City backtracks over forest dragon

(c) Jacques Baume/instagram

In Geneva, two unauthorized wooden sculptures in the forest of Saint-Jean will be spared from destruction.

The works, a bust and a four-meter-long dragon, were carved by local artist Jacques Baume directly from tree stumps, without official permission. 

Initially, the City of Geneva wanted them removed, but Environment Department head Alfonso Gomez has decided they may remain as an “exceptional measure.” 

The municipality stresses this does not set a precedent. The sculptures can stay as there’s no harm to biodiversity, and will eventually be removed if they deteriorate or obstruct future forestry work.

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play