Crazy Zürich

To tell the truth, I was thinking of Switzerland as such a conservative country both positive and negative way. People like to wear black, foreigners are not always welcome and obviously insisting not to join EU. But this weekend, my prejudice are 90% wiped out! Switzerland, especially Zürich is not conservative at all. The city showed me it's full power and how open they are!! It was Zürich Festival take place only once in a year like Olympic:)

I was walking down the ordinary way but suddenly heard music from nowhere. I just realized that there is a stereo hang everywhere in the city. And in front of me war people people people,,, No cars, no trams, just many people!

In stead of trams, there is a toy tram machine:)

Many shops are stand in line along the street. I smelled grill wherever I go.

What's great about Zürich Festival is performance. It was of course surprising how endless these food stands and shops are continue but same time, I encounter amazing performance every where.

The above photo is a professional divers who jumped in to the lake from 30m high. As I walk down the street along the lake, enjoying international food stands, I encounter another interesting game. It's cayak polo! Just like basketball but with cayak. It was against Holland and Spain. Holland are so agressive and and precise in strategy! Sometime the cayak flipped upside down!

Not Only in the water but also performance will be found in the sky.


A beautiful show of planes held by professional Checks group. Team leader was a woman. Performance in the sky was also held by super cool helicopter which done crazy back spring. On the ground give it more.

This is a beach football. Tough men are running around on the sand. So exciting to see it in front of you. All of the sudden, I found something exactly like circus.

Crazy balance on the bar... Everything is possible in Zurich during the festival.

Another good point in Zurich! Not only adults but kids can also fully enjoy the festival. Beautiful calm park turned in as a kid's paradise!

This one is motor bike performer. Thrilling performance was held with group of four tough men.

This guy is hardly holding his bike while in the air!!

Even the financial big company was an element of festival. It was colored like crazy. Just by light... Not real paint. What's good about Zürich Festival is that people can really find a way to enjoy personally. The highlight of the festival is fireworks start from 10.30pm. In Japan, in such a special occasion, people are eager to find the best position and squeeze each others. However, here in Zürich, there are no hassle like that.

Here, normally people can swim into the lake, laid down on the grass and relax. This day, it was specially arranged as a place to watch fireworks.

You can get a food like this.

After a meal, wait for the fireworks for a while, chilling on the sands. With blanket, we could lay down on the sand and relax. I was munching ice cream for dessert. How luxurious way to enjoy fireworks!

Then came fireworks! Ok, I was REALLY impressed! In Japan, fireworks is one of the biggest event in summer for every cities. I went to see fireworks many times. However, here in Switzerland, it was completely another different art. First of all, music is played (live) background and fireworks is collaborating with it. Also, the base was fixed four places on the lake. Therefore, entire outlook of fireworks is wide. In Japan, the base is only one so the outlook is more narrow. Fireworks in Switzerland indeed light up entire of the sky. The variety was also more than that of Japan. In climax, hundreds of firework were shoot up and was like a thousands of sunflowers bloomed in the night sky! People are all overwhelmed by this beautiful art. Some goes home but many remain in the city for more party. The city itself was like a disco club. Whenever music play convert to dancing hall. It went until morning and continue over the weekend.