Whether they choose to arrive by funicular or take the sporty option by hiking to the top on foot, festival fans from all over the world gather on the Gurten mountain year by year. The ascent to the festival is just as important to the experience as the location on top of Bern’s local mountain and the view of the Alps. Once arrived at the hilltop, numerous concerts are spread over three different stages, with not only nationally and internationally famous groups on the main- and tent stage, but also many exciting up-and-coming talents from the Swiss music scene thrill the audience on the famous “Waldbühne” stage.
Since the first edition of the “Bern-Gurten International Folk Festival” in 1971 many things have changed. Back then the festival was far from being the big event it is today. Its organisers were not able to find a suitable lighting system for the stage and were forced to install lamps at the last minute to prevent the festival taking place in the dark! Since then the Gurtenfestival has grown significantly, but the unmistakable charm, the warm and cosy folk festival atmosphere and the relaxed ambience that Bern is known for are still deeply enrooted, just as they were back in 1971.
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