Out & About in Switzerland: Vevey passes the hat

The organisers hope spectators as well as performers will get in on the act. International Festival of Street Aritsts

The streets of the old town of Vevey on the shores of Lake Geneva are the setting for a Festival of Street Artists on August 25 and 26. Mimes, jugglers, tightrope walkers and fire-eaters will be competing for coveted "cobblestones".

Local shopkeepers are organising the event and have appointed a jury to award the four “cobblestones”. The golden one is worth SFr1,000. There’s also a fifth prize of SFr500 awarded by the public.

Those missing out will just have to pass the hat.

Some of the acts that have entertained the crowds at previous festivals will be returning this year, but the organisers have ensured that plenty of new performers will also be on the bill.

And for the first time, budding street artists will be given their chance to work a crowd. A separate jury, this one lead by the clown doctor, Méli-Mélo, will hand out prizes for the best acts.

Of course, all of the artists will be performing under the watchful eye of the spirit of Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin spent the last 24 years of his life in Vevey, where he died. A statue erected in his memory is one of the best known landmarks of the town.

swissinfo

Out & About in Switzerland is updated regularly to keep you informed of upcoming events and which may provide a different insight into the country and its people.