During the summer and fall seasons various traditional events are held on Mount Rigi. These festivities feature folk music performances, gatherings of alphorn players, celebrations of costumes “Geisslechlöpfen” (a Swiss custom) Alpine Blessing ceremonies and many other activities. One renowned event is the Rigi Schwinget, a gathering that holds importance across Switzerland.
Folklore events on the Rigi
Schwingen Swiss national sport
The Rigi-Schwinget stands out as one of Switzerlands wrestling festivals gracing the Rigi Staffel every August. Wrestling, a tradition sees two athletes vying in a ring to topple their opponent onto their back.
Drawing crowds by the thousands the Rigi Wrestling and Alpine Festival offers spectators a mountain spectacle. Alongside the bouts attendees can enjoy performances and entertainment.
Esteemed for its significance the Rigi Wrestling Festival holds a place, in Swiss heritage cherished by locals and visitors alike.
Video “Schwingen” 🇨🇭 this sport only exists in Switzerland
Top pairing at the RIGI Schwingfest on July 9, 2023: Swiss Wrestling king Joel Wicki against Werner Schlegel. The 26-year-old wrestling king Joel Wicki from Sörenberg in the canton of Lucerne won the 2022 Swiss Wrestling Festival in Pratteln BL.
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Rigi Steinstossen (Stone throwing)
Stone throwing, also known as Steinstossen involves athletes throwing stones over a distance. This sport shares similarities, with weightlifting and shot putting. Of using artificial objects athletes toss natural stones.
Stone throwing at the Rigi-Schwinget
Stone throwing has a long tradition in Switzerland and is an important part of the Swiss national sport. This activity is commonly seen at regional celebrations like wrestling festivals, alpine gatherings and other cultural events.
The practice of stone throwing in Switzerland is intertwined with the heritage of the Alpine region showcasing the value placed on labor within agriculture and mountainous terrain. It necessitated not prowess. A blend of skill and technical expertise to handle heavy objects like stones and logs.
Today stone throwing continues to be a favored pastime in Switzerland, with numerous local and national competitions being held. The country hosts championships well as global contests dedicated to this unique sport.
The exact dates of the festivals held on Mount Rigi are uncertain. However historical records trace back, to 1601 mentioning that the Sennegesellschaft Arth paid 8.9 guilders for competitions like wrestling, stone throwing, running and jumping.
During the Rigi Wrestling and Alpine Festival a 50 kg stone is thrown from a stand to avoid any disputes regarding the run up lane. Qualifications start at 1;00 pm with the top six stone throwers advancing to the round after five rounds, on the wrestling grounds.
Video Rigi Steinstossen
Experience the old Swiss tradition of stone throwing…
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Rigi Nostalgia Alpine Parade
Alpine procession tradition
The alpine parade is an important tradition at the Rigi Wrestling and Alpine Festival and is a highlight of the event.
The Alpine parade symbolizes the traditional route of the Alpine dairies in spring, when the cows are brought from the valleys to the Alps. During the alpine procession, the wranglers wear their typical costumes and often carry a cowbell with them. The procession is accompanied by alphorn players playing traditional alpine music.
The alpine parade has an important symbolic meaning and is intended to emphasize the values of tradition and connection with nature. It is also an opportunity for the wrestlers to demonstrate their strength and stamina, as they often have to carry heavy alpine costumes and other objects.
Each time after the fourth round, cattle and alpine equipment are presented in a 10-minute parade on and next to the wrestling ground as part of the traditional alpine parade.
Video Nostalgia Alpine Parade on the Rigi
Alpine procession on Mount Rigi is an important part of Swiss culture and tradition…
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Rigi Alphorn Meeting
Every year, alphorn players from all over make a pilgrimage to the Rigi Staffelhöhe for this impressive event. On this day, the alphorn and the flag-waving banner are valid as a free ticket on the Rigi Railway lines.
Video alphorn meeting Rigi 2018
Let the sounds of the alphorn inspire you…
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Rigi Prayer call or Alpine blessing
The Prayer call or Alpine blessing has been practised for 500 years, particularly in the Alps of Central Switzerland. This is an old Alpine prayer that is still recited every evening after work in the Catholic Alpine regions during the summer. With the prayer call, the Alpine herdsman asks for protection from possible natural hazards. He shouts his chant through a “volle”, a wooden or tin milk funnel.
Video Rigi Prayer call
Let the prayer call inspire you…
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Geisslechlöpfen at the Rigi Schwinget
After the alpine parade and the alphorn blowing in the afternoon of the Rigi-Schwingfest, the Geisslechlöpfen traditionally takes place.
The whip cracker holds the stick firmly with both hands and swings the attached flagellum forward with a jerky movement. The tip reaches a speed that exceeds the sound and a loud bang pierces the air.
This custom is practiced during the Rigi-Schwingfest, which takes place every year. The Geisslechlöpfen is a fascinating spectacle that impresses spectators with its acoustic effect and adds to the festive atmosphere of the event. It is an important part of regional traditions and attracts both locals and visitors.
Video Geisslechlöpfen on the Rigi
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