On Saturday, September 12, 2026, the Rudolf Steiner School of Lausanne celebrated its 50th anniversary on its Bois-Genoud campus in Crissier (VD). For this school anniversary show, the organizing committee wanted an extraordinary moment, to be seen by all generations at the same time. Slackline Events A Swiss highline performance company based in Veytaux, near Montreux, strung a line from the roof of a school building, above the courtyard. The program included an afternoon crossing, narrated by a voiceover about the school's history, followed by a final surprise at night, with a chase.
In short
- Client : Rudolf Steiner School of Lausanne , a private, non-profit school (more than 300 students aged 2 to 20)
- Agency : None, direct organization with the 50th anniversary committee
- Location : Bois-Genoud campus, Crissier (Vaud), Switzerland
- Date : Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Type of event : 50th anniversary celebration of a school, open to everyone
- Services : highline show in two acts, custom voice-over, "balance discovery" area for children under 6
- Installation : wooden easel on the roof of a school building, line stretched across the courtyard
- Height : approximately 8.5 meters above ground
- Schedule : 3:00 PM (official part, with voiceover) and 8:30 PM (final surprise, at night)
- Duration : approximately fifteen minutes for the section with voice-over
- Audience : students, families, alumni, teachers and friends of the school
Objectives: to mark 50 years of history with an extraordinary moment
The Rudolf Steiner School of Lausanne wanted a special event that would bring together former students, families, and children in one place. Its history began in 1976 with two classrooms on Chemin de la Cigale in Lausanne, in a house renovated by parents. It moved to Morges in 1982, and then settled in Bois-Genoud, Crissier, in 1992.
From the initial request, the committee wanted two shows, one of which would be at night, and a story that focused on the school rather than simply showcasing a feat of skill. For Julie, president of the school committee: "50 years is quite an important anniversary. The goal was to make it a memorable occasion."
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
Context and challenges: a highline on a campus surrounded by nature
The main challenge of this aerial show in Crissier lay in the location. The Bois-Genoud campus is surrounded by tall conifers and, as the school's presentation indicates, is located in the middle of a Pro Natura reserve. The anchors therefore had to be compatible with both the buildings and the trees.
The day was also very full. The official 50th anniversary program included an official ceremony, children's activities, a photo exhibition, a circus performance, food trucks, a dance party, and a "final surprise." The highline was to be set up twice, once at nightfall, with special lighting.
Our solution: a tailor-made highline show, from the school roof to the courtyard
Slackline Events managed the project from A to Z: technical study, installation, security, artistic direction and voice-over. The site visit took place on April 24, 2026 with Bruno Toso del Valle, technical manager, who then drew up the technical proposal.
A trestle on the roof, anchors that protect the trees
On the building side, the line originates from a wooden trestle placed on the roof, resting on rubber-lined distribution pads to protect the roofing. On the forest side, the technical study combined a tractor provided by the school, a large, guyed conifer, and ground anchors. The guy wires absorb the horizontal load: the tree works almost exclusively in compression.
The main line is reinforced with a safety strap, and the performer remains permanently connected to it by a lanyard. To learn more about our method, discover our bespoke highline show for events .
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
A voiceover taken from 50 years of archives
The voiceover originated from historical research. Slackline Events He traced the school's history, from the Cicada house in 1976 to the new buildings of 2012 and 2024, then wrote four versions of the text, ranging from the most narrative to the most contemplative. The selected text was submitted to the committee on August 12, 2026, and the final recording was completed on the morning of the festival.
Timed to the minute-by-minute choreography, the text opens with "There are paths that cannot be drawn on a map" and ends with "And as long as there are children to inhabit it, the story will continue."
Two passageways and a space for toddlers
The first performance, at 3:00 PM, opened the official program. The second, at 8:30 PM, served as a final surprise, with a spotlight (a projector that follows the artist) rented from JM LOC in Lausanne.
In parallel, Slackline Events provided the equipment for a "balance discovery" area for children under 6, supervised by the school team: an autonomous version of our slackline initiation workshops .
