The Romansh Cultural Festival FESTIVALET
7 April 2025
The Romansh language (Romontsch or Rumantsch in Graubünden, Romanisch for the rest of German-speaking Switzerland, le Romanche in French-speaking Switzerland, il Romancio in Italian) is spoken in Switzerland only in the canton of Graubünden. The term Bündnerromanisch is often used.
Origin
Romansh originates in the language of the tribes of the Raetians (they inhabited the area of present-day Graubünden and further north) and Latin during the Roman occupation (15 BC-410 AD). It is, therefore, one of the oldest living languages in Europe!
Afterwards, the language developed over a centuries-long process. Lombard dialects, the Alemannic (German) language, the immigration of (German-speaking) Walser, and French influences from Frankish and Carolingian rulers shaped the language. Rhaeto-Romance is the proud fourth language of Switzerland.
However, about a third of Romansh people live outside their language area of Graubünden nowadays. In 2021, the Federal government has already declared the promotion of the Romansh language and culture outside the Rhaeto-Romance language area a priority.
Five Romansh communities have already been established in German-speaking Switzerland as part of Lia Rumantscha’s project ‘Rumantsch en la diaspora‘, Romansh in the diaspora.
Cultural Festival FESTIVALET
The association Cultura Rumantscha en la Bassa (CRB) is organizing the Romansh cultural event FESTIVALET in Zurich on June 20 and 21. The association aims to spread the Romansh language and culture. ‘Bassa means ‘Unterland,’ referring to the area west and north of Graubünden.
FESTIVALET offers a stage to musicians from the lively and colourful Romansh pop and song music scene and the best Romansh choirs (and there are many for such a small population).
Who doesn’t know the melody of the beautiful ‘Buna not, dorma bain,’ the lovely ‘Chara lingua da la mamma,’ the melodious ‘Il bös-ch rumantsch,’ or the melancholic ‘Sch’eu füss ‘na randulina’?
The festival includes literature, a Spoken Word Performance, a film, Bündner cuisine, lectures on the fourth national language, and a family program for children.
FESTIVALET, emprim festival da cultura rumantscha
20 en 21 zercladur/June 2025
Turitg/Zurich: X-Tra Haus der Musik e Johanneskirche
Tickets ed infuormaziun: FESTIVALET
Correctura: Giuanna Egger-Maissen
