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SWISS TRADITIONS

VIDEO: Watch how a giant Switzerland flag is hung on the side of a Swiss mountain

Workers mounted a gigantic Swiss flag into the side of a Swiss mountain at Säntis, as is customary for Switzerland's National Day on August 1st.

Published: 31 July 2024 16:42 CEST
VIDEO: Watch how a giant Switzerland flag is hung on the side of a Swiss mountain
The world's biggest Swiss flag hangs on the side of the mountain in Säntis. Photo credit: Santisbahn.ch

It is not only Switzerland’s, but also the world’s, largest flag.

Measuring 6,400 square metres and weighing more than 700 kg, the gigantic flag is traditionally displayed on August 1st, on the the Säntis mountain (except when the weather is bad).

It is, literally, anchored and fastened to the mountain.

On July 31st, as has been the custom since its was first hang in 2009, the flag was unfurled on the Säntis’ rocky north slope — a process documented in this video.

Though the mountain straddles the cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell, the flag is so huge, it s visible from much of eastern Switzerland.

According to the Säntis website, the flag is made from “polyamide material, which is also used as the so-called cap material for hot air balloons.”n reference to the cable car’s anniversary, the new dimensions were chosen to be 80 by 80 meters. In addition, the anIchoring and fastening of the flag to the rock was improved.

Photo: Santisbahn.ch

‘A big plus’

While this is probably the most famous Swiss flag due to its sheer size, the country’s red-and-white symbol has a long history on both the battlefields and (in more recent history) in peace time.

READ ALSO: Seven facts you should know about the Swiss flag

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SWISS TRADITIONS

Knabenschiessen: Should you go to Zurich’s shooting festival this year?

From Friday September 6th to Monday 9th, the hills around Zurich will be alive with the sound of gunfire, as Switzerland’s largest public festival, Knabenschiessen, is underway.

Published: 6 September 2024 13:16 CEST
Knabenschiessen: Should you go to Zurich's shooting festival this year?

Usually, hearing the jarring report of rifle fire is alarming — except when it resounds in Zurich on the second weekend of September.

That’s when the annual Knabenschiessen event is held and local residents know the gunfire emanates from a bunch of teenagers doing what comes naturally to nearly every Swiss, young or old: sharpshooting.

Each year at this time, the 12- to 16-year-olds gather for Switzerland’s (and possibly the world’s too) largest youth rifle competition, held at the  Albisgütli shooting range.

Translated literally, Knabenschiessen means ‘shooting boys’ in English but, to everyone’s relief, the festival does not entail shooting any boys — or anyone else, for that matter — but only designated targets.

It is, by Swiss standards, a wholesome activity.

A 17th-century tradition

This event was first mentioned in a document in 1656, when around 150 boys took part in a shooting competition known as Knaben Schiesset (‘Boys Shooting Set’).

In its present form, however, Knabenschiessen exists since 1899, when it was first organised (as it continues to be to this day) by the City of Zurich Rifle Association.

A milestone happened in 1991, when Switzerland celebrated its 700th anniversary: that year, girls have also been allowed to participate in this competition. 

Swiss ‘royalty’

Each year, a ‘king’ or ‘queen’ is crowned at the event — the teenager who is the best ‘shot’ and scores the most points.

You can see the winners of past competitions here. 

Switzerland’s gun culture

While in most other countries seeing young people with firearms would be a cause for alarm, this is not the case in Switzerland.

The Swiss learn to shoot from an early age, and develop a deep sense of responsibility toward their firearms.

This may sound like a paradox in a neutral and peace-loving country, but it is nevertheless true.

There are plenty of gun clubs throughout the country where people of all ages — including children as young as five — can hone their sharpshooting skills. These clubs are grouped under the umbrella organisation, the Swiss Target Shooting Federation. 

This may sound shocking to some but in fact, firing guns in Switzerland — whether by soldiers or civilians — is all about safety.

This US video is a humorous but nevertheless factual take on Switzerland’s gun culture.

READ ALSO: Why you might hear gunfire in your Swiss neighbourhood 

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