Located in a grand neo-classical building in Parc des Bastions, the Bibliothèque de Genève is the University of Geneva library. The library hosts events such as exhibitions, conferences, talks, and workshops. Noteworthy among its regular programs is the December exhibition on the history of the Escalade, and the recurring event “Les jeudis midi à l’affiche,” featuring guest speakers discussing graphic posters from the library’s collection.
Dany Gignoux (photographer) and poet Georges Haldas present a compelling dialogue between documentary photography and lyrical prose. The exhibition brings together photographs and written fragments that register everyday life in Geneva’s cafés, combining on-the-spot reportage with memory-infused “prose inspirée.” Through intimate black-and-white images and spare, evocative texts the works transfigure mundane scenes into poetic testimony, revealing social undercurrents and human tenderness. Archival materials frame this historic encounter between two generations of cultural chroniclers.
This guided visit explores the evolution of the city’s library from its foundation in the 16th century to the present, examining how collections have been assembled, conserved and transmitted across generations. It investigates the institution’s core missions—collection, preservation and public access—and discusses archival and conservation practices, curatorial decisions and the role of libraries in shaping cultural memory. Participants gain insight into how heritage is managed and why it matters for civic identity.
Dates:
Thursday 15 January, 12:15
Thursday 19 March, 18:00
Friday 8 May, 12:15
In French.
Dany Gignoux’s photographs and Georges Haldas’s accompanying texts form a poetic study of everyday life in Geneva cafés in the early 1980s.
The exhibition presents photographic images and written fragments that foreground intimate gestures, social rituals and the texture of public interiors.
Together they trace social memory and urban habit, offering a contemplative portrait of communal spaces.
Curatorial framing by Frédéric Sardet highlights the dialogue between visual and textual testimony and what it reveals about ordinary lives.
In French.
A group of students presents research into so-called ‘magical’ places in Geneva, drawing on an online map that catalogs local sites and stories.
They examine narratives, cases and urban myths that point to supernatural phenomena, the occult and the uncanny. Presentations explore historical sources, spatial patterns and cultural meanings, revealing how folklore and collective memory shape perceptions of urban space and why these stories matter for understanding local identity and heritage.
In French.
A cultural mediator experienced in heritage interpretation presents the library’s historical collections and conservation work, explaining professional roles and practical approaches to preserving written artifacts.
This session examines the history of book production, reveals behind-the-scenes conservation processes, and explores principles guiding conservators and restorers. It addresses material challenges, documentation, strategies for sustainable preservation, and promotes public access and stewardship of rare and fragile texts.
In French.
Adrien Mangili, author of Natural Magic and Free Thought, presents his research on the paradoxical influence of natural magic during the Renaissance and the seventeenth century.
He discusses how natural magic, as an explanatory rival to religion, enabled early free thinkers to reframe miracles as secret forces of nature, thereby challenging theological authority and contributing to the emergence of critical, scientific inquiry.
In French.
Event removed from your CoolAgenda.
Your password has been reset successfully. You can now log in with your new password.
We’ve sent you a password reset email to the address provided. Please check your inbox and/or spam folder.
Please check your inbox for a verification email to complete your sign-up.
