Excitement surrounds the water pipe, or hose, in question

Excitement surrounds the water pipe, or hose, in question

The Swiss National Wrestling and Alpine Festival (ESAF) in Mollis GL is gearing up for its next edition, attracting visitors from around the globe. This year, the festival is expected to welcome approximately 350,000 visitors, a testament to its growing popularity.

The ESAF offers a unique blend of traditional Swiss culture and modern entertainment, featuring events such as wrestling, stone throwing, yodeling, alphorn blowing, and folk groups. The colossal wooden moose, the festival's beloved mascot, is a sight to behold.

With approximately 12,000 parking spaces and nearly 700 toilets available for visitors, logistics are well taken care of. The ESAF 2025 website provides all necessary information for those planning to attend.

The sport of Schwingen, the traditional Swiss wrestling, is at the heart of the festival. According to sports historian Michael Jucker, head of Swiss Sports History at the University of Lucerne, the rise of Schwingen in the mainstream has made the association more open and diverse. Jucker attributes the rise of the ESAF to two developments: the rise of the Swissness idea as a counter-trend to globalization and increased media coverage.

Christian Stucki, the ESAF winner and Swiss wrestling king of 2019, will be joining as a TV expert for the first time. Stucki, who belongs to the second smallest Bernese association, believes Schwingen to be a very friendly sport. He also reassures parents that concerns about their children participating in Schwingen are unnecessary.

In the world of Schwingen, competition is fierce, with sports like Unihockey, football, and volleyball vying for attention. However, the spotlight is on Sinisha Lüscher, who aims to be the first black Schwingen king. Meanwhile, Curdin Orlik, the Schwingen Champion, made headlines five years ago when he came out as gay, setting a powerful example for others.

The estimated budget for this year's ESAF is 35 to 40 million Swiss francs. Visitors are expected to consume around 450,000 sausages and drink 270,000 liters of beer during the festival.

Originally, urban hoteliers promoted wrestling events, and today, the sport is more accessible to an urban audience, according to Jucker. Whether you're a fan of traditional Swiss culture or simply looking for a unique festival experience, the ESAF promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Swiss tradition.