A rich artistic program and an ecological and fun village at the heart of the national holiday on August 1 | City of Geneva

Full program below

For this 2023 edition of the National Day at La Grange Parkthe Mayor of Geneva, Alfonso Gomez, wished to offer the population a rich and joyful artistic and popular programwith a special focus on the climate and its challenges.

From 3 p.m. and throughout the event, young and old are invited to participate in different events, concerts and shows. Antoine Frammery, in charge of artistic programming, took up the challenge of creating an ecological and festive village, combining humor and tradition. Human-powered rides, carousel made of recycled materials, wooden games and nature discovery workshops will delight the little ones.

During the afternoon, it will be possible to discover the vegetable garden of Orangery Theaterof participate in eco-challenges with the association Le Sablier de Cassandre or to attend the “Autostop” performance of the Compagnie du Rond-Point. The Green Spaces Service (SEVE), which manages the La Grange park on a daily basis, will offer demonstrations by tree climbers and potting workshops. Of the humorous tours places will also be offered to the public. Folk entertainment will not be outdone with yodelling, bells, accordion and flag throwing.

Lots of concerts and a giant karaoke

The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with the official ceremonyincluding the speeches of the Mayor, the President of the Municipal Council and the guests of honor, as well as the reading of the founding act of the Confederationall translated into sign language. Different shows are also on the program, with Sarclo, Les Reines Prochaines or even a giant karaoke. Evita Koné will perform on the Ella Fitzgerald stage at 9 p.m. for a concert organized in collaboration with Musiques enété. The palette of artists reflects the richness of Geneva’s diversity and gives pride of place to women as well as to different generations. A poetic wandering of stilt walkers will be one of the highlights of the event from 10 p.m.

Guests of honor, symbols of solidarity and freedom

As a capital of human rights and a city of refuge, the City of Geneva has also decided to place the national day under the sign of human rights. Zeinab Mousavi and Mana Mandegar, two Iranian women who had to flee their country following the intolerable repression conducted by the Iranian regime and who have requested asylum in Switzerland, will be the guests of honor of the event. The celebration of the National Day is thus an opportunity to make visible the situation of women who are fighting for their freedom and their lives. Two Iranian artists and an information stand of the Iranian-Swiss committee will also be present. By combining two burning current themes with a popular celebration, Alfonso Gomez wishes to show that a way of life that takes sustainability into account can be joyful, convivial and compatible with traditions. He also wanted to recall the importance of respect for human rights at a time when democracy is under attack everywhere.

A zero waste party

The concept of the party was designed to reduce its carbon impact as much as possible. Travel and the number of motorized vehicles on site have been limited, the funfair will take place almost without electricity, one of the stages will be powered by solar energy and sobriety guided the choice of the sets for the shows. In addition, in order to adapt to global warming, the layout of the premises aims to maximize shaded areas. For the first time, the event will use reusable and non-returnable dishes and a carbon balance will be carried out.

The program at La Grange park from 3 p.m.

Stage Shows

• 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Traditional Iranian music concert
• 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.: Super Super “Plouf et Replouf” Company
• 5:30 to 6:40 p.m.: Fred Blin “Are we always right”
• 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Voices of Iran
• 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Next Queens
• 9:30 p.m. to midnight: DJ Amal Alpha: Giant karaoke

Central Stage

• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Clin d’oeil folk music duo: Yodeling, bells, accordion and alphorn
• 3 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Kurt Welten & Claude Tornare: Flag throwers
• 5 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.: Orchester Corsin: Yodeling, bells, accordion and alphorn
• 7 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Official party
• 7:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.: Cercle Choral de Genève
• 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.: Sarclo & guests
• 10:45 p.m. to midnight: DJ Marauder

Backstage scene

• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Rond-Point “Autostop” Company
• 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.: Béatrice Graf & Frédéric Folmer “Improwaterproof”

Entertainment and fun fair

• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Demonstration arborist-climbers and potting workshop (SEVE)
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Swiss Food Academy and smoothie bike
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Cassandre’s Hourglass “The Wheel of Eco-Challenges”
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Face painting and drawing for children
• 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Toupine and Titanos Heili theaters (Fun fair)
• 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.: Cécile Robin and collective Füt Füt (walking around)
• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Guided return visits by Jérôme Poulain (departure from Stage Shows)
• 5 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Fifes and Drums (in wandering)

Orangery Theater

• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Visits to the TO vegetable garden by La Libellule
• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: “Little Mist” show

Ella Fitzgerald Scene

• 9 p.m.: Concert by Evita Koné

Highlights

• 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Parade of lanterns
• 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Bonfire
• 10 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.: Rêve d’Herbert (stilt walker show)

Awareness stands

• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Iranian-Swiss Unitary Committee
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “We Can Dance iT”
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Geneva Red Cross
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Carrefour addictionS
• 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: “Zero waste menstruation” device