Bygone Switzerland without its traditional costumes and music? Hard to imagine. Colourful regional costumes, traditional everyday clothing and typically Swiss folk music are quintessential parts of old-time Switzerland and at Ballenberg, in 2010, we celebrate these traditions by making them our annual theme.

Chalet Schafroth has graced Ballenberg for close to two decades and from 2010 its doors open to visitors for the first time. You get a close-up view of the fascinating world of its well-to-do, 19th-century inhabitants, learn more about the origins of Swiss regional costumes and how they’re made, and you’ll see and hear a variety of musical instruments used in Swiss folk music.

But there’s more: Music and regional costumes are featured at many events, and you’ll be able to watch demonstrations of traditional handcrafts that reflect our annual theme.

Sat, May 8: Opening of the exhibition entitled Swiss traditions: chalets - costumes - folk music

Sun, May 9: Traditional costumes and dancing from different parts of Switzerland

Sun, May 30: Day of traditional folk music from North-West Switzerland

Sat, June 12: „Trachten brauchen“ - a symposium conducted at the Ballenberg Course Centre

Sun, June 13: Day of traditional folk music from Western Switzerland

Sun, August 29: Day of traditional folk music from Central Switzerland

Sun, September 12: Day of traditional folk music from North-East Switzerland

Sat, October 2: „Neue Strömungen in der Volksmusik“ - a symposium conducted at the Ballenberg Course Centre

The exhibition "Swiss traditions: chalets - costumes - folk music" at the Burgdorf/BE house (No. 361) is open every day from May 8, 2010.