A sporty National Day in Parc La Grange and around the harbour

The UNHCR as guest of honour

For this edition, Ms Marie Barbey-Chappuis, Mayor of Geneva, was keen to organise a rich programme focussing on sport, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as guest of honour. This choice underlines the desire of the Mayor’s Office to shed light on the situation of millions of people forced to flee their country of origin, while also paying tribute to the work carried out by the UNHCR against the backdrop of the unprecedented crisis facing the continent of Europe.

Numerous events and the official part

The festivities will begin at 3 p.m. with numerous sports events for young and old and a wide range of culinary specialities to enjoy. The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with the official speeches and a reading of the Federal Charter of 1291, the founding act of the Swiss Confederation, and will continue at 9 p.m. with a dreamlike parade of luminous inflatable puppets. This day in the park promises to be full of excitement with a whole host of events for the public to discover.

Nathan Paulin on a slackline across the harbour!

The highpoint of the day is sure to delight thrill-seekers. From 5.30 p.m., tightrope walker Nathan Paulin will defy gravity by crossing the harbour on a slackline 50 metres above the water between les Pâquis pier and les Eaux-Vives beach (arrival around 6 p.m.). A spectacular performance which will be a first in Geneva. Not to be missed!

The programme

3 p.m.: opening of the event

• with foodtrucks, stands and bars

3 p.m. - 7 p.m.: sports events and family activities

• demonstration and participatory wrestling, hornuss – traditional sport;
• beat box demonstration and workshops, municipal police and firefighters workshops, initiation to slackline;
• climbing wall, yoga, aerobics and jogging course, make-up stand;
• drawing and painting stand for children;
• alphorn, flag spinning, yodelling, le Petit-Saconnex band;
• Geneva choir circle, parkours – the art of acrobatic movement;
• refugee welcome marquee with awareness campaign by the HCR;
• musical accompaniment throughout the day.

5.30 p.m. - 6.30 p.m.: exceptional crossing of the harbour on a slackline by tightrope walker Nathan Paulin

• Departure from les Bains des Pâquis pier;
• arrival at les Eaux-Vives beach.

7 p.m.: official part (with sign language translation)

• raising the flags;
• national anthem;
• speech by Ms Marie Barbey-Chappuis, Mayor of Geneva;
• speech by Ms Uzma Khamis Vannini, President of the Executive Council;
• speech by Mr Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees;
• reading of the Federal Charter of 1291.

9 p.m.: parade of luminous inflatable puppets

The traditional lantern procession id being replaced by a parade of illuminated inflatable figures. A magical show is guaranteed!

9 p.m. - 22.30 p.m.: concert of Hermanos Gutiérrez

At the Ella Fitzgerald Stage.

9.30 p.m. - 11.30 p.m.: Dem Gyalzzz (DJ set)

Dem Gyalzzz is a crew of three female DJs, based in Geneva. From zouk to hip-hop via afrobeat and dembow, their sets navigate between everything that makes your feet itchy. Tropical atmosphere guaranteed!

11.30 p.m.: end of the event

The traditional lantern processions and bonfires, cannot take place this year due to the ban on open-air fires in the Canton of Geneva.