To mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, the Italian Cultural Institute in Zurich and the Ars Pace Association, in collaboration with the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), are organizing the Concert for Peace at the Salle Communale de Plainpalais in Geneva.
The Concert—which is held under the patronage of the City of Assisi, the City of Geneva, the National Committee for the Celebration of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of St. Francis, and the Dante Alighieri Society—concludes the event “The Ascent of Francis into Dante’s Paradise,” consisting of five sessions and designed by Ars Pace to promote a new path of dialogue, culture, and peace in both Switzerland and Spain, dedicated to the figure of St. Francis whom Dante Alighieri commemorates, after his passing, in Canto XI of Paradise.
We asked Monica Baldi—the event’s creator and patron—why yet another concert for peace was being held in Geneva. «Personally – she replied – I strongly believe that cultural diplomacy is the tool for promoting the values of peace. I am well aware that the international governmental and non-governmental organizations based in Geneva also share this goal. The Ars Pace initiative is part of an institutional framework of well-developed ideas and projects for cooperation in the cause of peace, to which it adds a reflection on individual freedom in light of the experience of St. Francis».
The concert program offers a musical journey that reflects the simple and universal essence of Franciscan spirituality. In the first part, the three pieces by J. Massenet (Meditation), Bach/Gounod (Ave Maria), and F. Schubert (Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 3), interspersed with narration by Monica Baldi and Anna Rüdeberg, guide us with pure, meditative melodies to rediscover the figure of Italy’s Patron Saint. In the second part, Kreisler’s Liebesfreud presents a brief love story, followed by Fauré’s Élégie, which stands alone as a prayer in musical form, joined by F. Chopin’s Impromptu-Fantasy Op. 66—the poet of the piano—and F. Liszt’s Liebestraum No. 3. These are sublime works, capable of touching the deepest emotional chords—ranging from nostalgia to passion and contemplation—transforming music into prayer and praise. The ensemble, comprising violinist Anastasiya Petryshak, pianist Sebastiano Brusco, and cellist George Georgescu, concludes the instrumental music performance by performing S. Rachmaninoff’s Trio élégiaque No. 1 and Morricone’s Love Theme, from the film “Nuovo Cinema Paradiso,” which bids farewell to the audience, evoking love as a simple and sublime force, in perfect harmony with the Franciscan spirit. The musical program is expected to last approximately 52 minutes.
The Concert for Peace in honor of St. Francis, Patron Saint of Italy, is part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Italian Republic. It is worth noting that the works and sermons of the Poverello of Assisi also inspired Giuseppe Dossetti, a member of the Constituent Assembly, who strongly advocated for—and personally drafted—Article 11 of the Constitution, which enshrines the rejection of war as a means of aggression and dispute resolution. Instead, Italy promotes peace and justice among free nations and international organizations.
FLYER
When
October 4, 2026, Doors open: 18:15 | Concert starts: 19:00
Where
Salle communale de Plainpalais, Rue de Carouge 52, 1205 Genève
Public Transport
From Gare Cornavin (Geneva Central Station), take tram no. 18 (direction Grand-Lancy, Palettes) and get off at the Pont-d’Arve stop, 1-minute walk to the venue
Free Admission
Free admission for current members of the „Amici dell’IIC di Zurigo“ (Friends of the Italian Cultural Institute in Zurich) association. Seats are limited. A specific communication with full details will follow.
Paid Admission
For paid tickets, the purchase link will go online shortly.
Organizers
Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Zurigo (Italian Cultural Institute in Zurich) and Associazione Ars Pace in collaboration with the United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE), Heidiseum Foundation, Geneva Peace Forum.
Photography / Video Recording During the Event
Please note that photographs involving the audience are taken during our events. We take great care not to film or photograph children and minors. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please contact us by phone. Thank you.
Illustration
Elisabetta Rogai