Schwingen

One of the elements of the Swiss experience that I regrettably left off my Top 10 list was tradition.  Switzerland is full of fun and interesting traditions, some observed across the country and some locally.  We try to experience as many of these as possible, for example the cow fighting I posted about in April.  In 2013 we attended Das Eidgenössische Schwing und Älplerfest (sorry, no translation possible).   A Swiss colleague encouraged me to go, telling me that for pure, concentrated Swissness this is ground zero.    It’s a sort of Swiss Olympic Games that’s held every three years, each time in a different location.   The sites are just vast open fields so for each Games an enormous temporary arena capable of seating roughly 50,000 fans is constructed.  Since considerably more than 50,000 people show up, several enormous screens are also set up in the grounds surrounding the arena.   The competition is comprised of three different events, the main being a form of wrestling called Schwingen, which takes place in a 12 meter diameter ring covered with saw dust.   The other two are  Steinstossen  and Hornussen.  Steinstossen involves the throwing of a small boulder weighing 83.5 kg, which is a bit more than I weigh.  The winner generally manages a hernia popping distance of about four meters.  Hornussen is difficult to describe so I won’t even try.  Imagine Quiddich without the brooms or flying.  Checkout this website if you’re interested (http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/hornussen-where-the-nouss-flies-from-the-ramp-and-into-the-playing-field.html).   The main event, however, is clearly Schwingen.  As with cow fighting, the winner receives no cash.  Just more glory than you can shake an alpenhorn at and a giant pile of dry goods donated by sponsors who are nevertheless not permitted to advertise.  Washing machines.  Lawnmowers.  Furniture.  Tools.  Livestock.  Sort of like the winners of 70’s game shows in the US (plus farm animals).  The event will be held this summer so make your plans to attend.  Pure, distilled Swissness taking place in Estavayer (Canton Fribourg) from August 26^th to 28^th.  Don’t miss it.