qualification. This will be followed by the official Opening Ceremony on the Federal Square in Bern.
1 August is a special day in Switzerland. Since 1891, the founding of the country has been celebrated on this day. However, this year, Bern not only celebrates the bank holiday on the Federal Square, but also the opening of the highlight of this year’s sport climbing season – the IFSC Climbing & Paraclimbing World Championships Bern 2023.
After the festivities under the motto “Bern celebrates itself”, which highlights 175 years of Bern as a federal city, the annual lantern procession will build the bridge to the opening of the World Championships Bern 2023. The Marching Pass will arrive at the Federal Square at 7 pm, led by the “Stadtmusik Bern” (a modern brass band) and followed by the lantern procession, with the lanterns being decorated with Climbing World Championship motifs this year. Finally, people will see the athletes, who will take part in the World Championships Bern 2023.
After a speech by the Mayor of Bern Alec von Graffenried, Stefan Goerre, Central President of the Swiss Alpine Club SAC, Urs Stöcker, Head of Competitive Sports, and co-moderator of the event Nina Caprez will present the competition programme and give a preview of the entertainment highlights.
On behalf of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), President Marco Scolaris will officially open the IFSC Climbing & Paraclimbing World Championships Bern 2023.
In addition to the Stadtmusik Bern, the Opening Ceremony will be accompanied musically by alphorn artist Enrico Lenzin and, from 8 p.m., by a concert by the Bernese band “Sirens of Lesbos”.
If you want to experience sport climbing live before the Opening Ceremony, you should definitely stop by the Curling Hall Bern on the grounds of BERNEXPO. The Men’s Boulder Qualification will take place there on 1 August from 9 am onwards. By the way, admission to all qualifications is free.
Programme on the Federal Square
As of 19:00 CEST