Navigate to myswitzerland.com Quick navigation Menu Open navigation Customs and Traditions Chienbaese, Liestal HINT MUSIC ON THE ALP CUSTOMS AND SPORTS FOLK TRADITIONS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ARTS AND CRAFTS TYPICAL FOOD AND WINE Intro The Swiss have always maintained and nurtured their own local customs, and because of this, Switzerland is a country with an enormous wealth of cultural activity and living tradition. Discover living traditions Watch video Music No matter whether there is dancing taking place or not, Swiss folk music is mainly dance music. The most commonly heard musical instruments include the "Schwyzerörgeli" (accordion), the violin, bass violin, clarinet and, in certain regions, the dulcimer or Trümpi (Jew's harp). Alpine folk music developed with the unwritten transfer of skills and compositions over generations, decades and even centuries. The oldest known Kuhreihen (rounds) are from Appenzell and were recorded in 1545. The Alphorn, so typically Swiss, was originally a musical and signaling instrument used by the herdsmen and the many yodeling choirs that have been formed since the 19th century. In general, Switzerland has an extensive amateur music scene, and in virtually every village there is at least a choir or a brass band Alphorn – the sound of natural tones. With the passing of time, the alphorn almost totally disappeared as an instrument used by Swiss shepherds. It was only with the romanticism of the 19th century and the revival of folklore and tourism that the alphorn experienced a renaissance and even became a national symbol. Learn more Common.Of Alphorn – the sound of natural tones. Yodeling – it’s all in the voice. Yodeling had its origins in the call from mountain to mountain, the communication from Alp to Alp. Recognisable from the very first few notes, this Alpine music has the love for nature and home as its central themes. Learn more Common.Of Yodeling – it’s all in the voice. Folk music in Switzerland It is no longer possible to determine exactly where folk music starts and ends - music has become such an everyday matter of course that the boundaries of the individual areas are now largely blurred. Learn more Common.Of Folk music in Switzerland On the Alp Alpine farming has a long history. It is believed that the pastures above the tree line were being farmed as far back as 4,000 BC. The production of cheese in the summer enabled people to preserve milk and stockpile it for the long winter months. The practice of Alpine farming gave birth to various customs such as the festive processions up into the Alps and down from the mountains, the call to prayer, the Älplerchilbi carnival and the Chästteilet cheese sharing - traditions that have been carefully maintained to this day. From a distance, Alpine life looks romantic: cow bells, a blade of grass in the mouth, unlimited nature, sunsets over the mountain tops and candles on a wooden table. In addition, this lifestyle involves hard physical work and simplicity of life – which, in recent times, has attracted especially urban dwellers from both home and abroad. Alp cheese – treats from the Alps. Alp cheese is only produced in the summer - with milk from the cows, goats or sheep that graze on the Alpine pastures. It is only when the milk production and cheese making take place on the mountains themselves that the cheese may be called Alp cheese. Learn more Common.Of Alp cheese – treats from the Alps. Alpine life - where mountains are moved As summer approaches, thousands of herdsmen move their cows, cattle, sheep and goats up the mountains to where life depends entirely on the rhythm of nature. It may look idyllic at first glance but in reality it is really hard work. Learn more Common.Of Alpine life - where mountains are moved Heidi - a story goes around the world. With her Heidi books, Johanna Spyri did not only create international bestsellers, but she also created a romantic and ideal-typical image of Switzerland that is still widely held today. Learn more Common.Of Heidi - a story goes around the world. Customs and sports For a long time, Swiss sports customs were eclipsed by international types of sport - but recently, they have come back into their own. While regional and local sporting traditions have often been neglected, there are some sports that have enjoyed increasing popularity. Major events such as the Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival ESAF are increasing in popularity; in 2010, the festival reached a new record with 250,000 visitors and became the largest Schwingen festival ever held. It is worth noting that no additional police were needed for the maintenance of order, and the authority of the public address announcer was sufficient. At these multi-day festive occasions, athletic wrestlers, sturdy boulder throwers and strong Hornussen players gave of their best - all to the accompaniment of yodel choirs and accordion orchestras. Swiss wrestling (Schwingen) - From herdsman's pastime to elite sport. Schwingen - the Swiss form of wrestling - is very popular in Switzerland. In fact, in recent times it has experienced an upsurge. Learn more Common.Of Swiss wrestling (Schwingen) - From herdsman's pastime to elite sport. Hornussen - Where the Nouss flies from the ramp and into the playing field. At first glance, Hornussen appears to be a mixture of golf and baseball - and yet it is much more – it is a typically Swiss sport with a tradition reaching back to the 16th century. Learn more Common.Of Hornussen - Where the Nouss flies from the ramp and into the playing field. Flag throwing – under the spell of the banner. Flag throwing is a magnificent spectacle, which, when accompanied by folkloric sounds, is one of the most solemn and reverent moments of a folk festival. Learn more Common.Of Flag throwing – under the spell of the banner. Folk traditions throughout the year Switzerland has many customs that are tied to the calendar - most are of pagan origin or have a religious connection. The festivals celebrated in Switzerland differ considerably depending on the season and the region. Some are based on ancient traditions while others have emerged only recently. Many of them reflect the course of the agricultural year, such as the ringing in of the vineyard workers in spring, the Alpine ascent and descent during the summer months, and the wine festivals, the Chästeilet cheese sharing and the Älplerchilbi carnivals in autumn. Because there was less for farmers to do in winter than in other seasons, there were more celebrations and customs during this time. Even today, the expulsion of winter and of evil spirits and demons forms part of the tradition - a tradition that is linked to the numerous carnival and year-end ceremonies. Other celebrations recall historical events such as important victories in historical battles. 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. Learn more Common.Of Summer and autumn customs. Winter and spring customs - the high seasons for festivals. There are more older traditions in the winter and spring months than in the summer. This is mainly because there was always more farming work to do in the summer and the people simply had more time in the winter. Learn more Common.Of Winter and spring customs - the high seasons for festivals Events Show all 24 Nov Sarner Weihnachtsmarkt Sarnen, 24.11.2021 until 27 Nov 7. Asian Food and Culture Festival Pfäffikon SZ, 05.11. - 27.11.2021 until 28 Nov Christmas Market Huttwil Huttwil, 24.11. - 28.11.2021 until 24 Dec Lausanne Festival of Lights Lausanne, 24.11. - 24.12.2021 until 8 Dec Rassegna del piatto nostrano della Valle di Muggio - Local dish of the Muggio... Muggio, 12.11. - 08.12.2021 until 11 Dec Rencontres à Sonceboz-Sombeval Sonceboz-Sombeval, 12.09. - 11.12.2021 until 24 Dec Nativity exhibition Saas-Grund until 18 Dec 22. Altdorfer Dezembertage Altdorf, 17.11. - 18.12.2021 Arts and crafts For half a millennium the Swiss watch industry has enjoyed a good reputation. There were difficult moments - but time has never stood still. Today, 95% of Swiss watches are destined for export and the watch industry is a key export industry. The textile crafts industry also has an eventful past. A few areas, thanks to advanced technology, have enjoyed worldwide attention in haute couture, and the once popular textile handicrafts have found a niche for themselves. Many sectors of the crafts industry, such as wood sculpture, furniture painting and farmers’ ceramics are closely connected with the history of Swiss Tourism. As ambassadors, they influenced the image that countless tourists to the Alps had of Switzerland in the 19th and 20th centuries. Textile crafts The history of the textile trade in Switzerland is one of success and crisis, of a glamorous world with a shady side. Few reminders of its former glory now remain. Learn more Common.Of Textile crafts Traditional crafts – By artists and experts. The importance of arts and crafts is closely bound up with the history of tourism in many places in Switzerland, although the distinctions between trades, folk art and handicrafts are blurred. Learn more Common.Of Traditional crafts – By artists and experts. Watchmaking – on the cutting edge of time. For centuries, Switzerland has been world-renowned for its watches. This was not always the case: When mechanical timekeeping started back in the 14th century, Switzerland lagged far behind the times. Learn more Common.Of Watchmaking – on the cutting edge of time. Typical food and wine The food in Switzerland is a potpourri of influences from various countries. It combines the cuisines of its neighbours and creates from them a local cuisine with local ingredients. There are a few dishes and specialities, such as fondue, Älplermagronen and chocolate, that are typical of Switzerland, but there is no real Swiss cuisine to speak of. There is a cuisine with Bernese Platter and Bernese Rösti. A cuisine with Vaud sausage and leeks. A cuisine with St Gallen Ribelmais and whitefish from Lake Constance. The Valais is famous for its raclette, Graubünden for its Capuns, Zurich for its Geschnetzeltes, Lucerne for its Chügelipastete and Ticino for its Mortadella und Luganighe. You will find sausage everywhere – Switzerland is home to almost 350 different varieties. And that is - in terms of land area - clearly a world record. And incidentally, while not quite the world leader, the Swiss wines are well on the way there. Besides the well-known classics, Switzerland provides for unique tasting pleasure with its new types of wine and development of indigenous varieties. Typical food Culinary Switzerland is a gourmet’s paradise to be explored afresh wherever you go as the menu in addition to a modest number of national dishes mainly features regional specialities. Learn more Common.Of Typical food Typical wine Over 200 types of vine are grown in Switzerland and of these no fewer than 40 are ancient, indigenous rarities, which are found barely anywhere else in the world. Anyone who wishes to enjoy these fine wines cannot avoid visiting Switzerland as only 1 – 2% of Swiss wines are exported. Small vineyards and steep hillside locations complicate and limit production. Therefore the focus is on quality rather than quantity – a fact born out by a variety of awards. Learn more Common.Of Typical wine From Säntis Malt to the Whisky Trek – follow the trail of the water of life The Whisky Trek will undoubtedly set the pulse racing of any whisky collector or connoisseur. In fact, you can now upgrade a hike in beautiful surroundings or multiple tours in the Alpstein by adding that something extra for whisky lovers. 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