Fesses-tival 2025
Celebrating Eight Years of Self-Discovery and Storytelling
Returning to Geneva from October 22 to 26, Fesses-tival marks its eighth edition with a deeply personal and reflective focus. This year’s theme centers around nostalgia and intergenerational transmission, capturing the emotional and aesthetic essence of the early 2000s with a vibrant Y2K flair—think neon tones, glitter, and butterfly motifs. Helmed by Lari Medawar, Fesses-tival remains the only festival in French-speaking Switzerland that proudly centers diverse sexualities in such an affirming and celebratory space.
For artistic director Lari Medawar, this edition is especially resonant. “We created the kind of event I needed growing up,” they share. From its early beginnings, the festival has been a transformative journey for Medawar: “Fesses-tival gave me permission to live, rather than simply survive.” Growing up in a period marked by instability and marginalization, they now see the festival as a space for collective safety, self-expression, and emotional repair.
REGENERATION: A Radical Celebration of Healing and Memory
Hosted on the second floor of Maison Saint-Gervais from October 22 through November 6, the REGENERATION exhibition offers a multidimensional exploration of the body, disability, sexual wellness, and HIV. Bringing together a dynamic roster of artists from varied backgrounds, the exhibition investigates what it means to embody healing through the lenses of queer and crip culture. Through sculpture, film, illustration, and live performance, artists delve into personal and collective narratives of survival and transformation.
Featured artists include Vinicius Couto, Théophylle DCX, and Brian Montshiwa. The exhibition opens on Wednesday, October 22, with a special evening event from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., including three live performances beginning at 6:30 p.m.
An Inclusive Program of Over 30 Events
Beyond the core exhibition, Fesses-tival will offer an expansive, five-day lineup of more than thirty engaging events—ranging from performances and film screenings to hands-on workshops, concerts, and thoughtful discussions. Program highlights include Théophylle DCX’s provocative performance Do Angels Get Hard?, the colorful and dynamic Bal des Putxs, and the beloved Fesses-Market, organized by the Saint-Valentin du Q collective.
However, it’s important to note that two scheduled events—QFC: The Fist-Food of Pleasure and Bleu Brut—have been canceled.
A Vital and Singular Platform in the Region
In the wake of the closure of the Festival of Affects, Genres, and Sexualities (FDS) after eleven editions, Fesses-tival now stands as the last active platform in French-speaking Switzerland dedicated to exploring the intersections of identity, the body, and desire with such depth and community focus. Its mission is essential—but also delicate—relying on collective labor to maintain accessibility, inclusivity, and safety for all attendees.
Open to all on a pay-what-you-can basis, the festival features accessible rest zones and a range of accommodations that support both physical and intellectual accessibility. Fesses-tival doesn’t just celebrate difference—it fosters a culture grounded in care, connection, and shared experience, where art becomes a vehicle for healing, remembrance, and queer joy.