Ups And Downs: A Boy's First Taste Of Competitive Swiss Flag Throwing

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Fahnenschwingen, flag throwing, is one of the living traditions of Switzerland, together with Swiss wrestling, yodelling and alphorn playing. We met Alexander, a 15-year-old boy from the Emmental valley, who loves tinkering with engines and is passionate about the art of flag throwing. This content was published on August 23, 2025 - 11:00 8 minutes Luca Beti (text), Thomas Kern (photos)

• Deutsch de Alexander und seine Fahnentaufe Read more: Alexander und seine Fahnentauf
• Français fr Le lancer de drapeau, une tradition bien vivante Read more: Le lancer de drapeau, une tradition bien vivant
• Italiano it Alexander e il suo battesimo della bandiera Original Read more: Alexander e il suo battesimo della bandier
• 中文 zh 亚历山大和他的掷旗首秀 Read more: 亚历山大和他的掷旗首

Alexander has withdrawn to a corner with his father. He is visibly nervous. He movements are jerky, his gaze is fixed on the ceiling. It will soon be his turn to perform. At last, the master of ceremonies calls him forward, putting an end to his anxious wait.

It is 5:36pm. Alexander slings the flagpole over his shoulder and strides over to the performance area: a blue carpet with two concentric circles in the middle. His face betrays none of his inner turmoil. He grips the flagpole with his right hand, his left hand resting on his hip. The sound of yodelling can be heard in the background. Behind him hangs a large painting of a bucolic mountain landscape.

After a last glance at the position of his feet, which are perfectly centred in the smaller circle, Alexander begins his presentation. The first moves are easy and he executes them perfectly. The flag flutters in the air and passes from one hand to the other. But then, during a throw, something goes wrong: the flag slips from his grasp and falls to the ground. This lasts just a few seconds, which seem an eternity. Without batting an eyelid, the boy picks up the flag and starts waving it again.

Before Alexander and his family can set off to the Bernese Cantonal Yodelling Festival, he has to take care of his three goats. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The Wegmüller family's letterbox. Alexander inherited his enthusiasm for flag throwing from his father. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Alexander is not sure whether he appreciates the attention of the two journalists. When we ask if he is nervous, he calmly replies that he is not. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Heidi Wegmüller, Alexander's mother, helps him straighten his shirt and traditional costume tie, the Hundsbüntel. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
We find ourselves in the most beautiful landscape a flag thrower could wish for: green hills as far as the eye can see, dotted here and there with trees. The farm is isolated. To get to school every day, Alexander hops on his moped. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Alexander is nearly ready to set off. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
At Sumiswald station, Alexander meets up with his friend Yannick, who is also taking part in the flag-throwing competition. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Waiting for the shuttle service between St Stephan, where the flag-throwing competition is taking place, and Lenk, the main venue of the Bernese Cantonal Yodelling Festival. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
It is soon their turn to perform. Yannick and Alexander talk to one of the event organisers. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The painted Alpine panorama was brought from the school to decorate the flag-throwing performance area in St Stephan. The event started early in the day and Alexander and Yannick have to wait patiently: their turn will come only in late afternoon. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The three competition judges: one observes the feet, the second the body and the third the high flag throws. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Family and friends capture the flag throwers' three-minute performances on their smartphones. Afterwards, they can all look back and see what went well and what less so. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The briefcase of one of the jury members. Finding new talent, especially young people, is one of the biggest challenges facing this traditional art. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Dressed in traditional costume and wearing a cap advertising Swiss-founded agricultural machinery company Aebi. A smartphone is the accessory all teenagers have in common, regardless of their interests. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
Flag throwers can afford no slips in concentration, nor let themselves get carried away by emotion. Ideally, during the display their feet never leave the 60cm circle. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The tension is palpable, and Alexander tries to distract himself by taking a stroll through the neighbouring marquee. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
At last it is his turn. After the first throw, he deftly catches the flag. His performance is not flawless, however. The long-awaited moment is soon over and it is already time to roll up the flag. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo
The correct position at the end of a presentation. Thomas Kern / Swissinfo

He has three minutes to perform 12 different movementsExternal link , using his left and right hands alternately: Beinwelle, hoher Überschlag, Kopfwelle, Beinumschwung, offener Überwurf and so on. When the head judge utters the word“good!”, it means his allotted time is over. For a few seconds, Alexander stands still, the flag hanging horizontally beside him. He then puts it on his right shoulder and walks off the stage. The audience applauds and he gives a faint smile. Family and friends greet him with handshakes and pats on the back.“It could have been worse,” he says.

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