100 years of Davos history
Published : 11. September 2025
The «Davoser Revue» has accompanied the cultural and social life of Davos since 1925. Founded as a sophisticated declaration of love for Davos, it remains firmly anchored in Davos' cultural landscape to this day. A look back and a look ahead.
To mark its 100th anniversary, editor Su Jost talks about the history of the revue, her personal connection, and the balancing act between tradition and the present.
The Davos Revue has been around since 1925. What prompted its founding?
«The first issue of the anniversary year is dedicated to precisely this question. Founder Jules Ferdmann – himself seriously ill with tuberculosis – wanted the revue to showcase a culturally vibrant Davos and build a bridge between locals and visitors. He also saw it as an «Anti-Magic Mountain», as he considered Thomas Mann's novel to be a distorted image. To this day, the revue remains a nuanced declaration of love for Davos.»
Which eras or events from Davos' history are particularly strongly reflected in the revue?
«The revue contains articles on almost all events in Davos' history. One gap is more noticeable: apart from a chronicle entry in 1945 on the dissolution of the NSDAP, almost any reference to National Socialism is missing from the Revue until the 1970s. However, later contributions and recollections from contemporary witnesses make the Revue an important source in this area as well.»
Could one say: Over the years, the Revue has not only recorded history, but has also written a piece of it itself?
«Absolutely. With its 100th anniversary, the Revue, with its four issues a year, is itself part of Davos' history. When a cooperative was founded for its preservation in the early 1970s, it was spoken of – not entirely immodestly – as a historic moment. The initiative for today's «Documentation Library» also came from the Revue. Thus, the Revue has not only documented history, but also written it.»
How are you personally connected to the Davos Revue?
«Davos is my home, and the Revue has accompanied it for 100 years. I had a personal connection with it early on: I met Helga Ferdmann, was a student of Kaspar Jörger (Editor's note: Helga Ferdmann's successor), and later wrote the chronicle myself. Taking over the editorship with my return to Davos feels like a double homecoming.»
How do you manage to preserve tradition while still keeping up with the times?
«My goal is to continue to position the Revue as a haven of calm in the fast-moving media world with well-founded articles. At the same time, we want to create links to the present. An important step is the digitization project for the 100th anniversary.»
What is planned for the last two issues of the anniversary series?
«The anniversary series plays with the image of a banquet table and its guests. After the Ferdmann family and the early contributors, the third issue focuses on the people and institutions that make the Revue menu possible in the first place, including the Davos AG printing company. For the winter issue, I'll just reveal this much: It will be about those celebrating and their wishes for the future.»
Anniversary Celebration at the Kulturplatz
The anniversary celebration for the 100th anniversary of the «Davoser Revue» will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Kulturplatz in Davos. Davos personalities will present their favorite issues and contributions, accompanied by music.