Podium discussions, readings, film evenings and a special exhibition: The FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich is set to launch its first cultural programme in July 2017. Between July and September, the museum will host more than 50 different cultural events, taking as their common theme "The six continents of football."

****Football is a cultural asset providing a rich origin of inspiration for artists and intellectuals to mine. Underpinning the new series of events at the museum are the three pillars of education, art, and history, approaching football culture from various angles. The programme has something for everyone, from football fans to culture vultures, and from young kids to their young-at-heart parents and grandparents.

"Our cultural programme will offer a platform for a wide variety of football-related topics," the museum’s director Marc Caprez explained. "We want to show people football in all its multi-faceted glory. This will enable the museum to develop into a cultural meeting point for a wide public."

Football associations around the world are grouped into six continental confederations. This first edition of the cultural programme will show the different ways in which football is organised, played and enjoyed across the globe. For example, a podium discussion with football celebrities from various continents will examine whether a uniform global football culture exists or whether different regions of the world have developed their own interpretations of football culture.

Other events include: The “SOLD OUT!” exhibition presents long-forgotten photographs of fans in Africa while in “Coach’s Corner”, former manager of the Swiss national team and two-time UEFA Champions League winner Ottmar Hitzfeld talks about tactics and mentalities. Also on offer are the twice-weekly themed tours for members of the public taking place on Tuesdays and Sundays for no additional charge.

Take a look at the cultural programme brochure with the full calendar of events.