A full programme to explore the lives of trees

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As part of the Geneva, city of trees programme aimed at promoting the benefits of trees in urban areas, the Agenda 21 – Sustainable City and Parks and Gardens departments have once again joined forces with different partners to organise a range of activities for the population, this year supported by the Services industriels genevois.

“While the scorching summer has given us a very tangible reminder of the importance of the numerous roles played by our tree heritage, it also highlighted its fragility. It is crucial that we make the population aware of these issues and of the importance of protecting biodiversity,” recalls Alfonso Gomez, Executive Councillor responsible for the environment. Launched in 2021 under his impetus, the programme – this year consisting of several shows and an exploration – will be held in September and October.

Let the trees speak, whispering the invisible

In a clearing in Parc La Grange, not far from the  Jardin de roses,the public will have the chance to plunge into the fascinating world of trees through a show created by Compagnie CoBalt combining contemporary dance and original music, performed live on 7 and 11 September.

From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on 7 September, the show will be followed by a conference and discussion forum with Ms Joëlle Martinoya, founder of the Geneva-based company Forêt B, responsible for the first two micro-forests in the City of Geneva.

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 11 September, a conference and discussion forum with Mr Ernst Zürcher, Professor in Timber Sciences and writer, will bring the evening to a close.

Registrations: Let the trees speak, whispering the invisible

From root to treetop

Following the success of the 2021 edition, the suspended nets, treetop tables and giant nests of “From root to treetop” will be back on 8 and 10 September 2022 in Parc La Grange, in the beech wood at the top of the park. It is an invitation to explore the trees, as well as the plants and animals that live there, by means of secure installations and accompanied by naturalists.

Some workshops will be organised in the trees, with others held on the ground. This project is organised by the professionals of the Association Suisse des Soins aux Arbres, of Ideehaut and of La Libellule together with numerous experts in the field of flora and fauna. It is intended for anyone aged 8 and over.

On 8 September, a special “Batman is in town” visit will be organised in collaboration with the Centre de coordination ouest pour l'étude et la protection des chauves-souris. On 10 September, several talks will be held with Mr Ernst Zürcher, Professor in Timber Sciences and writer, entitled “Trees, between Earth and Sky”.

In the evening, “BRANE Project” will organise a discovery of spatialised sound pieces on the ground and in the nets. This acoustic-vegetal exploration will consist of a range of different types of content, such as recordings of the sounds made by species that can be found in Geneva and the works of the ecologist, Bruno Manser.

Mandatory registration before 7 September (free, limited places): From root to treetop. 

Furthermore, to maximise the use of these installations for specific target audiences, the City will organise 18 school trips and an afternoon for handicapped people from 9 to 16 September (the school and special groups offer is already full).

Miedka

A success this summer in several locations around Geneva, the “Miedka” show will be performed on three evenings in Parc La Grange, at 8 p.m. on 15, 16 and 17 September. This offering, created by Compagnie Zanco, consists of a theatrical journey between day and night, city and forest, wakefulness and daydream, human and animal, inspired by the account of the anthropologist Nastassja Martin and her surprise meeting with a bear.

No prior registration required (meeting at the entrance to the park).

L'homme qui plantait des arbres, or the man who planted trees

The first Miyawaki micro-forests were planted in Geneva in autumn 2021. This method makes it possible to recreate natural islands of greenery on small areas in the city. The two micro-forests were then watered in collaboration with local residents throughout the summer (Flore des Dames, on the Ferdinand Hodler mound, with 470 trees planted with the help of 53 volunteers on an area covering 220 m²; les Charmilles industrial zone, with 800 trees planted with the help of 115 volunteers on an area covering 320 m²).

Maintenance will continue for another two years until the areas are autonomous. New plantations are scheduled for the coming years, in particular on plots of land currently covered by tarmac, such as parking spaces belonging to the City.

To celebrate the first anniversary of these future havens of biodiversity, the City invites the public to attend performances of “L'homme qui plantait des arbres”, or the man who planted trees performed by Compagnie Spirale on the dates and at the locations indicated below (free, no prior registration required). The shows will be preceded by a short introduction to the Miyawaki method:

• Saturday 8 October, 2.15 p.m. - 4.30 .p.m., Salle du Conservatoire populaire, rue François-D'Ivernois 7 
• Saturday 22 October, 2.15 p.m. - 4.30 .p.m., Salle des 6 Toits, Avenue de Châtelaine 43