Traditions and everyday life in SwitzerlandFestivals, family customs, favourite places and everyday traditions, written by members of Global Penfriends who live in Switzerland. Each cultural keepsake is a short note about life where they are.
38 keepsakes from Switzerland · page 1 of 2
The Schwingfestival is an event in Switzerland that takes place every 3 years. Schwingen is a national sport in Switzerland, in which two participants are on a sawdust-field and try to push their opponent into the sawdust with…
Shared by Elolfi
Graubünden is for me the most beautiful canton (a small territorial division of a country: such as ; a · one of the states of the Swiss confederation) of Switzerland. There was a voting for the most beautiful village in…
Shared by Kaya
Direct democracy or pure democracy is a form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly. This differs from the majority of currently established democracies, which are representative democracies…
Shared by discoboffi
The "Sächsilüüte" is a annual tradition in the region of Zurich, Switzerland. Once a year there are plenty of activities around the city of Zurich to mark the end of winter. A giant snowman is lit on fire, accompanied by many…
Shared by SugaYams
Each year some time in October/November, people go on a so-called "Räbeliechtli-Umzug", which literally translates to turnip parade. It is a tradition in which people hollow out turnips and then carve patterns or motifs into its…
Shared by Zoe1173
Alpine festivals also known as 'Désalpe' are local celebrations that take place across numerous villages in Switzerland at different dates during September and October. Herdsmen and women dress in traditional outfits (bredzon &…
Shared by Lonica
The first recorded carnival event in Basel was a knight's tournament in 1376. Today there are no knights but in the very early hours of the first Monday after Ash Wednesday, the people gather in the old town and silently wait for…
Shared by ClaireZachanassian
The böögg is an artificial snowman filled with wood shavings and firecrackers on a pyre, which symbolizes winter and is burned in spring on the Sechseläutenplatz. We do little bets where we say how long we think it will take…
Shared by izaaaaxoxo
Did you know that we have 4 national languauges in Switzerland? Some people (62%) speak Swiss-German (a swiss dialect that is originally a germanic language and quite close to German), some people speak French (23%), some people…
Shared by saanabanana
Every summer, many people in Bern cool off by swimming in the Aare River. After work, people pack their clothes and personal belongings in a waterproof dry bag, jump into the river, and let the current carry them home! On sunny…
Shared by n1a1
The Lucerne Seetal, or lake valley, is home to three medieval castles: Heidegg Castle (first buildings date to the 13th century), Hallwyl Castle (late 12th century) and Lenzburg Castle (early 11th century). All three castles have…
Shared by Kethachan
Switzerland is famous for its cheese making, which produces many different and delicious varieties from all over the country. Each region is proud of not only their product, but the history behind it and there are many museums…
Shared by Britmonkey
Fasnacht is a tradition in my city we celebrate it every year one week mostly in February or march, there are groups we call guggenmusik and they dress up (like on the picture) they are similar to bands every year they make new…
Shared by Jasi12
In switzerland, we celebrate the end of the winter at February, by having parades which play very loud music through the cities and dressing up.Mostly, there is a specific topic (usually political) to which people dress up. The…
Shared by Evil Goosy
Switzerland has many beautiful and diverse landscapes with breathtaking views. Whether by the water or in the mountains, there are walking/hiking trails of every difficulty and length to suit every taste! Walking/hiking is a…
Shared by Coloquinte
In my tradition we extremely love to celebrate everything, we make cakes we decorate everything we make good gifts and we do this basically every week. We kinda give someone a party but it’s kinda just so u can realise how much…
Shared by Stfu Iven
This is the castle stein. The medieval castle on the Schlossberg hill is presumed to have been built in the 11th century by the Counts of Lenzburg. When the Aargau was conquered by the Swiss in 1415, Stein Castle was captured and…
Shared by InWaterWeLive
On the 24th of December my brother my dad and I always take a long walk on the evening to search for the child of Christ. We leave the house as it is and come back to a wonderful tree and bunch of presents under it and it’s a…
Shared by Stfu Iven
There’s this small pond just outside my village where me and my friends go to regularly. It’s not like we can bathe there, the place just holds a special place in our hearts. we go pick-nicking there a lot and no one really…
Shared by ifyouretooshyletmeknow
Raclette is a Swiss Type of meal that we traditionally eat in winter (often on Silvester.) it’s melted cheese, poured over very small potatoes and eaten with toppings. You prepare it on a small table stove. It’s so fun.
Shared by JuliFrog
Wooden carvings are items made by hand (or partly by hand)often from alpine regions, using traditional skills passed down through generations. In Switzerland, they often reflect Alpine life and culture.
Shared by who.this
The Via Alpina is a 390km of hiking trails across the northern Alps. You walk through pasture lands, villages, across bridges and through forests. It is not easy but it is magnificent, and worth it.
Shared by Escuela de Vida
In the autumn the cows and heifers walk form the alps back home. We decorate them with flowers, bells and other stuff. Its a verry important thing for the familys and shows a lot of Tradition
Shared by Swissgirlie02
The best way to relax after a busy week is a little weekend getway. Switzerlnd has so many beautiful places - nature, mountains, crystal clear lakes and more! For example the Seealpsee!
Shared by sanchimm
It's tradition after the Federal fast for repentance and thanksgiving in September to break the fast with a plum tart! it's the only fruit tart i like eating.
Shared by lunarria
In Switzerland the public transport is very connected and reliable. Which is why nearly 60% of citizens over 16 own some sort of reusable ticket.
Shared by Hakunajanata
Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies in Switzerland. It is an incredible way to experience the country's diverse and breathtaking landscapes.
Shared by A2435
On 1 August we celebrate the Swiss bank holidays, with fireworks displays throughout the country and large village festivals.
Shared by Emma_mea
There are over 220 mountain dams in Switzerland. I love hiking around these beauties, like jewels nestled in the mountains.
Shared by EdelweissRoseWant to hear about life in Switzerland first-hand? Write to a penpal who lives there.
Find penpals in Switzerland
