Älplerchiuwi - October 25, 2024

As long as 400 years ago, this festival was held to give thanks for a beautiful, productive summer and an accident-free alpine season.

The Älplerchilbi is a centuries-old alpine festival at which the farmers come together after a rich alpine summer to thank God for the gifts they have received and to enjoy themselves afterwards with food, music and dancing.

Typical of the Älplerchilbi are the two savages, called Christä and Triini. They are reminiscent of ancient times, when remnants of the pagan indigenous population still lived in the mountains. They helped the newly immigrated farmers in the Alps and were invited to the Chilbi in return.

The savages romp around the village with the children and recite their sayings in rhyme on the schoolyard square in the afternoon, blurting out the sins and stupidities of the villagers. The alpine farmers and their companions in traditional costumes and the invited guests form a colorful ring behind which the people line up. The sayings are therefore public.