Alphorn the sound of natural tones.

The alphorn is regarded as a typically Swissinstrument. Th

e warm sounds of this originalinstrument are far-reaching which is probably the reason it was once used by
shepherds to communicate.

Yodeling its all in the voice.

If you tend to forget the words when you are singing, you
should try natural yodeling as this original form of
yodeling is done without words. It was only in the 19th
century that yodel choirs were formed that sang the
yodeling songs with lyrics.

Alpine life - where mountains are moved

From the end of May the herdsmen and their cattle move
up into the mountains with a great deal of fanfare. There
they spent the next 80-120 days milking, making cheese
and butter, fencing off pastures, looking for strayed
animals and much more

Flag throwing under the spell of the banner

In earlier times, a trial of strength between the herdsmen
and farmers at Alpine festivals, flag waving is now a
professional sport with strict rules and with champions
who are renowned throughout the land.

Hornussen - Where the Nouss flies from the ramp and into the
playing field.
Especially at home in the regions of Emmental, Bern,
Solothurn and Aargau, Hornussen, along with Schwingen
and stone throwing, is regarded a typical Swiss national
sport.

Swiss wrestling (Schwingen) - From herdsman's pastime to

elite sport.
In earlier times the Alpine herdsmen and farmers would
show off their strength in bouts of wrestling at festivals.
Now the sport has become professional with fixed rules
and with a national competition where the countrys
wrestling king is crowned.

Winter
and of
spring
customs
- the
highdiverse,
seasons for festivals.
The traditions
wintertime
could not
be more
with Christmas as a time of quiet contemplation
contrasting starkly with boisterous processions to drive
out demons and the cold winter weather.

Summer and autumn customs.

There are not festivals in every season all over
Switzerland - but there are festivals in every season
somewhere in Switzerland. Anyone wishing to
experience the full calendar of customs can look
forward to an exciting Tour de Suisse.