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c u l t u r e

existence – I guess we ceased being
“exotic” or a “novelty” long ago. Indeed,
for over thirty years UN staffers have
been proving their literary talent and
displaying kaleidoscopic interests
from humour to satire to tragedy to
science fiction.

Synergies are always important
for authors. UNSW has gradually
built solid cooperation with PEN
International Centre Suisse romand,
the Société genevoise des écrivains,
the Société vaudoise des écrivains,
and the Association des écrivains
valaisains. We have exhibited volumes
of Ex Tempore at the Salon du livre de
Genève in Palexpo, not only on the
UN stand but also on the stand of
PEN International itself!

In the course of the 1990’s we started using computers for Our literary venture was accompanied by the conviction
formatting and scanning of pictures. The then Editor-in- that UN staffers had a vocation to promote peace through
Chief of UN Special, Claude Citon (1938-2020), helped understanding, to build bridges between peoples and
us with useful advice on how to produce the magazine, cultures. We felt inspired by the Purposes and Principles of
and Pierre Jourdan, also of UN Special, helped us with the the UN Charter, notably the promotion of human rights for
formatting. Since volume 2 every cover has been designed by all, and the commitment to save succeeding generations from
Diego Oyarzun Reyes, who also provided original drawings the scourge of war. We shared and continue to share the spirit
for the body of Ex Tempore and the logo with the distinctive of the UNESCO Constitution and of civil society initiatives,
pen. including the 1921 Charter of PEN and its emphasis on the
responsibility of authors to put literature in the service of
Among the authors of the first hour I want to thank peace and to defend the Voltairean principle of freedom of
Claude Citon, who contributed an essay “Satori” for expression and tolerance toward dissenting views.
volume one and has written for Ex Tempore ever since
and Aline Dedeyan, whose short story “the day of the UNSW continues to advocate international solidarity in and
tenth year” graced the pages of volume one and whose through our cultural diversity, and would like to be seen as
clever plays have appeared in many subsequent volumes a herald of democracy. Over the centuries many authors
of Ex Tempore. Over the years many UNSW members and musicians have shared this vision of universal peace,
contributed drawings and photos, notably Martin Andrysek, e.g. Immanuel Kant in his famous essay on Perpetual Peace,
whose artwork was much appreciated by the readership. Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Richard Strauss, who founded
the Salzburger Festspiele in 1920 (one hundred years ago!!!) to
Soon we felt the need to give our authors the opportunity to consecrate music and drama to the task of unifying nations
express themselves in public, and started convening ad hoc and cultures, expressing the ineffable in music – that highest
poetry readings, sometimes in the UN theatre room XIV but aesthetic form and vital principle of humanity’s striving for
also in rooms VIII and IX of the Palais des Nations. Since transcendence.
January 1997 we have held a literary salon at the “Villa des
Crêts”, attended annually by 40 to 70 literature lovers. On Alfred de Zayas
occasion we have held summer or autumn events in the
garden, e.g. to celebrate the 20th and 25th anniversaries of Ex
Tempore or to commemorate the passing away of Mahmoud
Darwish, a dear poet. We have also assembled in the Press
Bar – for old times sake.

The press initially showed considerable interest in our work,
as manifested in numerous articles in the Tribune de Genève,
Journal de Genève, Le Courrier, and Diva International. More
recently the media has been less receptive to our continued

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