Etrit Hasler is one of the pioneers of slam poetry in Switzerland, and, after more than 20 years of bringing his charm and mischievous to the stage, talking fast at speeds of up to 270 words per minute and being a practically all-round host, is still an integral part of the scene. In addition to slam poetry, Etrit is director of the umbrella organisation Suisseculture Sociale and regularly works as an artistic summariser at all kinds of specialist conferences. He previously worked for a long time as a freelance journalist, including as a sports columnist for the weekly newspaper WOZ ("Football and other marginal sports", together with Pedro Lenz) and spent 16 years representing the SP as a member of the local and cantonal parliament of St. Gallen. He lives and works in Zurich.