The sunny weather contributed to the record number of visitors to the Lucerne Yodelling Festival in Switzerland from 26 to 29 June 2008. Over 350,000 people poured into the town to enjoy the traditional yodelling, alphorn and flag throwing competitions and see a wealth of national costumes. The festival takes place every three years, in a different Swiss town. Friday and Saturday saw shows with music, lights and a spectacular firework display over Lake Lucerne after darkness fell.
Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz joined the throng at the official ceremony on Sunday at the beginning of the third and final day of the Festival. In his speech he suggested that “Politicians could follow the example of yodellers and remain in harmony even while singing difficult tunes.” The Sunday afternoon finale was marked by a procession of around 50 groups from all over Switzerland parading through Lucerne’s streets.
The next festival is due to be held in Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, in 2011.