Mesdames et Messieurs les représentantes et représentants de la communauté internationale à Genève,
Mesdames et Messieurs les représentantes et représentants des autorités fédérales, cantonales et communales,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Chers amis,
Au nom du Conseil d'Etat de la République et Canton de Genève, je vous souhaite la plus cordiale des bienvenues à ce traditionnel brunch du 1er août. Je vous remercie chaleureusement d’avoir répondu positivement à notre invitation.
A few weeks ago, the French-Swiss artist Ben died in Nice. Ben was famous for its performances and artistic work around letters and sentences. You may know some of his art: “I write, hence I am” / “Everything is possible” / “Art is everywhere”.
In Switzerland, Ben notably made the headlines in 1992, during the world’s fair of Seville. He was appointed to imagine the motto of the Swiss pavillion. The motto was: “Switzerland does not exist”. Obviously, it sparked a strong polemic.
However, he was not the first to question Switzerland’s national identity. As a matter of fact, it has often been questioned. The reason is, maybe, that our national identity is constantly in working progress. It is being built, day after day, month after month, year after year.
Sometimes, this national identity is shaken by discrepancies; between the German part and the Latin part; between the cities and the rural areas; between the lowlands and the mountains…
Switzerland is a small country, yes, but it is extremely diverse. The many languages, cultures, religions, traditions are part of its identity.
Switzerland historically exists as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. It historically exists as a symbol of alliance between the three founding cantons: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Tonight, I will be in Jussy to celebrate our national day. As some of you may know, there is a domain in Jussy, which is called La Gara. It is a vast property which belongs to the patrimony of the Canton of Geneva. At the heart of this property, a labyrinth was built by a Swiss artist from Bern: Markus Raetz.
Raetz has become famous for its anarmophic art. If you go to the Place du Rhône, you will see a big mast made of steel. At the top of it, you will see twists. From one side, you will think it is a yes. But if you go to the other side, it will be a no.
The same is valid for his sculpture Métamorphose I. From one side, you will think it is a rabbit. But if you move, it will be a human face with a hat.
Where is the truth?
In Switzerland, we find our truth in a common will to live together. We find our truth in a set of values we stand for and which were born out of our greatest differences: peace and freedom; democracy and federalism; hospitality and tolerance. Tolerance between cultures and languages, tolerance between religions and traditions.
Solidarity and balance, diversity and participation, consensus and trust, commitment and responsibility: these are also central ingredients in the recipe of Switzerland’s national identity.
Let’s be honest: it is not easy to find the perfect alchemy…
Recently, some regions of Switzerland have been affected by severe weather hazards: Zermatt, Misox, Valle Maggia. Although we do not speak the same language, although we do not share the same traditions, we have been moved by their fate…
In Geneva, where the International Geneva is a living heart of our canton, we are also moved by the uncertainties, the instabilities, the wars, natural disasters and dramas all over the world. That is why I want to seize this opportunity to underline how much we are attached and committed to the International Geneva as a capital for peace and international law.
Mesdames et Messieurs,
Notre continent a depuis longtemps été épargné par la guerre, notamment grâce au multilatéralisme et à une volonté commune d’œuvrer main dans la main. Le fracas des armes revenu aux portes de ce continent, et résonnant dans plusieurs régions du monde, nous savons que la paix est fragile. Nous avons une responsabilité particulière à œuvrer en faveur de la paix, à faciliter l’émergence et le maintien de la paix.
En ce sens, le Conseil d’Etat genevois sait combien la mise à disposition de conditions-cadres adéquates pour la Genève internationale est importante. Il s’engage à renforcer le rôle de Genève en tant que capitale mondiale du dialogue et de la coopération dans notre monde en transition, polarisé et marqué par de multiples crises cumulées. Il s’engage à perpétuer la tradition d’ouverture et la vocation internationale du canton. Il s’engage à consolider l’écosystème genevois de coopération internationale, à préserver son unicité, sa neutralité et son universalité.
And as we usually say, this national day is finally a unique opportunity to thank you for your presence and your commitment, as you are all ambassadors of Switzerland and of the International Geneva abroad.
Thank you for your attention.
Long live Switzerland, long live the International Geneva!