Unexpected connections at the Peace Week closing ceremony
I originally planned to visit the Patek Philippe Museum this morning, but sometimes the universe has other ideas. While sipping my morning coffee at the hotel and checking local events, I stumbled upon something that immediately changed my plans: the Geneva Peace Week Closing Ceremony was happening today at 11:00 AM.
After yesterday's mind-expanding experience at CERN, I felt drawn to this event focused on arts and peace. The combination was irresistible - from exploring the tiniest particles of our universe to considering the human-scale challenge of building peace. I quickly finished my coffee and headed out.
From particles to peace
The Maison de la Paix is an aptly named venue - a sleek, undulating building that seems to flow like a ribbon through its surroundings. I arrived at 10:50 for the 11:00 ceremony, giving myself time to find the Auditorium Ivan Pictet and get settled.
The closing ceremony focused on "Arts and Peace Encounters" - exploring how creative expression can bridge divides and foster understanding. After yesterday's immersion in scientific collaboration at CERN, it was fascinating to see another approach to bringing people together across borders and differences.
One speaker, a musician from Lebanon, demonstrated how traditional music had been used to create dialogue between communities with historical tensions. Another presenter shared a photography project that documented everyday life in conflict zones, humanizing people often reduced to statistics in news reports.
What struck me most was the parallel between this gathering and CERN. Both brought together people from dozens of countries, working across linguistic and cultural differences toward something larger than themselves. One uses proton beams and sophisticated detectors, the other uses paintbrushes and musical instruments - but both are trying to understand our world more deeply.
Autumn in Geneva
After the ceremony ended at 12:30, I stepped outside to find the clouds had thinned, revealing patches of blue sky. The temperature had warmed to about 12°C - still cool but pleasant for walking. The trees along the pathways showed hints of yellow and orange, their leaves occasionally spiraling down in the light breeze.
I decided to walk back toward the lake, taking my time to process the morning's event. Geneva feels different today - after nearly a week here, I'm starting to develop a sense of familiarity with its streets and rhythms. The trams glide by with Swiss precision, and I've learned to anticipate the changing of traffic signals.
Reflections on 52 days
It's strange to think I've been traveling for 52 days now. Almost two months since I locked my apartment door in Kristiansand and stepped into this journey. In some ways, it feels much longer - Amsterdam seems like ages ago. In other ways, it feels like I've barely begun, with 448 days still stretching ahead of me.
Geneva has been a surprisingly meaningful stop. I came primarily for CERN, but I've found so much more - the UN's global perspective, the precise functionality of Swiss infrastructure, and today's unexpected window into peace-building work.
Sitting by the lake now, watching the Jet d'Eau spray against the clearing sky, I'm grateful for the spontaneous decision to attend the Peace Week event. Sometimes the best experiences are the unplanned ones.
Tomorrow I'll finally visit that watch museum. Or maybe something else will catch my attention. That's the beauty of this journey - each day unfolds with its own rhythm, and I'm learning to follow where it leads.
448 days to go. So many possibilities ahead.
!The Maison de la Paix building with autumn trees in the foreground The flowing architecture of Maison de la Paix against Geneva's autumn colors