Swiss Wrestling Festival Faces Volunteer Crisis

The organizers of the Kilchberg Schwinget, a prestigious Swiss wrestling festival held every six years, are facing a critical shortage of volunteers, with five weeks remaining until the event. Claudia Schweizer, a member of the organizing committee, has issued a public appeal for help, highlighting the urgent need for over a hundred additional volunteers, particularly for dismantling the event infrastructure after the festivities conclude.

Schweizer points out that tasks like cleanup are often overlooked, as the excitement of the event fades and the focus shifts away from the wrestling grounds. This work is crucial, however, as the festival is held on a farm that needs to be returned to its normal state quickly. The struggle to find volunteers for the Schwinget mirrors a widespread issue across Switzerland's volunteer landscape, affecting various organizations from cultural festivals to community events.

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We are happy about every person who supports us.

This volunteer deficit raises questions about the health of Switzerland's renowned militia system, which relies heavily on citizen participation. While a 2025 study by the Chur University of Applied Sciences indicates that volunteerism remains relatively stable, with two-thirds of the population engaged, attracting younger generations to traditional roles is becoming increasingly difficult. The study also found that while fun and social interaction are key motivators, the desire for flexibility plays a significant role in people's willingness to commit their time.

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The party is long over, the selfies are taken, the view of the sawdust no longer interests anyone. Yet this work is almost more important, emphasizes the organizer Schweizer. Because in Kilchberg, wrestling takes place on a farm, and it needs the space back as quickly as possible.