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
Highlights: from the official part to the final surprise
At 3:00 PM, the schoolyard filled up. The artist emerged from the rooftop, sat down, stood up, and then crossed over the heads of the crowd while a voiceover narrated the school's history. In front of the tall conifers of Bois-Genoud, he performed a series of tricks: a one-handed suspension, a headstand. In the crowd, children raised their arms in unison with him.
Right after, Julie was to give her speech. Addressing the highliner, she summed up the effect of the performance: "I found it very, very difficult to go on and give my speech after you. I wanted to stay in that kind of suspended moment, outside of time. It was incredibly powerful."
At 8:30 p.m., under a late twilight sky and then in the dark, the chase followed every step above the courtyard: a final tableau to close the party.
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
Results and impact: a memory shared by all generations
Each time the story unfolded, students, parents, alumni, and teachers looked up simultaneously in the schoolyard, where daily life at the school takes place. The voiceover recounted 50 years of history without screens or lengthy speeches.
For the committee, the choice of a unique performance made all the difference. "It was even more valuable to have something out of the ordinary," explains Julie. "We've never seen anyone walk in the air here."
This format joins other anniversaries we've supported, such as the highline with voiceover for DIXI Polytool's 80th anniversary or the slackline demonstration for CAS Jaman's 150th anniversary . In the school setting, see also our slackline show at Le Rosey Institute .
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
Tips for organizing a highline show for a school's anniversary
- Start the project early. For a party in September, plan the site visit in the spring. Here, it took place almost five months in advance.
- Involve the caretaker. Access to the roof, equipment, trees, electricity: he's the one who knows the site.
- Place the show just before the speeches. The audience is already gathered and the show sets the tone.
- Tell the story of the school. Provide key dates and former locations, then have the voiceover approved by the committee.
- Plan for nighttime passage from the outset. Use spotlights or follow spots, have someone to operate them, and define a clearly marked audience area.
- Think of the little ones. A balance area on the ground allows them to try things out at their own height.
- Clarify image rights. Agree in advance on the publication of student photos.
Photo: L. Vuilleumier
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the Rudolf Steiner School of Lausanne and its 50th anniversary organizing committee for their trust, to Julie, the committee president, for her testimony, and to the school caretaker for his help on the website. Thanks also to JM LOC for his continued support and to L. Vuilleumier for the photos.
To follow the school: Steiner School Lausanne on Instagram . To watch the show again: the video on the Slackline Events YouTube channel .
Let's discuss your project
Are you planning the anniversary celebration for a school, association, or municipality in French-speaking Switzerland? Slackline Events We study the technical feasibility of your site and propose a daytime or nighttime highline performance tailored to your story. Write to us at info@slackline-events.com or browse our event case studies , including the nighttime highline between two museums in Lausanne .
Frequently asked questions: a highline show for a school's anniversary
What original entertainment could be done for a school's 50th anniversary?
A highline performance above the courtyard brings the entire audience together at the same time. For the 50th anniversary of the Rudolf Steiner School of Lausanne, Slackline Events proposed two passages: one in the afternoon with a voiceover on the history of the school, the other at night as a final surprise.
Is it possible to string a highline from the roof of a school building?
Yes, if the roof and access allow it. In Bois-Genoud, the line started from a wooden trestle placed on the roof, resting on rubber-lined distribution pads to protect the roofing material. Each installation is approved after a site inspection by our technical manager.
How does historical research inform the voice-over of a highline performance?
The research provides the dates, locations, and images of the story. For the Steiner School, Slackline Events traced the steps from 1976 to 2024, drafted four versions of the text, then submitted the selected version to the committee before registration.
Why plan two highline crossings, one during the day and one at night?
Two performances coincide with two different moments of the festivities. In the afternoon, the show opens the official part of the event in front of families. In the evening, it becomes a final, more visual surprise for those who stay for the party.
What does it take for a nighttime highline performance?
What's most important is lighting that follows the artist. For the Steiner School, Slackline Events rented a chase scene from a Lausanne rental company. A time slot after nightfall and a clearly defined public area are also required.
What balancing activity is suitable for children under 6 years old during a school festival?
A space for discovering balance on the ground, with obstacle courses and games, is well-suited to toddlers. For the Steiner School, Slackline Events The equipment was provided and the school team provided the supervision. For a version led by our instructors, see our introductory workshops .