Swiss yodelling festival draws 200,000 to Basel
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Thousands of people gathered in Basel, Switzerland for the Eidgenössisches Jodlerfest, a festival celebrating Swiss yodelling traditions.
The event, held every three years, returned to Basel after over a century and followed Unesco’s recognition of yodelling as an intangible cultural heritage in December 2025. Originally used by farmers in the Alps to communicate across valleys, yodelling is now kept alive through choirs, festivals, and performances. This year’s festival featured over 600 groups performing in churches and concert halls.
While groups received scores based on pronunciation and harmony, the festival also included spontaneous performances in public spaces, earning the nickname “yodelling jam sessions.” Visitors could also participate in workshops learning to yodel and experience other Swiss traditions like alphorn playing and flag swinging. Around 12,000 performers from Switzerland and 150 from around the world participated in the three-day event. The festival concluded with a parade showcasing brass bands, alphorn players, and yodel groups.
Organisers anticipate the next Jodlerfest will be in 2029, but regional yodelling events will continue, including the Romandy Yodelling Festival in July 2025.
