folkmusic - Swisstamil

Yodelling Singer Nadja Räss Awarded Swiss Grand Prix for Music 2026.

Swiss yodelling singer Nadja Räss has been awarded the 2026 Swiss Grand Prix for Music, receiving one of the country’s most prestigious cultural honours along with a prize of CHF 100,000.

The Federal Office of Culture announced the award on Thursday, recognizing Räss as one of the most influential voices in Swiss yodelling and traditional folk music. At 47 years old, the singer from the canton of Schwyz has played a key role in preserving and promoting Switzerland’s alpine musical heritage.

Räss has also worked as a cultural mediator and was instrumental in supporting the inclusion of yodelling on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage last December. The jury highlighted her contribution to elevating traditional Swiss folk music on an international level.

She becomes the first folk musician ever to receive the Swiss Grand Prix for Music, marking a significant milestone for traditional music genres in Switzerland’s contemporary cultural scene.

Alongside the Grand Prix winner, ten other musicians, collectives, and institutions were also honoured this year. Among them were Geneva-based artist Flèche Love and Neuchâtel musician Louis Schild, reflecting the diversity of Switzerland’s modern music landscape.

The jury for the 2026 awards was chaired by Ticino musician and journalist Gian-Andrea Costa. The Swiss Music Awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Lausanne on September 19.

The recognition of Nadja Räss highlights the growing appreciation for traditional Swiss music and its evolving role in the country’s cultural identity.

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Swiss Federal Music Festival Opens in Biel/Bienne Despite Weather.

The Swiss Federal Music Festival has officially begun in Biel/Bienne, with thousands of musicians taking part in one of the country’s largest cultural events despite concerns over heavy rain.

The opening parade started on Thursday at around 12:30 pm after organisers made a last-minute decision to proceed. While light drizzle was reported during parts of the day, the weather also improved at times, allowing the procession to continue through the city streets.

Organisers had earlier warned that the parade could be cancelled if conditions worsened, as wind instruments such as clarinets, saxophones, and oboes are particularly vulnerable to rain damage.

The festival’s communications manager, Théo Martin, confirmed that the decision to proceed depended heavily on weather conditions, with heavy rainfall remaining the main risk factor for cancellation.

A member of the organising committee, Jean-Marc Richard, highlighted the cultural importance of the event, stating that the festival showcases the “power and energy of wind instruments” and helps challenge common stereotypes about folk music.

The Swiss Federal Music Festival brings together around 532 music societies from across Switzerland, with more than 25,000 participants competing in various categories between Thursday and Sunday.

Held approximately every five years, the event is one of Switzerland’s most significant musical gatherings, attracting large audiences and celebrating the country’s strong tradition of amateur and professional wind music ensembles.