Geneva enshrines previously unofficial anthem in the constitution
Published: Sunday, Mar 3rd 2024, 13:20
Back to Live Feed
The song "Cé qu'è lainô" is incorporated into the constitution of the canton of Geneva as its official anthem. The previously unofficial anthem commemorates the successful defense of the city against the Savoys in 1602.
The constitutional amendment was subject to a mandatory referendum and was approved by almost 62% of voters. The results are based on postal votes, which account for almost 95% of the ballots.
The hitherto unofficial hymn of Geneva, "Cé qu'è lainô", is a song written in Franco-Provençal (Patois) with 68 verses. It tells the story of the Escalade, the attempted conquest of Geneva by the Savoys on December 12, 1602.
The song is sung at ceremonies to commemorate the Escalade, at the swearing-in of the State Council and in police schools, and is proudly sung before every home game of the Servette-Geneva football club and the Geneva-Servette ice hockey club.
Led by the SVP, the right wanted to enshrine the "Cé qu'è lainô" in the constitution in order to preserve it in its original form for posterity.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic