Switzerland: Herdsman Wrestling, Stone Throwing and Alphorn Blowing Festival
By sandra. Filed in Family Fun, Festival, Sports, Switzerland |
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Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival
Schwingen – the Swiss form of wrestling – is very popular in Switzerland. In fact, it developed from herdsman’s pastime to elite sport. Schwingen is fought as a duel between two physically powerful competitors and has its own rules, grips and throws.
The champion wrestler is chosen at the Federal Wrestling and Alpine Festival held every 3 years. Over 250,000 visitors are expected this year in the Emmental arena. The spectacle will be accompanied by other Swiss traditions like yodeling and alphorn blowing.
Around 50,000 individuals will follow the events of the traditional Swiss sports of Schwingen (Swiss wrestling), Hornussen (a traditional team sport, which involves throwing and catching a type of puck called Hornuss) and Steinstossen (stone throw).
Location: Bern
Dates: Aug 30 -Sept 1
www.bern.com/en/region/emmental/events/schwingfest-2013
Tags: alphorn, emmenthal, grip, herdsman, hornussen, puck, schwingen, steinstossen, stone, Swiss, Switzerland, team, throw, wrestling, yodel