The Romansh language and culture. Vallader in Scuol and FESTIVALET

21 July 2025

The annual Vallader course began on July 21 in Scuol (Canton of Graubünden). The organisers, the Lia Rumantscha and the Uniun dals Grischs,  welcomed over 150 participants this year.

The Romansh language and culture are experiencing increasing interest in Switzerland and abroad. The annual National Week of the Romansh Language (Eivna rumantscha) also highlights engagement.

Courses in other Romansh idioms (Puter, Surselvan, Surmeiran, or Sutselvan) are also organised in different places in Graubünden, not only by the Lia Rumantscha but also by other organisations.

The Lia Rumantscha also assists in establishing local Romansh organisations in Switzerland. There are currently organisations in Basel, Lucerne, Bern, Winterthur, and St. Gallen/Appenzell.

That the Romansh language also lives outside Graubünden was also evident this year at the first Romansh festival outside the original language area. FESTIVALET attracted hundreds of visitors in May with music, lectures, poetry slams, documentaries, and various excellent Romansh choirs. Perhaps Romansh will one day become the Esperanto of Switzerland. They only have to figure out which idiom or Rumanstch Grischun!

The Lia Rumantscha (in collaboration with the Union dals Grischs) organises another Vallader course in St. Mustair from October 6 to 10.

(Source and further information: Lia Rumantscha)

Impressions from FESTIVALET

The participants of the Poetry Slam