Fans celebrate Swiss musical traditions
Traditional music lovers gathered in central Switzerland this weekend for the country’s largest music festival - now in its tenth year.
The popular celebration, which is organised every four years, was attended by Economics Minister Doris Leuthard, who gave a speech calling for a society built on modernity anchored in tradition.
Some 300 groups (2,800 musicians) of all ages from across the country attended the festival in Stans, canton Nidwalden, to present their different styles of music and take part in various competitions.
The organisers said that around 50,000 people had visited the festival near Lucerne since it opened a week ago.
Tradition
In her speech on Sunday, the economics minister said that those people who were able to draw on their roots were better armed to meet the challenges of the future.
“I hope that each of us remembers our past, looks after our roots and traditions, and passes these values onto the next generation,” said Leuthard.
Traditions were not just about keeping ashes but passing on the flame, she added.
“Swiss Country music, with its innovative compositions, is much more modern than many people think,” she said. “It combines tradition and innovation, with openness and tolerance.”
It’s contemporary music, “even if some people feel Swiss country music doesn’t meet the criteria of the kind of modern music that should be played on the radio”, she commented.
swissinfo with agencies
The federal country music festival is the most important event of its kind in Switzerland for musicians and fans of traditional Swiss music.
Groups and orchestras from throughout Switzerland meet up, present their different styles of music and take part in various competitions.
The tenth edition took place in Stans, canton Nidwalden, from September 2-9, 2007.
The festival takes place every four years. Previous events were held in Bulle (2003), Interlaken (1999) and Appenzell (1995).
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