Basel's New Yodeling Choir Struggles to Revive a Fading Tradition
A new children's yodeling choir has launched in Basel, just in time for the Swiss National Yodeling Festival. The group aims to bring back a tradition that has faded in the city over the years. Organisers had hoped for 40 young singers but faced unexpected hurdles in recruiting members.
The choir was created to revive yodeling in Basel, where the practice has become rare. In the early 1900s, the city boasted many yodeling clubs, even within companies. The first Swiss National Yodeling Festival took place there in 1924.
Originally, planners expected 50 children to join, with 30 coming from rural Swiss regions. However, only 15 city children signed up. Convincing parents to allow their kids to participate proved harder than anticipated. The choir is led by Basel yodeler Marianne Smug and choir director Anna Eisenhut. Despite the low turnout, the children enjoy the singing and find it entertaining. They will perform at the festival in traditional costumes. Smug has also expressed hopes of keeping the choir active beyond the event.
The new choir will make its debut at the upcoming festival, showcasing a tradition that once thrived in Basel. With fewer participants than planned, the focus now rests on sustaining interest in yodeling among the city's youth. The organisers remain determined to keep the practice alive for future generations.
