Les marques du silence - Lausanne

Friday, July 31, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Place Saint-Laurent

Testimonials

A man recounts how he was bullied as a child and young person, and how he eventually became a bully himself. He explains that at age 43, he realized the harm he had caused; carrying that burden is incredibly heavy and difficult for him.

 

Today, he feels deep regret and suffers because of it.

 

A man shares his story of being abused and mistreated by family members between the ages of two and six, and of being moved from one care home to another. He still suffers today, noting that the lasting effects remain a part of his life.

 

A father speaks about his daughter, who was bullied at school; she is now 18 and has started an apprenticeship. He says things are better following this change, though the journey was difficult.

 

A mother describes the ordeal she is going through as she tells her daughter’s story.

 

Her daughter was the victim of gang rape, and the justice system failed to adequately address the horror she endured. The mother is overwhelmed by the pain her daughter suffered and the ongoing anguish that marks her daily life.

 

A woman shares her experience of enduring harassment, as well as physical and psychological abuse, at the hands of former romantic partners.

 

One person explains that they were a victim of racial harassment.

 

Another person suffered harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

 

A man who endured severe violence and abuse recounts the devastating psychological aftereffects; however, he is now on a path of resilience and wishes to share his story through a project aimed at helping others rebuild their lives. Dozens of accounts that say it all in just a few words:

"I’ve been through that too!"

Without saying more... yet saying it all!

It was not the painting that defined the day.
It was the stories that the silence was hiding..

On Friday, July 31, in Lausanne, something more than a mere artistic performance took place.

Something deeply human unfolded.

An all-white figure, face veiled, represented all those living in silence. Then, one by one, people came forward to leave a colored imprint.

As the minutes passed, gestures gave way to words.

Testimonies of overwhelming intensity.
Stories of violence, abuse, and harassment.
Wounds sometimes kept secret for years.

We saw people hesitate, then find the courage to speak.
We saw eyes meet, tears shed, and silences that spoke volumes.

This event reminded us of one essential truth:

When a supportive space is created, people finally dare to share what they have carried for too long.

Art does not erase wounds.

But it can open a door.
It can foster connection.
It can mark the beginning of healing.

This was just a first step.

Art & Resilience will continue these initiatives across French-speaking Switzerland to raise awareness, listen, give voice to experiences, and remind everyone that behind every statistic lies a life, a face, and a story.

Thank you to everyone who had the courage to participate, to share their stories, and to transform this moment into something greater than ourselves.

Silence rarely protects victims.
Speaking out, however, can begin the process of healing.