Lucerne resounds to the sound of yodelling

More than three hundred and fifty thousand visitors poured into Lucerne this weekend to enjoy the sound of yodelling and watch traditional customs.

Helped by the sunny weather, the number of participants and spectators set a new record at the federal yodel festival, which is held every three years in a different town.

Finance Minister Hans-Rudolf Merz was among the guests at the official ceremony at the beginning of the third and final day of the Federal Yodelling Festival on Sunday.

« Politicians could learn from yodellers not to get out of tune even when singing difficult songs,” said Merz in his speech.

In the afternoon a procession of 50 different groups from all over Switzerland passed through the streets of the town to mark the end of the festival.

Other events at the festival were competitive yodelling, alphorn playing and flag tossing.

The organisers were pleased at the high standard of the competitors. More than half the yodellers and one third of the alphorn players were awarded top marks.

After dark on Friday and Saturday a show was put on with music, lights and fireworks over Lake Lucerne.

The next festival is to be held in Interlaken in 2011.