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Aug1 Swiss Natl day (Saifuddin Ismailji.Europe’s landlocked country is bestowed with a treasure trove of mother nature’s finery in the form of snowcapped mountains, alpine lakes, rivers, mountain streams, lush meadows, and health-giving water sources. Switzerland boasts Europe’s cultural diversity: German, French, and Italian—all within the country in close proximity.

The Swiss National Day on 1st August is celebrated through the 26 cantons of the country with zest and in a traditional spirit. Festivities begin a week before the auspicious day and are extended during August. Colourful parades, carnival-like atmospheres with food courts, and fireworks over the lakes and on the mountain tops symbolize national spirit and visitors and locals alike delve into a celebration of life. Following are some of the most festive places to celebrate life:

Zurich – Hub Of Swiss Festivities14-St Parade '10 Zh raw 31X46 c)Saif Ismailji

Located in north-central Switzerland at the tip of Lake Zurich, with an impressive view of the Jura mountains in the distance, Zurich is the most populated canton of Switzerland (1,55,3423 as of 2020). According to a survey conducted over the years by several credible companies, Zurich tops the list as the city with the best quality of life in the world.

The National Day celebration starts on the eve of the National Day after sunset, around 8 PM, with a spectacular fireworks display near the lake area.

On 1 August, a ceremony is held at Werdmuehleplatz. The participants in the procession wear various traditional dresses depicting Zurich folklore. The march begins from Bahnhof Quay and goes to the lakeside via Paradeplatz.

The festive spirit was prolonged during the month with the 30th edition of the Zurich Street Parade.

(Saturday, 10 August), which invites fun-loving revellers to celebrate the world’s most entertaining techno parade. The Street Parade concept sparkled off in 1992 with small groups of revellers to display freedom of expression. Parade participants have their faces and bodies tattooed or painted and their hair dyed in multi-coloured hues. The parade dances away along the Limmat Quai and is assembled by the lake area. www.streetparade.com/en/

Towards the end of August, Dorflifascht Historic Festival (Friday 23 – Sunday 25 August 2024), Zurich’s quaint district of Neiderdorf, is transformed into a lively open museum of folklore performances, traditional costumes, gastronomy treats with a touch of modern party vibe on the beats of live bands and renowned DJs.Drink Pure Fest 2016 c)Saifuddin Ismailji

“Market stalls are set up between Central and Bellevue, and many bars and stores offer special attractions for passers-by” (www.doerflifaescht.ch).

Visit: www.zuerich.com/en/visit/gay-parties-events

Recommended Hotels and Gourmet Venues:

Rhine Falls – Romancing Fire On The RocksLeukerbad 01AUG c)Saif Ismailji

The eve of the Swiss National Day celebration at the Rhine Falls is a favourite spot for visitors and locals alike. The largest in Europe, Rhine Falls is one of the most admired natural wonders, just about an hour’s train ride from Zurich. The train station at Neuhausen Am Rhine in the suburb of the canton of Schaffhausen has direct access to this magnificent waterfall. It’s wise to arrive early in the afternoon to find a convenient spot by the fall as the site is crammed with visitors after sunset for a 20-minute of spectacular fireworks over the waterfall.

Recommended Hotels and Gourmet Venues:

Nendaz (Valais) – Int’l Alphorn FestivalRhine Falls c)Saifuddin Ismailji

The bisses country, Nendaz, stages one of Switzerland’s prime traditional folklore Alphorn Festival a few days before the National Day celebrations (Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 July 2024), which promises international visitors an in-depth fascination into Valaisan culture and a traditional Swiss way of life in a spirit of everlasting love for traditional music in a gathering of more than 150 alphorn players. The festive site around the quaint quarters of Haute Nendaz and the heavenly highland Tracouet (1,009m) by the lake, the alpine destination transforms into a carnival site with all the time-honoured folklore vibes and colours, and for visitors and locals delve into performances by folk groups, dance troupe, musical groups and regional gastronomy.

While the history of the alphorn is lost over time, the earliest form can be traced back to 1555. An 11-foot “litum alpinum” consisted of two long pieces of wood curved, hollowed out, and joined with wicker. This musical instrument was used to herd livestock at Pilatus, central Switzerland. It was not until 1880 that the modern alphorn found its present sound and shape with three pieces of wood. With over 4,000 instrumentalists in Switzerland, Valais boasts 150 alphorn musicians.

www.nendazcordesalpes.ch/en/the-international-alphorn-festival-of-nendaz

Recommended Hotels and Gourmet Venues:

Zermatt (Valais) Street Party

Car-free mountain village, Zermatt ranks among the world’s top sensational ski resorts and is one of Europe’s most visited mountain places that showcase Switzerland’s highest peaks.

On the eve of Swiss National Day (Sunday, 31 July 2024), Zermatt wears a festive mood with a parade along the Bahnhof Strasse, a blend of ancient and modern Zermatt. The festive mood continues with the Folklore Festival, held from Saturday, 10 to Sunday, 11 August 2024.

Recommended Hotels and Gourmet Venues:

LEUKERBAD (VALAIS) – EUROPE’S WELLNESS CAPITAL

A hideaway in the Valais region of South Switzerland, Leukerbad wellness resort village offers the joy of life returning to your soul. On the eve of Swiss National Day, the band and performers gather at the square by Leukerbad Therme wellness resort. From here, the band parades down the adjacent lanes, and the fireworks display above the mountains creates a magical atmosphere, entering into the National Day after midnight.

Recommended Hotels and Gourmet Venues:

 

 

 

Written & Photography by Saifuddin Ismailji

 

 

 

 

 

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