Library nights · Geneva
13 upcoming free programs at 5 library venues in Geneva — book clubs, talks, workshops and more. No booking for most, and nobody asks why you came on your own.
Venue by venue
Bibliothèque de Genève (5) · Les Délices (3) · Ludothèque du Petit-Saconnex (3) · La Musicale (Bibliothèque de Genève) (1) · Ludothèque 1-2-3… Planète! (1)
Historian Jean-Charles Giroud traces graphic designer Herbert Libiszewski (1897–1985), who made his name in Paris in the 1920s before returning to Switzerland and excelling at tourism posters. The talk lasts about 45 minutes, followed by an exchange with the audience; entry is free while seats last. A short lunchtime format suits a solo visit.
Cultural mediator Tiffany Sarre leads an hour-long tour of the Geneva Library at the Bastions, tracing its history from its founding in 1559 to its missions today. The tour is free and in French, with no registration needed. Guided groups make it easy to chat with fellow visitors.
In the Jeudis midi series at the Bibliothèque de Genève, graphic designer Mathilde Veuthey talks about printed design as a field for experiment, shaped by the punk energy of the 1970s and 80s. Entry is free within the available places, with about 45 minutes of talk followed by an exchange. «Mathilde Veuthey» Starts 12:15, ends about 13:00. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
In the digital humanities series of the Bibliothèque de Genève, Clarisse Bardiot of Université Rennes 2 shows how programmes, photographs and video recordings can be used to write the history of more than 2,000 Avignon Festival productions since 1947. Entry is free, open to everyone while places last, and the one-hour talk is followed by time for questions and conversation. «De la scène aux données» Starts 16:15, ends about 17:15. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
A cultural mediator leads an hour-long visit behind the scenes of the Bibliothèque de Genève in the Parc des Bastions, tracing how the library founded in 1559 has collected and passed on the city's heritage. The tour is free, in French and without registration within the limits of available places, and a small guided group is an easy, curious way to get to know Geneva on your own. «La Bibliothèque de Genève à travers le temps» Starts 18:00, ends about 19:00. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
Voltaire moved into the Villa Les Délices at 61 and wrote Candide there between 1755 and 1760. Cultural mediator Lucas Arpin leads a one-hour lunchtime visit through the philosopher's life and his Geneva years in the house that is now the Voltaire museum of the Bibliothèque de Genève. The visit is free, in French, without registration and open to everyone from age twelve, subject to space. «Voltaire, l'artisan des Lumières» Start time as published; the end time is approximate. Source: OpenAgenda public agendas via Opendatasoft — Licence Ouverte / Open Licence (Etalab).
At Les Délices, Voltaire's former home in Geneva, cultural mediator Lucas Arpin leads a free one-hour visit in French about Diderot and D'Alembert's Encyclopédie, the great publishing project of the 18th century, and Voltaire's sometimes stormy contribution to it. It is open to everyone from age 12 with no registration, within the limit of places, so it fits neatly into a lunch break alone. «Voltaire et l'Encyclopédie» Starts 12:15, ends about 13:15. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
At Les Délices, the house where Voltaire lived in Geneva, cultural mediator Lucas Arpin leads a one-hour lunchtime visit on magic and superstition seen through critical thinking. It starts from a Geneva witchcraft trial that Voltaire analysed a century later and asks what fanaticism means then and now. The visit is free, in French, open to all from age 12 and needs no registration, within the limit of available places. «Des sorcières aux Lumières: Voltaire et la superstition» Starts 12:15, ends about 13:15. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
The Petit-Saconnex toy library sets out a varied selection of board games for an evening of play, with librarians on hand to explain the rules and a few snacks. It is free with no registration. The organisers expressly invite people to come alone as well as with friends, so finding a table to join is easy.
The Petit-Saconnex toy library hosts an evening of board games from its varied collection, free and without registration, with snacks and friendly librarians to explain the games. The invitation explicitly welcomes people coming alone, with friends or with family (children from 7, under-12s accompanied). «Soirée jeux de société» Starts 19:30, ends about 22:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Ludothèque du Petit-Saconnex (open data).
The Petit-Saconnex toy library hosts an evening of board games with a varied selection, free of charge and without registration, with snacks and friendly game librarians to explain the rules. The organisers explicitly welcome people coming on their own as well as friends, colleagues and families. Sitting down at a game table is one of the simplest ways to start chatting with strangers. «Soirée jeux de société» Starts 19:30, ends about 22:30. Source: OpenAgenda — Ludothèque du Petit-Saconnex (open data).
Kumquat plays neo-traditional Irish music with fiddle, bodhrán, accordion and Irish and classical flutes, a lively set made for anyone who feels like dancing. The one-hour concert at La Musicale, the music library of the Bibliothèque de Genève, is part of its free «Quatre Saisons» series, and entry is free within the limits of available seats, perfect for an evening out alone. «Kumquat» Starts 19:00, ends about 20:00. Source: OpenAgenda — Bibliothèque de Genève (open data).
The toy library hosts five evening game nights a season for teens over 16 and adults, with staff presenting new releases and classics from the collection. Players of every level are welcome and entry is free. Games tables bring strangers together within minutes.
New in Geneva?
Phrases in the local language for your evening: Phrases for tonight · Book clubs and silent reading
Almost all of them. The 13 upcoming programs on this page are public library events in Geneva; most need no booking and no library card. Workshops with limited places say so on the official page.
Yes. Most people at library book clubs, talks and language cafés come alone, there is a host who starts the conversation, and nobody asks why you are there. Arrive a few minutes early.
Usually it is free: bring photo ID and a proof of address (a rental contract or a utility bill) to any branch. Rules differ per library, so check the branch page before you go.
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