Anchoring Geneva's international identity
Artwork ‘The Spirit of Geneva’
As part of its anniversary celebrations, the Foundation will give Geneva a piece of art that symbolises the Spirit of Geneva. At a time when multilateralism is being challenged, the sculpture will anchor our city’s international identity in its heritage. It will raise awareness among locals and visitors about Geneva’s openness to the world, its tradition of hospitality and its role in global affairs. The artwork will be installed in autumn 2026 in a symbolic location that reflects the values it represents.
The Spirit of Geneva
The Spirit of Geneva is a set of values of humanism and social justice upheld by various historical figures, authors and international organisations associated with Geneva.
As a leading centre for global governance, Geneva has been a symbol of openness to the world since the 16th century, when a large Protestant population came to seek refuge and prosperity there. The creation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the signing of the first Geneva Convention in 1864 established the foundations of humanitarian law and gave the city a truly international vocation.
Today, Geneva hosts more than 460 NGOs, 41 international organisations and 184 states represented by permanent missions. It is a unique model of universality, encouraging dialogue and cooperation in a stable and neutral location.
A Geneva artist with international recognition
The Fondation pour Genève has appointed Sylvie Fleury to lead this project. Since the 1990s, Sylvie Fleury has received numerous awards, including the Swiss Grand Art Prize and the Meret Oppenheim Prize in 2018. In her view, sculpture is symbolically united with space, just as a museum is united with its visitors. One cannot exist without the other. With this in mind, she explores the notion of interactions and attaches great importance to the dialogue between a work of art and its observer, offering multiple interpretations just as diverse as society itself. In this sense, her vision reflects Geneva’s cosmopolitan dimension, its diversity and the connections between the local and international communities, which coexist with their differences in the same space. Geneva is in constant interaction with the world, just as a work of art is with its audience. Sylvie Fleury’s insight will give substance to these values for the public.
Partners
The Fondation pour Genève works closely with the Fonds cantonal d’art contemporain de Genève (FCAC) and the Fonds d’art contemporain de la Ville de Genève (FMAC).
The permanent artwork will be presented to the Geneva authorities in autumn 2026 during the official opening.
