Ville de Genève

Not all of the Cultural affairs department web site is translated into English. However, some sections of the site are in English, as well as French. These include the Cultural affairs department monthly newsletter, details of the city’s museums and art centres and the “Geneva in a day” se

Cultural policy

The authorities cannot claim to make everyone happy. They can, however, contribute to their happiness. Of all the various forms that contribution can take, aid for culture is one of the most important.

Of all the cities in Europe, Geneva is the one that devotes the lion’s share of its budget to culture. Over 20%. The results of this commitment can be seen in the daily profusion of shows, concerts and exhibitions on offer, all for the benefit of Geneva’s residents and, more broadly speaking, the inhabitants of our region. The benefits can, in fact, be felt deep down, no doubt on a more intimate level, one that touches on the difficult art of ‘living together’.

Forty per cent of Geneva’s population consists of foreigners. While our city and our canton both have their fair share of xenophobic pathologies, these nevertheless remain the preserve of a relatively inactive minority. Today, this privileged situation strikes me as one of the consequences linked to the social and cultural options taken by Geneva.

In this context, it is my very clear intention to develop the dialogue with all cultural players, encourage the convergence between the various publics – including the least spontaneously receptive – and the artists, and promote the work of those who display creativity and dynamism.

Culture is all about desire, pleasure and human encounters. It thus expresses a life-impulse and paves the way for a better understanding of the experiences had by our neighbours, be they near or far.

Culture is also a peaceful confrontation of worldviews and ideas, a salutary questioning of conventionalisms and rigid paradigms. It also helps us, sometimes, to become truly happy human beings. Culture is therefore, to some extent, the water of our soul. And, in Geneva, such water is plentiful.

So, may each and every one of you find something in which to slake your thirst.

Theaters in english

The Geneva English Drama Society (GEDS) and the Geneva Amateur Operatic Society (GAOS) offer plays, musicals and pantomime in english language covering a wide variety of styles and periods.

• www.geds.ch
• www.theatreinenglish.ch
• www.gaos.ch
• www.howardprod.ch

Museums and art centers

Geneva has much to offer in terms of cultural variety and quality.
Its vibrant cultural life involves many partners - public institutions, first and foremost, as well as scores of private institutions and foundations.

In presenting jointly 36 museums and arts centres, the Cultural Affairs Department of the city of Geneva seeks to underscore the contribution and importance of each of these institutions. It also proposes to highlight their wide diversity and encourage access to a vital part of local and regional cultural activity.

This publication is designed for the Geneva public as well as our city's many visitors. We trust that it will help to focus attention on a set of institutions which contribute to both the conservation of our cultural heritage and the development of contemporary art and creativity.