International Museum of the Red Cross and Red Crescent — Attraction in Geneva

After having read so many positive comments on this place we made up our minds to visit the Red Cross Museum while our 2 day stay in Geneva. Sad to say we are disappointed to the degree. We are left with the impression that the entire organization dwells excessively on the past, reminiscing about the days of its glory and its assistance to the victims of the African conflicts between Hutu and Tutsi, as well as the wars in the former Yugoslavia—as if there were no other, more recent and equally tragic events. Not a single word is spoken about the conflicts in Syria, Yemen, or Somalia, to say nothing of Ukraine. Does this imply that the Red Cross is inactive in this regard, or that it fails to recognize its role?

One of the statements played on the museum’s screens comes from an Italian activist, who emphasizes the necessity of prosecuting war criminals. This corresponds to the story of Mladić, presented on a neighboring screen. Yet there is not a single mention of the utter impotence of international organizations when it comes to bringing today’s war criminals to justice. Putin, Netanyahu, and others of their kind ought to be stigmatized in places such as this. They are not. Has this organization distanced itself from the work of the International Tribunal in The Hague?

I initially assumed this might be an oversight, and that perhaps these issues would be addressed in the forthcoming temporary exhibition (as we viewed only the permanent one). To my astonishment, however, the next exhibition will focus on the work of an artist devoted to weaving.

In conclusion, our visit to the museum not only proved disappointing, but also left us with a sense of bitterness and the sad impression that the leadership of this organization has lost its way—an omen, perhaps, of the decline of what was once a...

One of the most memorable museum I've ever visited. Although the museum can be a bit dark and heavy to visit. So be prepared to have a walk though some of the darkest history in human history. On the other hand, I don't suggest anyone that is not prepared to visit the museum. becos personally our mood dropped sharply after the visit.

The location can be a bit hard to find, but it is walking distance from the HQ of the United Nation, only one bus stop away. It is also a nice walk when it is good whether. The museum is hidden on top of the stairs, but have visible flags outside.

The museum per se is very well organised, the jacket room and gift shop are very easy to access. Although the selection of the gift shop is less than satisfied.

Do get a audio guide, because it is so easy to use and so important. The audio guide plays automatically when you walk pass an item, and available in many different languages. So all you need to do is walk and listen. We didn't want to take the audio guide in the first place, because we only have short times in the museum. But the staff insisted and we are happy that we took them.

The museum is very interactive, the visitors can have a truly vivid experience and learn a lot about how the red cross is operated and helping people in need.

In general the museum is very educational and interactive. It walks the audience through the red cross history and everything associated with it. Even though I had little knowledge with human right to started with, I could easily get into the topic and learn about it.

Human right is a heavy topic, so be sure you are ready for it. I dont recommend visit the museum and grateful for everything red cross did, but it is heavy for a family...

In short, more a series of sombre context-free contemporary art installations than a museum as such. Go to the Botanical Park just down the road instead. It contains the original handwritten foundation document which would be interesting if there was more information about it, like the contents, the authors, etc. Instead the room it's in is mostly given over to a large concrete foot representing "dignity trampled underfoot" around which is projected a collage of war photography, with some random 'peace' quotes taken from historical documents on the walls. The WWII prisoner index cards room is initially impressive, but then... that's all it is, a few million index cards, no examples, no stories to add meaning. The Posters room would be good, if any of the posters had some explanation. The witness testimonies section could have been interesting, but here the technology doesn't really work, shifting half an inch in your seat frequently shifted to a different testimony on the headset which meant I didn't get to hear very much. The prisoner of war art is OK maybe because it's the one thing that comes with some context. There's more, but unless you are keen on somewhat blunt on-message contemporary installations, I...