Federal traditional costume festival opens in the middle of Zurich


Keystone-SDA

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June 28, 2024 – 3:24 PM

(Keystone-SDA) The 2024 Federal Costume Festival opened on Friday afternoon at Zurich Central Station: 100,000 visitors from all over Switzerland are expected by Sunday.

Over the three days, people in traditional costumes and city residents, as well as tourists from all over the world, will meet in Zurich, said organizing committee president Max Binder. In his short welcoming speech, the former SVP National Councilor from Illnau ZH wished everyone a “happy, colorful and cozy festival.”

Denise Hintermann, President of the Swiss Traditional Costume Association, spoke of a “harmonious bond and a feeling of togetherness”. Maintaining traditions is not about keeping ashes, but about keeping the flame alive. This flame will burn until Sunday – the program includes one highlight after another.

Start with Sechseläutenmarsch

For the official start of the Federal Costume Festival (ETF), the Zurich City Band had previously played with drums in the busy, pulsating hall of Zurich Central Station – they naturally started with the Sechseläuten March.

After the two short speeches, the festival congregation, which included 26 couples in traditional costumes from all cantons, moved from the train station to St. Peter’s Church. The opening procession also passed the 13-meter-high maypole on Bahnhofstrasse, which has been announcing the traditional major event since mid-May.

Five festival sites, seven free stages

The ETF is a major event: the organizing committee estimates the budget at around 4.5 million francs. There will be performances at five different festival sites: Münsterhof, Lindenhof, Bürkliplatz, Sechseläutenplatz and in the hall of the main train station. There are also seven free stages available.

The organizers announced that at the ETF in Zurich, music and tradition can be experienced, enjoyed and helped to shape over three days. It is also intended to be a “participation festival” – so those interested can practice flag-waving or Chlefele at Bürkliplatz.

After 1939 and 1974, the city of Zurich is hosting the ETF, which takes place every twelve years, for the third time. One of the many highlights of the event is the big parade on Sunday. But the focus throughout is also on cultural exchange at the various festival sites.

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