The initiative was launched on March 15, the day before the Council of State announced semi-containment. Since that day, the inhabitants of the rotunda of Saint-Jean meet every evening at 6 p.m. to sing together from their respective balconies. The concert lasts a quarter of an hour. “It’s a way to create social ties from a distance,” said one tenant.
The idea was part of actions of this type carried out in Italy and Spain to counter the prevailing gloom. “Someone posted a video on the building’s WhatsApp group of residents and we said we had to do the same,” said participants.
The concept quickly found its followers. At first hesitant, the choir is growing over the days. From one song, it goes to two, then three, then four. With key choreography and window decorations on good evenings.
Enthusiasm is communicative. The choir gradually extends to the neighboring building, the one facing the rotunda. There, on the 1st floor, lives a family of musicians. A miniature orchestra was created to accompany the singers. “I do percussion, my kids play bass and guitar, and our neighbor to the ukulele,” says Martin, who also manages the sound system.
“It’s sad”
But Geneva is not Italy or Spain. Calvin’s spirit still rules the city. Monday’s concert ended with a police visit. “Two officers came up to tell us that they had received complaints from the neighborhood,” says Martin. They were nice, we weren’t amended but they suggested that we review our concept or lower the volume. “
Barely reported on the WhatsApp group of residents, the news caused an uproar. “It’s sad, we respect the sanitary and confinement rules, we only go out for fifteen minutes on our balcony to sing and here we are being put back to order,” fumes a resident.
Once anger has passed, resistance is building up. “As long as we are confined, we will not stop singing,” says Martin on the phone. The conductor is however ready to make concessions to avoid unnecessary tensions with the neighborhood: “We will lower the PA a little if necessary.” A break is also planned on Sunday. In any case, there is no question of stopping this great momentum.
Tuesday evening, the day after the police came, the singers were all loyal to the station at 6 p.m. sharp. As a tackle to the moaners, the participants sang the famous song by Simon and Garfunkel “The Sound of Silence”. Will it be enough to appease the spirits?
Increase in complaints
The case of Saint-Jean is not isolated. In general, the police are recording an increase in complaints. “Between March 23 and 30, there were more than 210 requisitions for neighborhood noise, while last year at the same period, there were less than 160,” said Silvain Guillaume-Gentil, spokesperson for the Geneva police. He specifies that “90% of these complaints concern tenants in private spaces”.
Silvain Guillaume-Gentil observes that the needs of citizens differ during this period of semi-confinement: “Some people need music to relax, while others prefer calm. Our role remains to uphold the law. ”
What does she say exactly? “Any excess of noise likely to disturb the public peace is prohibited.” It is also prohibited: “Any musical broadcast transmitted by any device on the public highway or so as to be heard on the public highway.” So there remains the agents’ margin of appreciation. And the tolerance of the neighbors.
Created: 03.31.2020, 8:05 p.m.
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