During our last trip to Europe, we went to the village of Appenzell, Switzerland. Appenzell is home to really smelly cheese, lots of cows, beautiful mountains, great beer and an interesting voting tradition. Appenzell Inner Rhoden or Appenzellerland is also the name of the very traditional canton (aka district) where the village is located. Rick Steves said, “In Appenzell's towns kids play "barn" instead of "house," while Mom and Dad watch yodeling on TV.” I think that sums it up pretty well!
We arrived in Appenzell the day before the big voting assembly. Every year, on the last Sunday of April, every man and woman of voting age gathers in the main square of Appenzell for open air voting, known as the Landsgemeinde. There is a grand parade to the main square with officials in their robes, flag bearers from every community in Appenzellerland and a marching band. Everyone who votes is dressed to the nines and the men all carry swords, which show they have the right to vote. Women received the right to vote in 1991 and they receive a slip of paper that lets them into the voting area.
It was fascinating to see the voting process and we weren’t the only people to think so based on the number of fellow tourists eating, drinking and watching the proceedings.
There was definitely a festive feeling in the air and the percentage of people in their late teens/early 20s was high. After the voting was over, it was time for everyone to let loose. Most of the restaurants and beer gardens were full of young people drinking the local Appenzeller beer and I’m sure the festivities continued long after we went to bed!
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| Swords and Suites |
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| Isabelle enjoyed the parade! |
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| Pageantry |
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| Voting in action |
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