“I’m going to Schwingfest on Sunday! There are still tickets left if you’re interested!” my new friend Regine (who I tell you has fabulous style) informed me via text with a helpful link. I promptly bought tickets as I heard about Schwingfest from one of my former colleagues and was keen to go. As best I could put it together this was basically “ye ole” Wrestlemania! What fun!

Aside…

Did you know that in the 80’s my little Dutch grandmother would watch WWF wrestling with my brothers and I when we would visit her in Holland for summer break? It’s a miracle I survived until the age of seven years old without a severe limp as I was a willing participant in being flung about like a rag doll in games of WWF pantomime. I am still, to this day, quite upset that I never got to be anyone like Hulk Hogan or Hacksaw Jim Duggan but was still body slammed and put in more sleeper hold’s than I can count and always had to play the defeated baddie. Nevertheless, I have a serious love of wrestling. If you know, you know.

Back to the main event!

We arrived at about 8:30 a.m. to Schwingfest and were thrilled to receive some solid swag! Embroidered ball caps in black and yellow, white (so cheesy they looked stylish) sunglasses were presented in nylon bags with mini pouches sweets and sticks of sunblock. Once arriving to the arena, boys and men of all ages were already competing and being cheered on as they engaged in battle. Before you think I’m speaking about grown men in multi-colored bikini bottoms and capes leaping from roped rings onto their ridiculously named opponents, I will share some facts about the ancient and gentile Swiss sport of Schwingen.

Schwingen is a type of wrestling found in Switzerland and has been a part of the Swiss cultural scene since the 13th century. Wrestlers wearing shirts of Edelweiss battle it out in perfectly formed sawdust-filled circles to be the first to flip their opponents onto their backs. In the Sägemehl or the sawdust, is where all the action happens. Matches happens within the 14-meter diameter saw dust filled ring, of which there are seven rings placed around the arena. As a ritual of respect, the winner will end a match by brushing the sawdust off the losers back. Each competitor must wear a pair of Schwinghosen (shorts), provided by the organisers, made of either dark or light thick brown material and secured with a leather belt. Competitors must with at least one hand, always hold onto the Schwinghosen of his opponent. Letting go will reset the match.

During the Schwignfest, most interestingly musical performances occurred while the wrestling went on. Traditionally customed groups played the alphorn and yoddeled. It was a bit of an odd pairing. I fully understand that my Wrestlemaina pallet has trained me to expect a mad metal guitar riff rather than yodeling but here we are. It was lovely and very calming.

Back home to finish laundry, shower and have a much-needed nap, I resolved to keep the Swiss theme of the day going by making a Swiss dish for dinner. Einsiedler Ofeturli, accompanied by a rocket salad and super sweet fresh corn. As I shared before I’m doing some thinking and will be sharing with you my self-imposed Swiss cookery challenge! Stay tuned for recipes and features from my new cookbook Globi’s Swiss Cookbook! Yes, it’s a children’s cookbook and yes, Globi is a blue cartoon bird but the book is in English and I’ve been fascinated, educated and entertained which is the best I can hope for on most days!

Please leave a comment about where you’re heading to next! I’d love to know and get some inspiration. You never know who will be inspired by your travels