From July 17-20, up to 600 people will head to the 26th Annual Swiss Singing and Yodeling Festival in Portland, Oregon, where they’ll yodel traditional tunes like “Baerenbiet” and “Demuni-jodel” in one of the four national languages – German, French, Italian, or Romansch.
There’s no contest or prize for the sweetest Swiss singer – instead, festival president Bob Ulrich says the only formal part of the party is the way the singers suit up.
Singing fellas will be decked out in traditional Swiss garb, including short-sleeved, black velvet jackets with embroidered Edelweiss flowers, while the women wear long black and white dresses with puffy sleeves.
Ulrich says, “It’ll definitely look and feel like you’re in Switzerland.”
While anyone is welcome at the festival, Ulrich says it’s not simple to become a stellar Swiss singer.
He says, “You gotta be born with it.”
Go to swissfest2008.asharperfocus.net for more info.
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