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| PO Box 219 – 1211 Geneva 19 Fax: (022) 734 88 86 – Mobile: (079) 332 00 55 |
PO Box 360 – 1211 Geneva 19 Fax: (021) 626 22 56 – Mobile: (079) 449 58 64 |
“Tent of Dialogue”
Muslims meet Geneva and its people
The debates that followed the events of 11 September 2001 and 11 March 2004 have shown us the gaps that exist in the understanding of Islam, its history, its civilisation and its lived reality. In order to stem the ambiguities, conflations and prejudices that exist between Muslims and the rest of the population in Geneva and in Switzerland, it seems to us timely and urgent to set up a project combining culture, dialogue for positive and peaceful coexistence, art and gastronomy.
To this end, our two Foundations, inspired by the “Spirit of Geneva”, are organising a cultural programme in Geneva this summer as part of a “Tent of Dialogue”, conceived as a space of freedom, openness, dialogue and conviviality, open to the whole population of Geneva, for some ten days (24 June – 4 July) of fruitful and respectful exchange between diverse cultural, religious, philosophical and spiritual expressions.
The planned activities will take place under a large ceremonial tent. Culture will take the form of music, theatre, poetry and more. Dialogue for positive and peaceful coexistence will be fostered through lectures on chosen themes given by academic specialists, political leaders of the City and Canton of Geneva, civil-society actors, international civil servants from the various organisations based in Geneva, and leading figures of the different religious communities. Art will be represented by exhibitions of paintings, calligraphy, photographs, carpets and various crafts. Gastronomy will offer a taste of the various specialities of the Muslim world, in harmony with some European specialities.
This non-political project is supported by the Administrative Council of the City of Geneva, which has kindly made a plot of public land in the Parc Trembley available to us. In addition, the City of Geneva is granting a subsidy of CHF 20,000 to this cultural project.
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